Gardening and Horticulture - Removing u/g vegetation prior to pouring new concrete walk

I am planning to install a new concrete walkway on the side of our building. Along the existing path overwhich the walk will be poured, there is an excessive amount of vegetation present including a great deal of Oak & Maple tree saplings. The vegetation is all unwanted and is very tenacious, especially the saplings. That is, I have removed all of it on several occassions only to find it return 1-2 weeks later. I am especially concerned that the tree saplings, which tend to grow very thick, will crack and likely destroy the walk over time.

1. What can I do to permanently destroy the weeds? When removing them in the past, I was able to pull the entire weed, including the root. This did not prevent them from returning however.

2. Are there any special techniques that I need to employ to erradicate the tree saplings?

3. How should I prepare the soil beneath the concrete to prevent damage from vegetation below?

Thanks for your help!
Jim

Hi jamckelvey Welcome to DIYs Garden Forum :)


I am planning to install a new concrete walkway on the side of our building. Along the existing path overwhich the walk will be poured, there is an excessive amount of vegetation present including a great deal of Oak & Maple tree saplings. The vegetation is all unwanted and is very tenacious, especially the saplings. That is, I have removed all of it on several occassions only to find it return 1-2 weeks later. I am especially concerned that the tree saplings, which tend to grow very thick, will crack and likely destroy the walk over time.
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I would be very concerned, about tree roots growing from a Tree growing near the new sidewalk. However I don't believe you will get enough moisture under cured cement to sustain plant life. You need tree control for this.

It sounds as if the area around the sidewalk should be planted in grass. Just having young growing trees around the new sidewalks will someday crack them. Can this area be rototilled & planted with Kentucky 31?

Marturo







1. What can I do to permanently destroy the weeds? When removing them in the past, I was able to pull the entire weed, including the root. This did not prevent them from returning however.
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I have had no trouble under Cement, or two layers of non-porous landscaping cloth covered with white gravel. Of course you must keep gravel & cement expansion cuts clean from all dirt to keep seeds from starting. Use a Landscaping cloth, make it 2 thick, & cover it with white stone, that stops most things in their tracks. You could use this on both sides of the Sidewalk, to keep trees & weeds down.

Marturo





2. Are there any special techniques that I need to employ to erradicate the tree saplings?
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You can make or buy a forked tool that is on a shovel handle, it works by cutting the root off 12 or more inches below the soil level. I don't recall the name but, it looks like a harpoon with two crossed sharks teeth. Cut's the roots way down on saplings, as well as weeds with deep long roots.

Marturo







3. How should I prepare the soil beneath the concrete to prevent damage from vegetation below?
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Your sidewalk will be how thick? 6" thick and just a little above soil say 1". Well depending on how thick your sidewalk will be, you will have a good firm base, by digging down far enough to find a form of compact clay or dirt for the sidewalk to sit in.

Theres nothing I know of, that will grow or crack a 4 or 6 inch slab if concrete growing out from under the cement.

I have broken up & dumped old sidewalk sections for the city, to install new sidewalks. The soil under the sidewalks, was as dry as soil can get. It was the large living tree roots, that cracked these sidewalks.

Marturo