Tree height and house

We have been in our house for 8 years now and in that time the tree in the front garden has really grown. It is now at the height of the house at the gutter level (not roof ridge level). So is about 7m tall.

So i have been wondering could this tree potentially be a problem to my foundations.

The house is 100 yrs old and i think has a brick rubble type foundation.

The tree is possibly a cedrus deodara, but i am not sure on that one.

It is set about 1m from our front wall.

Does anyone has any knowledge of this tree and its root system ? We also have a magnolia a little further away and that is 2.5m from the front wall.

The photo shows the trees in 2011, but they are both much taller now and also much fuller.

 

I'd not worry quite so much about the magnolia, but I think the cedar could be a future problem.
They get very large eventually.

 

i may take a photo tomorrow to show how big it has got.

Do you know exactly what tree it is ?

Do you know if i can control the height if i was to lop it off at a certain point ?

 

The tree's shape suggests it could be a Deodara but they are usually quite blue in colour.

Cedars are part of the Conifer family and as such they spread their roots quite a distance and will damage foundations and drains in search of water as I know to my own cost. I would never plant any Conifer within 12 metres of my house or the drains.

I'm sorry, but there is no doubt the roots will have worked their way into your house foundations and I would suggest the tree is removed. If the roots can't be removed they can be severed from the trunk and will eventually die. The conifer family of trees do not re-grow. How much damage it has already done, if any I can't say and I wouldn't know how to go about a foundation inspection.

If you have to seek professional help with the removal of the tree I suggest you make contact with your home insurance company first who may pay out after inspection. My own did after damage from a conifer hedge owned by my neighbours.

 

i can take it out no problem.

there is no movement on the brick work of the outer walls.

The worry is the roots which will shrink and shrivel and then you can get slip i think.

I don't think we have any real movement at the moment. Any way i am going to remove it all the same.

 

I don't think there's much else you can do Marsaday. Removal now is the right thing to do but you will need to keep an eye on your house over the next few years while the roots diminish. Good luck, I hope it goes well for you.

 

Its only a small one at the moment.
I doubt it has caused any problems to the house foundations at that size.

The one in the garden next door looks bigger, or what about those large pine trees out the back?

Its easy to get carried away, if the house has good foundations it should be ok.

 

@pete the Conifers that ruined my drains and foundations (twice) were only 14ft high and about the same distance away from them, I would never underestimate the damage they can do and would never plant any in a garden of mine.

 

I have spoken to a tree specialist and he hasn't been out yet, but thinks the C.deodara has a fibrous root system and so is not that bad. I am going to wait to see what he says when he gets time to come round.

On the gable end of the house we have a hydrangea climber. Does anyone know if these can be a nuisance as well ?

 

I hope it goes well with the tree specialist Marsaday.

Most shrubs and climbers aren't usually a problem regarding foundations so the Hydrangea should be fine. The root spread on trees is more often than not about the same as the height but like the Conifer and Willow species there are exceptions.

 

@Sheal , I know trees and even large shrubs can invade drains, but just look around and see how many large trees and shrubs are actually growing near buildings, even in towns.
They are often planted by local authorities.

I tend to think that the problems from medium sized trees and shrubs are usually due to old drains or poor foundations.

That Cedar on the other hand has the potential to become massive.

 

@pete, granted, trees are more likely to be a problem with older properties, which mine and my neighbours are. Of course the previous owner of my neighbours house hadn't got a clue when planting the conifer hedge, which confirms what I've said above.

Yes, that Cedar is far to close to the house and the house is 30 years older than mine. Many non-gardeners don't think about the over all size of a mature tree when they buy and plant. They plant as if it's going to remain at the height they bought it and roots aren't a consideration.

My current neighbours planted a Willow 2ft from our boundary fence 2 years ago, it's already to big for the area and again roots will be a problem. Three years ago they planted an Aesculus in a 3 x 3ft bank just 10ft from their house, that tree could reach 80ft in height if it survives, complete madness!

I have often said that it's time suppliers of trees and any other plant with invasive roots made this known on the attached labels. The height is supplied, why not the root spread as well?

 

Now sure you could really, and height is only a guide, mostly it says after 10 yrs.

Root spread is undefinable, depending on conditions, and would not really be of much help if you were planting over a drain you did know was there.

What actually constitutes and invasive root system?
A plant that has invaded your drain?

Surely any plant of reasonable size could do that, in the right conditions, ie. leaky drain, and planted close.

The property in question in the OP is probably very well built, some of the more modern ones, intended to be demolished in 30yrs, I'd be a bit wary.

 

No not just a drain problem but roots of any plant that spread quickly and are difficult to remove.

I hadn't got leaky drains, the problem was with older clay pipework, they are porous to a certain degree and the conifers roots had broken through them. They have now been replaced and the conifers have been removed. Younger properties wouldn't have a problem because they have non porous pipes and no seepage.