Utility buried crushed stone in my yard

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Hi everyone--this summer I had a gas and water line emergency that required the utility to dig up my front yard. The line was about 4-5 feet down. Before I realized what was happening, and without asking, they filled in the repair hole about 6' long x 7' wide with crushed aggregate/rock and then plopped clay fill on top.

So now, there is clay fill/soil for the first 9" or so, and then under that is this ridiculous rock.

I would like to grow a shrub that gets maybe 6' high and wide in this area, like a viburnum. I'm considering whether to dig up this hole down to about 18" and replace with clay fill (I don't want to go down all the way to the gas line.)

My question is, how deep do the roots of a typical deciduous shrub of that size typically go? Should I go to the large trouble of digging this hole, or can I leave it as is? It occurred to me the rock might provide some drainage benefits.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

Sara Malone Zone 9b

8 years ago

They probably put rock on top (around here they use sand) so that in future, anyone digging will hit the rock and realize that there is a utility line underneath.

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Comments (8)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
whats your native soil??? .... how do you water????

i wouldnt do it .. removing the soil .. i mean ..

what shrub ... im wondering if you are planting it too close to the house ...

and im also wondering.. about planting a long term.. large shrub over your utilities.. i know the odds are long they will have to come back .... but why not leave the path to perennials ...

as to your direct question .... roots are more like a pancake.. rather than as deep as tall .... imo ... thats just not an issue .... and you are on the right track.. its more of a watering/drainage.. water management issue... with the stone ... and i dont see that as much of an issue down that deep ...

ken
PRO
Yardvaark
8 years ago
Most roots are going to be in the top 18". The deep rocks won't matter at all to whatever you plant.
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toxcrusadr
8 years ago
It's also easier to manage. Kansas City a couple years ago began requiring that ALL utility excavations be backfilled with rock rather than soil. Not sure what the reasons were for the city ordinance, but it's going around.

They should leave at least a foot IMO and it should have been your original topsoil, not clay subsoil. :-|
Joe B
Original Author
8 years ago
ken_adrian: I have heavy clay soil natively. You do make a good point about planting a large shrub over a utility line that may need to be serviced again! I water using irrigation hoses.

toxcrusadr: the utility people did say that this rock fill was required now by the city or the utility or whomever. They claimed it extends the life of the line (not sure if it's because it discourages tree roots or for some other reason). They took away all of my good topsoil :( and replaced it with maybe 9" or less of new clay subsoil. Very irritating.
UpperBayGardener (zone 7)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
"They probably put rock on top (around here they use sand) so that in future,"

"They claimed it extends the life of the line"

I find the rock part baffling, but most non metallic water lines these days (I used Endot Endopure, supposedly one of the best available) recommend a sandy or fine soil backfill, to ensure that rocks do not damage the line. I suppose if the gravel is small enough it can't cause problems.

Maybe this municipal policy is actually to ensure someone doesn't backfill with soils containing large rocks or chunks of rubble?
reesepbuttercup
8 years ago
My soil is almost all rock, lol. I don’t see much in your photos, I think you will be fine.
toxcrusadr
8 years ago
One thing about gravel is, it doesn't shrink. My neighbor's water line busted several years back due to settling of clay over 25 years. My own gas line is pulling the gas meter down toward the ground as the clay settles around the house. I need to call the gas co about that one of these days.