Tree Roots and Frustration

[jleblancjr]

I have a BH Quicksilver which works great, but sometimes when I'm out digging, I get a strong signal of "coins". As I begin to dig and dig, I come up empty handed, but the darn thing keeps saying there is something there. One day I must have dug a hole 18 inches deep by 18 inches wide and sitll nothing, but still the strong signal.

The one thing in common when this happens is each hole seems to have a tree root running across the hole. Some big roots, some small. Could a tree root be causing the detector to signal like there are coins in the hole?

When this occurs lately and I see a root, I just stop digging, but wonder if I'm missing something.

Just curious.

 

[mwaynebennett]

I too have had the same experience but without any roots. I am a mechanical engineer and have studied many topics from geology to radio to metallurgy and this phenomena stumps me.

Mark
Elite 2200
WA St.

 

[flash5153]

A metal detector will not signal because of a tree root. It might false once, on the edge, as this happens in the field where there might be a low spot. But it will not repeat. If you are getting a strong repeatable signal. There is something there, the root is a coincidence.
Your detector will pick up a gallon sized metal object at 2 - 3 feet.

 

[capt.]

I agree that the root is a coincidence. If the signal is repeating and strong, there is something there. Keep in mind that roots grow as the tree grows and that it is possible for a target to be IN the root. Good luck and HH.

capt.

 

[johnnynelson]

THERE IS A POSSIBILITY, THAT THERE IS A COIN OR METAL OBJECT THERE, AND THE ROOT OVER TIME GREW OVER IT, AND THE COIN OR METAL OBJECT IS CONCEALED IN THE ROOT. IF IT IS A SMALL ROOT CUT IT OUT, THEN SEE IF THE DETECTOR GIVES YOU A SIGNAL BY WAVING THE CUT ROOT UNDER THE COIL.

I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME ONCE OR TWICE.

GOOD LUCK

 

[jleblancjr]

I never thought of the fact that a coin or something metal could be in the root. That seems unbelievable. One of the roots in my backyard was kind of small (maybe 1 to 1.5 inches around). I think I might try cutting it out. I know that my detector gives false signals in wet sand at the beach, I was thinking this was kind of the same thing, except it goes off like crazy in two spots in my yard and it has happened just this weekend at an old pond site where an ice house used to be to sell ice to the local establishments in the early 1900's.

 

[wasp]

It isn't uncommon that people have buried things near trees. The tree then serves as a marker so they can remember where they buried their stuff. As the tree grows the tree roots can cover or displace whatever is buried. I have found wheat pennies and toy metal cars under tree roots by making a small tunnel under the root if it was too big to cut.

Keep digging if you are still getting a strong repeateable signal. There is something there. It could be a very large item buried deep as flash pointed out. Maybe that gallon jar full of coins???

A good pinpointer can really help.

Good luck!

 

[nugget]

A detecting friend of mine used to hunt a world war 2 hospital site near Brisbane, he showed me a unique item. A rising sun (Aussie) hat badge, the tree root had grown over and through it. He still has the item in his collection. I'd keep digging until the signal disappears or the item is out of the ground. Regards Nugget.

 

[mwaynebennett]

The trouble with the "keep digging" philosophy is that it is expensive to rent back hoes.

Mark
Elite 2200
WA St.