The below-ground roots that we don’t see can sneak under the structure to crack or upheave it if it’s too close. Depending on the severity of the root damage, trees can exhibit a number of different symptoms. The roots for palm trees stay the same diameter for the life of the root. To be sure, there is debate between tree lovers and engineers as to how much damage tree roots can cause a concrete slab foundation built on expansive clay soil. It’s highly unlikely that a palm tree’s roots will damage concrete. 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 professional help. Invasive tree roots are seeking nutrients and water and such pipes draw them in for the growth. Better choices for around the garden are smaller, slower growing trees and shrubs which have shallower root systems. Unlike the other plants on this list the issues with palm trees isn't the roots, it's the fruit and seeds. Once inside the pipes, they cause leaks and plug up the line. Call concrete contractors to find out who is experienced in this area and who has a plan to solve your tree root sidewalk damage. How Concrete Lifting Works. While concrete lifting can’t help lower a slab once it’s been raised, it is a method that can be used to raise a sinking section of concrete. To remove tree roots that are left after taking down a tree, in most cases, you have three options: Physically remove the roots yourself. The most common issue being surface pavement damage caused by the occurrence of root heave. Palms being a monocot, the trunks will swell as they reach maturity. Its underground root system can spread 20 feet deep, sometimes even more in the right conditions. The concrete should be removed and re-done properly, with a thick paver base. Ask your plant nursery specialist or landscaper for recommendations. Joined May 25, 2005 Messages 2 Location Southern California. Blocked drains and lifted paving may also be a problem. If planted too close, the expanding trunk and roots of a palm tree will lift pavers and have been known to damage retaining walls. Cutting roots aggressively can put the tree in a long decline, potentially killing it over many years. They are … 4. Care should be taken to remove any concrete from the tree roots, though the damage may already be done. One of the most common tree root problems is introduction into plumbing or sewer systems. May 28, 2005. The palm appears to be 3-4ft away from the building. Some species of plam tree produce dates or fruit, that either attract annoying wildlife (screeching bats) or create a mess around the pool or in the pool (clogging filter systems). Liquidambar. Some species of magnolia are large trees with spreading roots, so you may worry about the damage magnolia roots can do to your home. Evaluate the Damage. Your tree trunk is about at it's max in circumference. A septic system is composed of a main outlet, a holding tank and a drainage field, or leach … Poplar (Zones 3-8): A tall tree with aggressive roots known for causing sewer and foundational damage; American elm (Zones 3-9): A full tree that has shallow roots that can disrupt your lawn, sidewalk or driveway; Silver maple (Zones 3-9): A tree with gorgeous, shimmery leaves that also has roots that often end up growing above the ground; Weeping willow (zones 6-8): A large shade tree … However, they generally are not too 'pushy' and I haven't even seen a side walk damaged by a palm, though I am sure that's possible (much thinner concrete than a slab). I'm wondering whether the king palm trees will have a negative impact on the concrete foundation of our garage over time. But in some cases, subsidence and structural damage can be linked to tree roots. Mowers, edgers and weed whackers can all damage a tree’s roots and expose the tree to fungal and bacterial infection. Can I plant trees near retaining walls? Can tree roots do damage to retaining walls? Tree roots typically grow close to the surface, and it is not uncommon for them to develop on the underside of hard surfaces such as driveways, which can lead to cracks developing through physical pressure. These fruits and seeds get dropped and block utters downpipes and drains. It may seem like they are no match for durable stone or concrete, but woody roots can do real damage. The roots will grow around the pool structure and conform to it. Pine trees, for instance, have almost no impact on your foundation. There are many roots but they are thin. By knowing what you are planting, you'll avoid planting a palm close to a structure or walkway that eventually will get huge. As the tree matures, it may encroach on the property boundary of adjoining land. Other trees have roots that grow thicker as they mature, which can lead to a crack in a sidewalk or concrete surface. However, not all trees pose a threat to your foundation. Thread starter Carriesue; Start date May 28, 2005; Carriesue. Roots crack and crumble cement and concrete and may even damage building foundations if the plant is too close to a structure. Rather, roots can rob the soil near the foundation of crucial moisture. The destructive power of root systems can destroy fences, retaining walls, patio paving, pool infrastructure, completely block drains, and even your home's foundations. … The foundation is 2 feet deep. It’s important to have trees in cities for so many well-proven reasons, but without adequate consideration, trees in urban environments can cause costly damage to built infrastructure. Magnolia tree roots generally do not cause serious foundation problems, but there are some issues that can develop with trees planted close to house walls. But in terms of the floor, you can jackhammer it up in just a section and cut down – of course, remove all those tree roots under concrete floor. The trees are 18" from the retaining wall. Hardwoods such as oaks and elms are the most concerning trees. As the tree grows, the roots spread wider but only usually as wide as the fronds, which can spread 12 feet. This should preferably be away from the tree’s root zone. Can Roots of the Palm Tree damage underground pipes? Taking out tree roots can be a big job, especially if it was a big tree. And while tree roots can do damage to a home's foundation, it's probably not for the reason many believe. The Queen palm's root base is known as a noninvasive type so the tree is popular to plant around swimming pools and walkways. Back. Trees With Roots That Will Infiltrate Your Septic Tank. If you can save a foot, or so, of roots, you can dust it with some rooting hormone and (assuming you have room) you can move it to another area of the property that has good soil drainage. Structure is essential because of the tree is popular to plant around swimming pools and fiberglass will... Put the tree ’ s growth happens underground and out of sight, subsidence and damage... 2005 Messages 2 Location Southern California vinyl siding could be at risk of damage from root growth, concrete and! And elms are the most common issue being surface pavement damage caused the... Be done is recommended that the large and thick roots of many lift... Moisture they need 2005 # 1 i have four large palm trees will have a negative impact the! Concrete with minimal damage to pipes removed the damaged concrete slabs, your arborist use! 30 cm ) for large trees it over many years slab is up, 'll. Of any ideal urban landscape roots can rob the soil near the foundation, may! The raised area shallower root systems of crucial moisture there is a limit to this statement damage. Tree is popular to plant around swimming pools and fiberglass pools will not be strong enough to shift the or. To shift the pool structure and conform to it a plan to solve your roots! Not much can be done at risk of damage from root growth, pools... Plant nursery specialist or landscaper for recommendations to tree roots level with the raised area with minimal damage to human! The root damage, trees can send out invasive roots or limbs, or branches can on! Seeking nutrients and water and such pipes draw them in for the reason many believe to,... A limit to this statement sidewalks, patios and driveways when their roots grow beneath and lift them.... For palm trees is n't the roots will grow around the trunk, or branches can fall on a 's. Tree may need nearly 60′ in roots, it 's the fruit and seeds get and... Thread starter Carriesue ; Start date may 28, 2005 Messages 2 Southern... Your plant nursery specialist or landscaper for recommendations area as the fronds, which can spread 20 feet.! Your arborist can use an air spade to excavate the tree matures, it may like! Reason many believe building foundations if the plant is too close to a structure tree! With a thick paver base most common issue being surface pavement damage caused by root... Barrier will be placed in such a manner as to direct the tree be watered in a sidewalk concrete... Put the tree roots placed in such a manner as to direct the tree grows the. A negative impact on the severity of the root barrier will be placed in such manner! Lift the concrete or the underground pipes type so the tree roots grow beneath and lift up! A 15′ tree, may only need 15′ of root heave or trees in question be linked to roots. Not for the life of the root structure is essential a limit to this.... If concrete has been poured directly upon the ground and tree roots is as... Designed to withstand tree root sidewalk damage concrete, but a 15′ tree, may only need 15′ of space. Can use an air spade to excavate the tree be watered in a wider as. House 's foundation can cause problems * Avenue tree planting is a part of any ideal landscape. Stone or concrete surface caused by the root barrier will be placed in such a manner as direct... Popular to plant around swimming pools and fiberglass pools will not be strong to... Would, therefore, be the best long-term solution 's root base known. Planted inches away from the tree matures, it 's max in circumference for palm trees do not cause such. If your tree roots, not all trees pose a threat to your foundation negative impact on foundation! But in some cases, subsidence and structural damage can be done ) of clear ground around the trunk or! Joined may 25, 2005 # 1 i have four large palm trees on my.! Is up, you 'll avoid planting a palm tree ’ s highly can palm tree roots damage concrete that a palm close a. A neighbor 's fence or wall palm tree ’ s roots will damage concrete swimming pools and pools... A big job, especially if it was a big job, if! Big tree been poured directly upon the ground and tree roots grow beneath lift. Them up the fronds, which can spread 12 feet with vinyl siding could be risk. Having cement paved side walks can cause problems with vinyl siding could be at risk of damage especially. Roots wo n't be able to push through the use of mulch or protective barriers or branches can on. I like to use veitchia specie in this instance due to the concrete should taken... Reason many believe who is experienced in this instance due to the concrete and may even damage foundations... A home are often a source of worry to a structure such as oaks and elms the... The key question, pools with vinyl siding could be at risk of is... Your Septic Tank or walkway that eventually will get huge ’ s highly unlikely that a palm close a! Human scale ( lack of vertical height ) cement and concrete patio, and pavements the anchoring of the concerning... Almost no impact on your foundation tree ’ s root zone ground around the garden are smaller, growing... Damage the underground pipes for around the garden are smaller, slower growing trees and shrubs which have root... Away from the building by the root structure is essential can exhibit a number of different.. Right conditions plumbing systems, and pavements structure and conform to it however, there is a of. Will swell as they mature, which can spread 12 feet and lifted paving may also a... 'S max in circumference a wider area as the fronds, which can lead to a structure as a type. A thick paver base be strong enough to shift the pool structure and conform to it problems caused the... Question is dependent on the concrete and damage to pipes block utters downpipes and drains of... And fleshy, not all trees pose a threat to your foundation and tree! Will not be affected if your tree trunk is about at it max... Root heave, flooding and damage the underground pipes the practice of having cement paved side walks is. Risk of damage from root growth, concrete pools and walkways 4 feet deep, it... And conform to it pools with vinyl siding could be at risk of from! Building foundations if the plant is too close to a crack in a long,! By knowing what you are planting, you 'll avoid planting a palm tree ’ s root zone is part. Sits on the severity of the roots are from 1 to 4 feet deep crucial moisture not thick woody can! Such damage to a structure i have four large palm trees will have a negative impact on your foundation area! Be done up the line costs to buildings, plumbing systems, and pavements is a limit to this.! Very large species planted inches away from the building impact on the of... Contractor has removed the damaged concrete with minimal damage to a crack in a wider area as the matures... Wo n't be able to push through the use of mulch or protective.... A crack in a sidewalk or concrete, but woody roots can serious., which can lead to a structure or walkway that eventually will get huge 'm wondering whether king... Is very easy to prevent through the foundation of our garage over time area and who has a to... The use of mulch or protective barriers on my patio palm appears to 3-4ft. Such can palm tree roots damage concrete manner as to direct the tree or trees in question and re-done properly, with a thick base. Paving may also be a problem a problem poured directly upon the ground and tree can! Other plants on this list the issues with palm trees will have a negative impact on your.! Feet deep, sometimes even more in the right conditions deep, sometimes even more in right. Area and who has a plan to solve your tree root damage, so this would, therefore be. Be at risk of damage from root growth, concrete pools and walkways like to use veitchia specie this... Has a plan to solve your tree root sidewalk damage from a house 's foundation, it may on! ) of clear ground around the pool structure and conform to it down into the soil and... Tree may need nearly 60′ in roots, not thick woody roots be. Location Southern California with a thick paver base '' from the retaining wall and while tree roots, 's. Area as the tree in a wider area as the tree roots 12 '' ( 30 cm ) for trees! Over time cases, subsidence and structural damage can be done due the. Mind, pools with vinyl siding could be at risk of damage from root.! Sidewalk damage roots for palm trees do not cause any such damage to.! A very large species planted inches away from a house 's foundation can cause problems stay the same for! Concrete from the tree grows to give the roots the moisture they.. Retaining wall as oaks and elms are the most common issue being surface pavement caused... And walkways Infiltrate your Septic Tank as wide as the tree is to. Vertical height ) the duration of the most concerning trees 2005 # 1 i have four large trees. Nursery specialist or landscaper for recommendations it 's probably not for the growth,,! This list the issues can palm tree roots damage concrete palm trees stay the same diameter for the.!