I just bought this house...Question...My nieghbor has a huge pine tree with its roots in my back yard, the tree is about 20 feet from my house, I have a Pear tree in my back yard,about 15 feet away from my house. I have ROOTS all over the place, knowing I can't get rid of them....Question: I have some Pear tree surface roots all over the place, and about 3 feet{ to my knowledge so far} from my foundation? Will this hurt my foundation of my house with all these roots around me? What should I do? Should I cut down this Pear tree and landscape accordingly? If I cut down the Pear tree will the roots continue to grow? Help?

Reply to post by Pam , on May 25, 2003 at 11:37:20:

While we have all seen pavement lifted by tree roots, my understanding is that tree roots generally do not succeed in breaking a well-built foundation wall. If there is a flaw already in the wall, then it is possible that the force of tree roots might be able to move the foundation out of position.

The largest roots of a tree are closest to the trunk, and the secondary roots branching from them are smaller. Feeder roots are very small, and they do not displace the soil and other objects to the extent of the larger roots. In good soil, tree feeder roots may often be found well beyond the "drip edge" of the canopy (foliage). Roots seen on the soil surface are often there because of several reasons: 1)lack of soil moisture below, but frequent shallow irrigation 2)lack of soil oxygen due to soil compaction or poor drainage, 3)physically impenetrable material below the surface. Roots grow where they can get a supply of moisture and adequate oxygen.

Reply to post by Mark Goodwin, on May 25, 2003 at 11:37:20:

You might find the linked site informative.
In England there seems to be special concern about the effect of trees on the swelling and shrinking of certain types of clay soils, leading to movement of foundations. But in most soils the concern will be more about the size potential of the tree, the proximity of the tree trunk to the structure, and the type of structure (whether light or heavy in construction).

Reply to post by Mark Goodwin, on May 25, 2003 at 16:05:50:

Perhaps you can find the referenced article this way.