Hot take: People are planting trees way too close to their houses

I was out quoting a job last week in a new development and saw a row of maple saplings maybe 3 feet from someone's foundation. In 10 years those roots are going to crack the driveway and the canopy will be scraping the roof. I see it all the time with homeowners who think small trees stay small. Has anyone else dealt with foundation damage from a tree that was planted too close?

3 comments

3 Comments

grant8265d ago

Yeah, I used to think you could just plant them anywhere. This changed my mind.

ellis.rose4d ago

My neighbor planted a Japanese maple three feet from his foundation and now his basement looks like a tiny swamp. @grant826 at least you figured it out before the plumbing bill hit.

richard_sanchez433d ago

three feet is a little close but honestly? i don't think it's that dramatic. i've seen maples planted way closer with no issues for years. maybe his drainage was already garbage and the tree just exposed it. @ellis.rose sounds like your neighbor probably had other problems brewing underground anyway.