A maple or similarly large tree should not be planted 10 feet from a home. Even doing so for shade means the tree should be planted 20 or more feet from the structure. Planting 10 feet away means the limbs will most certainly be in a constant struggle with the house side.
Other Trees That Can Cause Damage
Other fast-growing trees with shallow roots that can prove problematic for foundations include: Norway maples. Silver maples. Black locusts.
A maple tree can be decorative. Many maple species have fragile, elegant leaves, while others have magnificent late-winter crimson flowers. Many of them have fascinating bark as well. Its fruit, called the winged samara or “whirlybirds”, are especially popular among kids.
Silver maple trees have incredibly shallow, fast-growing roots. 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.
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.
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.
Yes, you can build within 6m of a large tree. You will need a solution that is engineered to accommodate soil heave / shrinkage and not cause damage to the tree or the foundation.
A maple or similarly large tree should not be planted 10 feet from a home. Even doing so for shade means the tree should be planted 20 or more feet from the structure. Planting 10 feet away means the limbs will most certainly be in a constant struggle with the house side.
Maple trees
A few species of maples should be avoided as their invasive roots will severely damage the plumbing systems and foundations. In particular, Norway maple and silver maple have large and shallow root systems. Their tree roots cause damage, and they're trip hazards as well.
Norway Maples and Red Maples are also known for having a few roots surface here and there. However, they are far less aggressive than their other tree friends, so they can be placed closer to streets, buildings and more. Sugar Maples also like to spread their roots near the surface when in low, wet soil areas.
Maples will often exhibit leaf scorch (browning of leaf edges). Repeated leaf scorch often indicates restriction, smothering, or death of the roots. Girdling roots - These roots circle trunks, often below grade, constricting sugar transport to the roots and slowly killing them. Norway maples seem particularly prone.
Overall benefits of trees
For example, in my climate zone, a 25-inch diameter Big Leaf Maple tree provides overall benefits of $196.00 per year to my property. Other species, and their size, may lead to a larger or smaller cost-benefit.
In the case of these two species, red maple may initially overtop sugar maple but loses the race in the end; sugar maples boast an average life span of around 200 years, whereas red maple averages around 80-100. While they often co-occur, sugar and red maple differ in where they “like” to grow.
How long do maple trees live? How long a maple tree lives depends on the type of maple. A sugar maple can live up to 400 years, whereas a silver maple usually lives about a century. Red maple trees live a bit longer, surviving up to 300 years.
What Kind of Tree Won't Damage Your Foundation? While sprawling shade trees like big oaks, maples, and poplars have extensive root systems, smaller ornamental trees like crabapples and dogwoods are great options, Rubert says, but the client's preference takes the lead.
Some tree species are more naturally brittle and therefore prone to snap in the wind, including Norway maples, Bradford pears and silver maples.
Trees that are native to areas with deep soils, like oaks and maples, will have roots that grow down to depths of 20 feet or more. Meanwhile, trees that are native to areas with shallow soils, like pines and firs, will have shallower roots. Soil conditions also play a role in how deep tree roots can grow.
Maples are a well-known group of shade trees that are fast growing, low maintenance, and beautiful. This group has a wide variety of options in size, fall colors, and shape. Many maple trees are native to the United States making them a great option for the home landscape.
One way of limiting a tree's height is by shaping it like a tulip, regulating the trunk's vertical growth. Once you prune the tree into this shape if you wish to maintain your tree low, remove or prune vigorous roots over the height, pruning 50% of all new growth in the early summer or late spring of the third year.
Fall is often considered the best time of year to plant new trees. Generally, late August, September and October are the best months. It all depends, though, on when it actually feels like fall. As long as the hottest days of summer are gone and the ground isn't frozen yet, you can still plant trees.
Some species of maple are extremely invasive. Both Norway and silver maple can invade foundations and underground septic systems and sewer lines from over 90 feet away. These maples should be avoided or planted with extreme care.
If you expect your tree to be 25-50 feet at maturity, plant it 15-20 feet away from any buildings. If your tree is supposed to grow to more than 50 feet tall at maturity, plant it at least 30-50 feet away from any buildings.
Proximity to the house that poses a clear risk to the structure, such as branches touching the roof or roots encroaching on the foundation, also requires action. Regular inspection and consultation with tree care professionals can help determine the right course of action.
Species such as willows, silver maples, and elms are known for their aggressive root growth and potential to cause structural issues. Willows, in particular, are notorious for their invasive root systems, which can extend deep into the soil and seek out sources of water.