Root barriers and septic drain fields

I planted a river birch last summer that is probably way too close to my drain field. I'm thinking about putting a plastic root barrier between the drain field and the tree. Does anyone here have any experience doing this? How long will it have to be? Should I put it in a straight line, or slightly curved around the tree? How deep should it be? Is there a specific brand or type of barrier that is better?

In searching the Web for information, I read about putting copper sulfate in your septic to kill or prevent tree root from invading it. Is this a good idea?

Thanks,
Rob

If you were to post a picture of the site/situation, comments here could be better directed.

Absent that...any chance of just moving the tree to a location no closer than, say, 50-100 feet from the nearest lateral lines?

The barrier needs to be installed to a depth precluding any root growth past it (depending on your soil type, if sandy, could be quite a ways) and above the surface, and with no joints/laps that roots will grow through. This takes some skill.

There are reliable products that kill roots that have already invaded septic systems. Do a search of this forum for older threads that thoroughly discuss this topic.

Tree roots usually don't cause any problems with septic field lines. I have pecan and oak trees that are growing next to my field lines and there has been no problem for as long as the house has been here (33yrs). If anything the drain lines will benefit your river birch during dry spells.

Here's a picture of the situation. The maple to the left of the rock was girdled by voles two winters ago and will probably have finished up it's dying by this spring. It didn't look too good the last two summers. I'm thinking of replacing it with a paper bark maple. The river birches are 15-20 feet from the drain field. The soil is sandy under about six inches of topsoil. There is water in the ditch almost all summer long.

Escambiaguy - I've read that oaks aren't too bad near drainfields, but that trees like maples and birches (especially river birch) are bad. I just think the tree looks really good by the rock, so I ignored my better judgement and planted it anyway.

Thanks for the advice,
Rob

Do what you must (or can afford to).

If the ditch stays wet all summer...that's the place for plants that love wet feet. River birch, many great wet site showy shrubs (winterberry, summersweet, virginia sweetspire, etc.) would love it there and you could use a more diminutive and less ravenous rooted specimen where you currently have the birch. The maple you mentioned would work, as would a number of other ornamental trees of smaller form.