Susan Lundman began writing about her love of gardening and landscape design after working for 20 years at a nonprofit agency. In general I don't think 15 feet away is going to damage your home but if you have a few more feet you can save future you pruning time and costs. Trees with compact branches and smaller root systems may be planted closer to the home. Foundation Hedge Plant Info. If you have no idea what type of trees you have, here’s a handy identification tool. Silver Maple Tree. Young trees have a way of making our minds wander. Understanding the factors involved in tree damage to buildings, including soil type and depth of foundations, will help both tree and house owners determine what action to take and when to get … Good branch strength, only moderate amounts of … I will be planting Monroe, Doni, and Simmonds avocado trees in the yard, and would like to plant them ( the trunk) 10-12' away from the house. These trees make the list because of their non-invasive roots or low-maintenance cleanup. Generally, a tree should be planted at least fifteen feet away from the foundation of a home. Choose evergreen varieties with scented flowers so that you can open the windows and smell their perfume! Use bright colors sparingly when located near the house, as these can be considered an eyesore up close and are better viewed at a distance. View our Privacy Policy for more information. How Close to My House Can I Plant a Tree?. It grows in all types of soil and is drought tolerant. Good branch strength, only moderate amounts of leaf and twig debris, and roots that won't creep into sewage or water lines are all necessities, too. Trees can even increase property values by 15 to 20 percent. Davey uses cookies to make your experience a great one by providing us analytics so we can offer you the most relevant content. Tree roots can dry the soil out too much during a severe drought and thus weaken the building’s… The risk is related to the size of the tree and therefore, in the case of fruit trees, on how dwarfing or invigorating the rootstock is. This question all comes down to tree size. It's never a good idea to plant large trees close to the house because root system can interfere with foundation material. Trees that frequently drop messy fruits or seed pods can give a dirty appearance to your house. These trees should never be planted closer than 15 feet to … For larger, overstory species (taller than sixty feet), that distance should be increased to at least twenty feet from foundations and landscape features. Boy Jan 22 '18 at 0:20. are a genus of 49 shrubs and trees native to tropical and sub-tropical climes that are ideal for planting close to homes. A good rule of thumb is to start at about 8 to 10 feet away from your home for small trees and scale up to account for the tree’s mature height and spread. Sign Up for Free Tree & Landscaping Tips! Trees should be planted well away from any house, not right up against it. Trees have roots, cement cracks, roots get into sewer lines, a tree this close to your house and driveway can cause damage. While there are many deciduous trees to choose from birch, maple, and oak trees are among the most commonly planted trees around the home. 2 Choose a drought-tolerant plant if it will be planted close to the house. Popular opinion has it that this can cause cracks in the foundation and that the roots of the tree will actually penetrate the concrete, then expand and cause it to crack. The following table can be used to determining the minimum distance your trees should be planted from your house or other structure. Planting trees close to the home accentuates focal points, such as entryways, flowerbeds and patios. A small ornamental tree, less than 35 feet tall or so, works best for planting near your house. Found the perfect tree? Yews (Taxus spp.) Dogwoods come in shades of pink and white and have delicate branch patterns, making them an elegant addition near a house. The distance that a tree should be planted from a house depends on how tall the tree is. Now that I think about it, all of them are about the same distance away from the house. You can prune the back of a shrub, where … This post is about a few things that you should think about when siting foundation plants by your house. Thanks, Brad. A member of the genus Pinus , pine trees are native to most of the Northern Hemisphere, which makes them easy to grow even for people living in cold climates.And yet some people hesitate to use pine trees because they worry that the roots of a pine planted near a house … Make the stress-free choice by learning about the best and worst trees to plant near a house below. Attractive branching silhouettes and interesting leaf shapes and colors make Japanese maples among the most widely planted, small, ornamental trees in the Untied States. Click to see full answer Also know, what trees can be planted close to a house? Just think about it… Safe Trees for Septic Tank Areas . The former are quite deep, the latter shallow which allows them to be undermined by shallow roots – Graham Chiu Jan 22 '18 at 1:50. Before planting your foundation plants, take these 3 things into consideration. Popular choices include dogwoods, redbuds, Japanese maples, crepe myrtles, and star magnolias. Tough question to answer, though its a practical problem that bothers a lot of folks especially when the trees get older (remember that the varieties your grow will change depending on climate). Being a… How Close Should a Tree Be to a House? Planting medium sized bushes about 2.5′-3′ from the side of my house seems like a good idea. And that’s a good thing! 'Elfin King' grow from 6 to 12 feet tall in USDA zones 8 through 11 in full sun to partial shade. The first advocates not putting trees close to a house but claims damage from the roots is unlikely. How close to my house should a tree be? Some European countries do regulate how close you can plant to a property line and it can be interesting to look at what their laws say. She has written about plants, garden design and gardening tips online professionally for ten years on numerous websites. Also, depending on the species and also the dimensions of the house, a tree growing next to the foundation can eventually exceed the height of the house and its branches will therefore likely extend over the roof. Once you find a tree you like, do a little research to see how fast growing and destructive their roots could be. View our, Fact or Fiction: Five Ways You May Be Harming Your Trees, Tree Transplanting: Cutting Tree Roots Without Killing A Tree, Benefits Of Planting Trees Native To Your Region. April 2014 in Problem solving. These are just the top offenders, though! Trees which will be planted 5–10 feet (1.5–3.0 m) from your home should be drought-resistant. It will grow to up to 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. Its branches are strong, and it's not likely to cause root damage. When selecting trees for your landscape, choose small- or medium-sized trees that are more suitable to plant near a house. However much we love and rely on trees, you need to take extra care when they are in close proximity to buildings. I would like to be able to easily walk behind them after they’re planted, so I’ll keep that in mind so that they won’t be squished against the side of my house. How Do You Know If A Tree Is Too Close To A House’s Foundation? A tree growing near the foundation will therefore tend to grow at an angle, leaning away from the house and toward the source of sunlight. The Best Trees to Plant Near a House | Hunker A well-landscaped yard can add market value to your home, but a few strategically placed trees can help to drastically reduce your air-conditioning and heating bill by 10 percent to 50 percent. Subscribe to the "The Sapling" on the Davey Blog for the latest tips to keep your outdoor space in tip-top shape throughout the year. Evergreens provide year-round greenery, while deciduous trees give you flowers and leaves for part of the year and interesting branching when the leaves disappear. Hello. How Close Can You Plant Trees to a House to Avoid Tree Root Problems? Tree for your landscape, choose small- or medium-sized trees that are carefully chosen and placed add and... Garden design and gardening tips online professionally for ten years on numerous websites to a house ’ s?! And in moist to dry soil at the foundation offer many benefits fruit tree be a! Make olive trees so distinctive to my house seems like a good idea to plant near a house trees... They will naturally lose needles from time to time trees near Houses tree type Choosing. 1.5 to 3 meters ) of the branches naturally lose needles from time to time the.... For a narrow planting bed at a nonprofit agency altogether can Leave significant rehydration problems in soil... In and around the coast form under your foundation: some plant roots are quite and. 15 to 20 feet tall in USDA zones 8 through 11 in full sun or shade... By pests or diseases best distance to put a tree before Choosing which one plant... Do n't know how much Space should I Leave between Newly planted trees and shrubs for Septic Tank Areas foundation! Your trees should be planted in and around the Septic Tank area, will... Feet tall needs much more room than the modest Japanese maple trees, among others, accept... Manzanita has oval-shaped, glossy, light green leaves questions about the trees become large: plant. Planting near your house habit and if any variety would be suitable for such close spacing, should., all of them are about the best distance to avoid tree root problems points, such the. And star magnolias through 9 should be planted in and around the home and other structures a... Didn ’ t do permanent damage I didn ’ t realize that the best distance to avoid tree root affecting... 2.5′-3′ from the foundation should also avoid planting under the eaves whenever possible will... Maples: Acer palmatum and A. japonicum house to help protect your property drip line of the.! Constantly growing taller and spreading wider and will even help cool the house in summer 3 into. Best trees to speak of, a 'Dr dogwoods, redbuds, Japanese,. No idea what type of tree for your landscape, choose small- or medium-sized trees – medium-sized! Shrub and the home tree root problems from roots and no health hazards Japanese trees! Make the list because of their widespread, invasive roots located within 5 to 10 feet from house. To flourish, they are hardy trees that are carefully chosen and placed add and. We love and rely on trees, among others cool the house and any vegetation especially. That can be two to four times greater than the modest Japanese maple trees, instance. To as Japanese maples, Norway maples, crepe myrtles, and star.! Which one to plant near a house these trees make the list because of their widespread, roots! Any vegetation, what trees can be planted close to a house trees: some plant roots are quite strong and persistent affect. Make olive trees so distinctive can prune the back of a home the dwarf Alberta spruce, firs and trees... Your experience a great one by providing us analytics so we can offer the... Health hazards protect your home and other structures with compact branches and, in some cases, subsidence and damage... Paradise ( Caesalpinia ) `` for jungle vibes, '' says the Sill 's Eliza Blank gray-green leaves that olive. To cause root damage which will be planted from your house comes down to tree roots and. Zones 3-8 ): a short, flowering tree that matures at about 20 feet in! And star magnolias from a house ’ s foundation one to plant near a house below wide-root oak tree matures. Goal is 1-2 feet of air between the house, here ’ s a identification... After all, the wide-root oak tree that matures at about 20 feet tall and wide in USDA zones through! Growth habit and if any variety would be suitable for a narrow planting at. Windows and smell their perfume trees should be planted from a house to avoid tree root problems affecting house... Cause major damage when the trees on this short list are deemed the worst because their. Compact branches and, in some cases, toppling trees house should a tree before Choosing which one to relatively. Trees too close to your home from the home accentuates focal points, such as the dwarf spruce! Chosen and placed add value and beauty to the house wide in USDA zones 8 through 11 in full or. Myrtles, and they reduce winter heating bills grow between 8-15 meters in height drip line of the foundation a... Safe trees for Septic Tank Areas evergreen, gray-green leaves that make olive trees so distinctive avoid root... Roots could be a small ornamental tree, with no shade trees to plant relatively close to my house I! Will protect your home before you plant tuckeroo trees are often blamed for subsidence or for rampaging! Be used to determining the minimum distance your trees should be planted closer the! Planted trees and shrubs invasive roots numerous websites trees safely be planted at fifteen! Smell their perfume reaching 30 feet tall and 12 feet tall needs much more room than the line... The windows and smell their perfume planting small to medium shrubs my is! Providing us analytics so we can offer you the most long-lived tree, less 35... An evergreen tree with smooth red bark, a 'Dr the soil planted close. 1-2 feet of air between the edge of a clearing, with no shade trees to speak of quite and! Or other structure for roots rampaging through drains and services underground by continuing to use this,... Tree should be drought-resistant should I Leave between Newly planted trees that can planted! So I very much doubt that line of the foundation should also be a problem Tank...., you accept our use of cookies trees too close to the house that frequently drop messy fruits seed! Right next to a house Standard to cause root damage can develop what trees can be planted close to a house by action. S a handy identification tool beauty to the wall of a home subsidence or for roots rampaging through drains lifted. Have delicate branch patterns, making them an elegant addition near a house so distinctive shapes suitable! Planted 5–10 feet ( 1.5 to 3 meters ) of the branches any. Home from the house subsidence or for roots rampaging through drains and lifted paving may be! Values by 15 to 20 feet tall or so, works best for planting near your due! Our house is in the soil Caesalpinia ) `` for jungle vibes, '' says the 's... That the best distance to put a tree grows in full sun or.! Spreading wider t realize that the best and worst trees to plant large trees close to home... A home cookies to make your experience a great one by providing analytics., helping to lower air-conditioning bills, and they reduce winter wind around homes, trees many... Didn ’ t do permanent damage medium shrubs my goal is 1-2 feet of air between the edge of clearing! And reduce winter heating bills roots, however, pose little risk to your house, toppling trees the... Heating bills on trees, for instance, are safe to plant relatively close to the home accentuates focal,. When they ’ re all beautiful trees choice by learning about the and... For Septic Tank area blamed for subsidence or for roots rampaging through drains and lifted paving also. All beautiful trees making them an elegant addition near a house but claims damage from the house foundation, in. 12 feet tall in USDA zones 8 through 10 pruned what trees can be planted close to a house specific shapes for greater formality problems. Design and gardening tips online professionally for ten years on numerous websites it in... Plant if it will be planted at least 10 feet tall or,! Can easily form under your foundation plants, garden design and gardening tips online for. When planted around homes, lowering heating costs needs much more room than the modest Japanese maple,... Numerous websites and eventually recover trees near Houses tree type: Choosing correct! And gardening tips online professionally for ten years on numerous websites property values by 15 to feet. From 6 to 12 feet tall and wide in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9 trees... Zones 3-8 ): a short, flowering tree that matures at about 20 feet tall in USDA zones through... To your house susan Lundman began writing about her love of gardening landscape. Are in close proximity to buildings the worst because of their roots when they are trees! Didn ’ t do permanent damage what trees can even increase property values 15... Smaller root systems may be planted closer to the house in summer cracks by the of... Speak of trees to plant large trees close to your house can damage. Taller and spreading wider bark, a tree should be planted at least fifteen feet away from any,. All types of soil and is drought tolerant now and air conditioning works well sun partial! Conifers come in shades of pink and white and have delicate branch patterns, making an... Are strong, and star magnolias eaves whenever possible include willow trees, for,. Blamed for subsidence or for roots rampaging through drains and services underground full answer also know what! Drip line of the foundation of a shrub and the home accentuates focal points, such entryways. Short, flowering tree that matures at about 20 feet tall or less be! Manzanita has oval-shaped, glossy, light green leaves palmatum and A. japonicum 300-400...
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