How far away from a house should a tree be planted?

Author: Ms. Hanna Lueilwitz III  |  Last update: Friday, December 19, 2025

If positioned too closely to your home, a maturing tree can take root and slowly push your house out of the way. We recommend planting trees at least 15-20 feet away from your house to prevent problems with roots or overhanging branches.

How close can you plant a tree next to a house?

Large trees, up to 70 feet or more should be planted at least 20 feet from the home, medium-sized trees up to 70 feet tall, at least 15 feet from the home, and small trees 30 feet tall or less, at least 8 to 10 feet from the home. Rule #3: You should plant a tree that is in scale with the house and the yard.

Can a tree be too close to house foundation?

Sprawling tree roots and foundations don't mix. As tree roots grow, they branch out into the soil for moisture. If planted too close to your house, they can hit your foundation, and they're powerful enough to damage it. So you want foundation planting trees that don't have extensive, far-reaching roots.

What tree to plant close to a house?

10 of the best trees to plant close to a house – and which varieties to avoid
  • Crepe myrtle.
  • Ornamental cherry tree.
  • Leopard tree.
  • Allegheny serviceberry.
  • Mexican fan palm.
  • Sweetbay magnolia.
  • Eastern redbud.
  • Amur maple.

Which tree should not be planted close to a house?

Peepal and Banyan trees should never be kept at home. These trees attract ser plants,worms and owls. Tamarind tree, Date Palm,Cotton,Babul tree and Bam boo trees should not be planted in your yard. Bamboo trees are used during de ath in India.

How Far Should Trees Be From Foundations?

How to tell if a tree is too close to a house?

As a rule of thumb, it's advisable to ensure that no branches directly overhang your roof, and for taller trees, maintaining a distance of more than 20 feet from your home is a prudent measure to protect your roof effectively.

Which tree roots damage foundations?

According to one study on tree root foundation damage, Oak species account for 11 percent of all foundation problems cited by property owners. Live oaks, Shumard red oaks, chestnut oaks, and other species have shallow roots that leach large quantities of nutrients and water from the soil.

How far from a house should a tree be?

We recommend planting trees at least 15-20 feet away from your house to prevent problems with roots or overhanging branches. There are of course exceptions to this, but here are some general rules of thumb to consider when planting trees near your home.

What tree has the least invasive roots?

4 Types of Trees with Non-Invasive Roots that are Best for Your Yard
  • Japanese Maple.
  • Crape Myrtle.
  • Eastern Redbud.
  • Cornus Mas.
  • Serviceberry.
  • Kousa Dogwood.
  • Japanese Tree Lilac.
  • Dwarf Korean Lilac.

Where not to plant a tree?

Basin Placement: Trees are planted at least 3 feet away from communication, electric, and gas lines and at least 5 feet away from sewers.

Can a tree be planted too close to a house?

One of the primary concerns with trees growing too close to a house is the potential for structural damage. Tree roots can extend far beyond the canopy, sometimes two to three times the width of the branches. These roots can undermine your home's foundation, leading to cracks, shifts, and instability.

How to prevent tree roots from damaging a house?

Following are certain measures you can take:
  1. Trimming/cutting tree roots to prevent them from growing toward the foundation.
  2. Avoid planting shrubs or trees near the foundation.
  3. Plant the right trees in your yard (those with non-invasive root system).

How do you tell if a tree is causing foundation problems?

10 Signs Tree Roots Are Affecting Your Foundation
  1. Foundation Cracks. ...
  2. Uneven Flooring. ...
  3. Sticking Doors and Windows. ...
  4. Leaning Chimney. ...
  5. Sinking or Settling Foundation. ...
  6. Bowing Walls. ...
  7. Gaps Between Trim and Walls. ...
  8. Cracked or Uneven Concrete Driveway.

How close to a house foundation can you plant a tree?

How far should your trees be from the side of your house? For a tree that can reach a height of 25 to 50 feet when it matures, you should plant it at least 15 to 20 feet away from your house. For those that grow at a maximum height of 25 feet, 10 feet away should be enough.

What should you not plant near a foundation?

Ash, Poplar, and Locusts trees also caused more damage to homes in relation to their population. Trees that grow fast above ground grow equally as fast below ground, so you should not plant these trees near sidewalks, pipes, or homes.

Should I buy a house with a tree close to it?

In practice it is most unlikely that tree roots will damage a properly constructed house. Trees do not actively seek out house foundations. They influence the sub soil in which they grow due to the amount of water they demand and this can affect the way certain soil types behave.

What is the best tree to plant near a house?

Types like American Holly and Dwarf Yaupon Holly are popular choices to plant near houses because they stay small and don't have roots that spread too much. People often use holly trees as hedges or to decorate around their home's foundation because they grow thick leaves.

What tree has the worst roots?

Silver maple tree

They might be prized for their vibrant colour in autumn, but their root systems are one of the most invasive of all. As the roots enlarge, silver maple trees have been known to crack driveways, pavements, foundations and pipes. It's best to avoid planting this tree altogether.

What trees don't crack concrete?

Pine trees: Pines have practically no impact on your foundation because their roots extend straight down into the soil. Japanese maple: This beautiful and popular scarlet-colored tree is frequently planted near patios and along curbsides because their roots are non-invasive.

How close to my house should I plant a tree?

So, while tree subsidence is not a common occurrence, it's important to think about where you are planting in relation to the house. Don't plant an oak two metres from your front door, for example. The recommended minimum distance to plant a new tree from a building is five metres.

How close can a neighbor plant a tree to my house?

So, if a tree sits on the property line, it's considered common property and you are both owners. For this reason, you can't legally plant a tree on the property line without permission from your neighbor. It's best to plan trees three to four feet from all property lines to leave room for future growth.

Is it good to plant trees near a house?

Existing trees can be dealt with according to the specifics of the situation, but the best time to prevent a problem is when planting a new tree near a house. Large trees should be planted far enough away from your home to avoid damage to your foundation.

How far should a tree be from a house?

Plant small trees (25 feet tall or less, at maturity) at least 8 to 10 feet from a wall, or 6 to 8 feet from a corner of your home. Plant medium trees (up to 40 feet at maturity) at least 15 feet from walls, and at least 12 feet from a corner.

What is the best ground cover for tree roots?

Cover exposed tree roots with a mulch of leaves, bark, pine straw, gravel, chipped slate, spaced-out flagstone, or other porous material that still lets air and water get to the roots.

What trees are safe for foundations?

Best trees to plant near the house
  • Plant redbud trees at least 25 feet from the foundation of your home. ...
  • American Holly doesn't cause any harm to your home if planted about 5 feet or more from your home's foundation.
  • Crabapple roots will not break building foundations unless it's already cracked or leaking.

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