You are more likely to find roots growing along your foundation than beneath it. But, when that moisture is gone, clay soils tend to shrivel up and, you guessed it, shrink! Home Guides recommends leaving 11-12 feet between any large palm trees and your pipes, just to be certain there won't be problems in the future: I've been conducting professional home inspections since 2002. Lets examine the damage caused to foundations by tree roots and discuss which trees are the most damaging to house foundations. However, while this is an effective way of preventing foundational cracks and other signs of foundational damage, you should be careful when cutting a trees roots. Plus, it helps that they're all beautiful trees! Planting them at a distance that is over 25 feet will make it harder for their roots to reach your homes foundation. Some ash trees grow 30 feet tall and have root systems up to 30 feet wide. Some roots are strong enough to grow through the houses foundation, compromising its structural integrity. There are certain types of maple trees commonly known to contribute to foundation damage. Taking steps to prevent roots from reaching your foundation before you have a problem is the best approach to dealing with invasive roots. Palm trees do bloom, but not all of them. This will ensure your foundations are never at risk. Oaktree roots absorb large amounts of water, which means that they cause severe land subsidence. These roots can reach as far as three times the height of the tree. The roots of a palm tree can spread far and wide, and they may grow underneath a foundation and cause cracks or other damage. Do Roaches Come Back After Extermination? Queen and Coconut palms did the worst of any of the varieties looked at in the survey, with only 40% standing after the hurricane. Paste as plain text instead, How exactly do trees affect your homes foundation? This root system enables them to get enough nutrients and moisture to grow and be productive. Root barriers are especially effective on shallow root systems, which is what most of the damaging trees have. They will be opposite each other on the limbs instead of alternating like most other deciduous trees. For example, this palm tree is displacing the sidewalk near our house. I grew up on 50+ acres of pastures, woodlands, and a freshwater bass pond surrounded by apple orchards where I worked back in the day. Just to add when you shop using links from Tree Journey, we may earn affiliate commissions if you make a purchase. If youre looking for some palm trees. These deciduous trees have shallow, spreading roots that grow quickly and often cause sewer pipe damage. Electric vs Gas Chainsaw: Which is Right for You? The roots that belong to palm trees tend to be thin and narrow and therefore don't have the strength to cause any damage to a heavy foundation. This is so especially if the trees have high water requirements. In fact, a survey after hurricane Andrew found that more than 90% of Areca, Cabada, and Sabal palm trees remained standing after the hurricane. We contend the damage was caused by the tree roots, which is covered, not earth movement. Some tree roots are aggressive, and some are not. The trees that . To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. They don't damage the concrete, but they can movethe slabs over time. Who doesn't appreciate the elegance of a majestic tree growing in the front yard? They may also have slow-growing roots that grow vertically instead of laterally. Dont worry, you read that right! The most common indications of foundation damage caused by tree roots are: There are several causes for most of these issues, but encroaching tree roots likely cause the damage. As for what you can plant over your septic tank and drain field, grasses (including ornamental grasses) often work best. Behind me? The trees to look out for are trees with shallow roots that grow relatively fast. Can Palm Tree Roots Damage Concrete? Not only that, but gum trees are quite a, Read More 7 Different Things Gum Trees Are Used ForContinue, Identifying plants by their characteristics is a complex and highly technical task. Palm tree roots are very thin, long, and fragile. Slow-release chemicals can be used as growth inhibitors in residential areas to prevent root growth. Small trees are much easier to maintain and far easier to cultivate. These trees cause the most damage to foundations. But if the soil is low in nutrients or moisture, palm trees can grow longer roots to find water and nutrient sources. Placement of palms is very important. by Phil Bergman. As the tree grows, lateral roots take hold and begin snaking out from the tree in all directions. This is done through a process called suckering, where new shoots form from dying roots or old stumps. You can post now and register later. It is normal for palm trees to grow roots that can become exposed above the ground, due to the shallow depth of palm trees natural root growth. While it is possible to remove the tree on your own, if it is too large, hiring a tree surgeon is always advisable. Clear editor. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Removing a tree near your home may also be necessary if it has large overhanging branches damaging your shingles. Root ball is a term referring to the roots that grow out from a plant into the soil both around and under a plant. The two that are of most concern are Norway and silver maples. These can either be potted or (in the case of a lot of large palm trees when theyre being shipped) bound in burlap to protect the roots. By The great thing about the DeepRoot product is it comes in a variety of sizes, so you can choose what best suits your situation. On certain clay soils houses can develop cracks by the action of tree roots. Some trees are safe for planting near a house. It also has little to no aesthetic appeal. J.D., These are often confused with quaking aspen trees or birch trees. How can you tell if a tree is damaging home foundations? That's why Chin from California wanted to make sure she got it right. We get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Clay soils have a peculiar property where they can hold a ton of moisture. When the soil shrinks, it destabilizes the foundations support structure, and this can cause the foundation material to shift, settle, and crack. The Norway maple is one of the only trees known to actually lift foundation instead of damaging it via shrinking of clay soils. If you are planning on planting trees with aggressive root systems, then the best thing you can do for your home is to plant them far away from your home. It helps to melt the clotted blood. Tree roots tend to grow outwards from the tree along the path of least resistance. However, larger, older trees have more vigorous roots. Besides the difficulty of controlling these advantageous trees, they also have a very wide, fibrous root system. This is most common if the home is built on clay soil. Tree roots are not strong enough to crush foundations or even sewer pipes and can be turned away with barriers. This will prevent them from getting thirsty enough to head under the foundation. The roots of a palm tree can potentially cause damage to a foundation, especially if the tree is not properly cared for. Trees that are not prone to building damage include: Root barriers are meant to guide roots in a particular direction such as away from your foundation. Poplars, or trees in the Populus genus, can cause foundation damage. Something like DeepRoot Tree Root Barrier can help guide destructive roots away from your foundation, paved driveway, or sidewalks. As the roots continue to grow, they will take up more and more space beneath your house, literally lifting the building by tiny fractions. If the roots are strong enough and allowed to grow for a long enough time, the roots may succeed in growing through the houses foundation. However, if you uproot the tree, there is a potential for damaging the foundation of your home. They do not grow thicker or wider as the tree grows taller, they can grow further out but will remain thin. The roots of palm trees can not damage pipes because they are are narrow and long, growing horizontally and fairly shallow. Unhealthy roots will become very dense and can spread out much further than healthy palm trees. However, according to the US Forest Service, they can grow in a wide variety of conditions and pop up here and there on their own in many areas. Before you plant a tree, find out about the nature of its root system. This is because the foundation is designed with a greater resisting force than that caused by the roots. Can Palm Tree Roots Damage Pipes? Thereafter, proceed to use a spade to clear the topsoil from the cutting area and then cut the roots with a root saw. If tree roots grow deep enough and far enough to reach below the foundations of a house, they are likely to force the foundation upwards. The mulch will protect its roots from permanent frost damage. Can tree roots cause foundation problems? Any large trees with robust, lateral, fast-growing root systems are bad for foundations. As an affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Tree Roots in the Built Environment. 4. These roots do not stop growing; the stronger they are, the more damage they are likely to inflict. This typically works best if your foundation is built on clay soils. Owning a home can be a wonderful experience. This puts pressure on the foundation, which can buckle and crack. Do Palm Trees Bloom? Black locusts reproduce in a similar way to aspen trees by creating clones. The height of palms varies by species and their growth environment, and you should consider the area needed before planting one. When the roots grow through the foundations structure, they are likely to cause severe damage by destabilizing the foundation or surrounding ground. I think that the people in this forum are probably very knowledgeable about this sort of issue, so I would greatly appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. I've read generally that king palm tree roots don't typically damage concrete very much, due to their thin diameter and tendency to grow in the path of least resistance. Not to worry well explain why this happens and how to keep your palm tree looking healthy and green. Elms, cherries, plums, and lilac trees can regenerate from roots after the trunk is damaged. Not so fast. This means they are not prone to causing damage to things like concrete or underground pipes. Silver maples are known for their massive and fast-growing root systems. Give it 15-20 years and the ground will rise up near the base of the palmtrunk lifting all the pavers and walkways with it. Copyright 2022 - International Palm Society The roots from smaller, younger trees are not yet hardened or strong enough to cause any actual harm to a houses foundation. This is most common if the home is built on clay soil. But rest assured, there are ways to mitigate and even prevent roots from approaching your foundation altogether. I have lots of palms near my concrete, nary a problem. Just because a tree is growing nearby and the house has foundation issues doesn't mean the two are related. See also overwatering vs underwatering plants: 11 Early signs + Fixes Some poplar trees develop aggressive root systems that cause severe damage by forming cracks in foundations and sewage pipes. Pneumatic digging allows trenching through a tree's critical root zone without severing vital roots. However, some roots are stubborn and are determined to go under your foundation, or through pre-existing cracks. More, if youre able. Roots on a healthy tree will grow annually, just like the trunk does. Palm trees, even the shortest ones, can have a root ball which is around 24 inches in diameter when removed from the ground, but sometimes the root ball thats dug up can be up to 6 in diameter. Many tree species are bad for house foundations, but some are worse than others. You can even use these on non-damaging roots such as bushes planted close to the house. There is a high chance their roots will contribute to foundation damage. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Other terms may apply. Cover small trees with sheets or blankets. Jim in Los Altos, CA SF Bay Area 37.34N- 122.13W- 190' above sea level. You will not have any problems with your garage foundation. These trees have root systems that are extremely unlikely to cause any damage to the house, are easy to maintain, and are all attractive trees that will increase the aesthetic appeal of any home. So, when roots are sucking in all the water they can get, theyre actually shrinking the soil around them. If the foundation problems are caused by the soil shrinking from loss of water, this addition of water can swell the soil back to its original level, closing the cracks. Every part of nature serves a purpose. However, the damage that the roots cause is not as a result of the roots simply digging through the foundation. Slow-growing trees generally have less destructive roots than those that grow quickly. Your foundation can sink into the gaps the soil leaves behind. This damage is usually caused by deciduous trees, as their roots tend to be solid and long and grow deeply and laterally.27 Tree Species That Are Bad For Foundations (Explained) 5. The damage caused by tree roots can be light or severe, but you must attend to all of this before the problem becomes irreparable. Its best to cut the tree down and apply a stump killer to kill the tree roots, and after a few months, grind the stump away. Therefore, it is usually advisable that you do so under the guidance or with the help of an arborist. To discourage root invasion of the foundation, create an environment for optimal tree root growth far away from the foundation. This means that you do not need to worry about planting a palm tree near a structure as it will not damage it. 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