Silver Maple Query

Hi all,

I have a Silver Maple in my garden that I planted 4 years ago. Already it's grown to 30 feet in height and 15 feet across. It's roughly 25 feet from my house (which when built 5 years ago had pilling done for the foundations).

I've read because these trees grow so fast the roots can be devastating to a houses foundations. I'd really like to keep the tree and am happy to keep pruning it back - but am wondering if I should play it safe and dig out the tree and replace it with something else less harmful root wise.

Any advice regarding the Silver Maple would be very much welcomed.

Thanks



Greg

 

Hi Greg,

25m away from the house is a safe distance for a tree to be. Many people needlessly fret over tree roots near buildings. The main cause for root related tree problems come from trees absorbing water from beneath the foundations of a building, leaving cavities which the soil then collapses into. This is mainly a problem with clay soil.

 

That's interesting. Thanks for your replies.

The soil the tree is very much clay ridden. My house and my neighbours home were pilled several metres down when the homes were built, so I hope the tree couldn't possibly damage them.

Cheers


Greg