oak tree vs concrete foundation

pharcyder · 12th July 2010, 12:31 PM

Hello,
I just bought a house and I have a big, beautiful oak tree in my back yard. However, I'm concerned that the tree will damage my concrete slab foundation. The tree is about 12 feet away from the house. Also, the home is a horseshoe shape and it wraps around the tree. I have included pictures. Here are my questions:

1) Can the tree potentially damage my foundation?
2) If the tree can damage my foundation, should I install a root barrier?
3) If the tree can damage my foundation, should I remove the tree?
4) Do you have any recommendations for me?

glennak · 12th July 2010, 07:36 PM

Has the house been built around the tree?
What type of soil do you have?
How deep are your footings?
Roots are unlikly to go under slab as it is probably dryer under there than elsewhere
Have you noticed any movement in the house?

dov · 14th July 2010, 12:57 AM

How old is the house?

Brent Ferris · 14th July 2010, 10:13 PM

How about some pictures of the crown of the tree? Is it showing any distress? Is the crown well-formed? or are branches more on one side - like away from the house?

And any idea what kind of oak? Pics of leaves and bark would help.

Eric Frei · 15th July 2010, 08:15 PM

Some serious cracks in the soil there. Likely you are on clay. Tough for the tree with no mulch either. Clay soils (and there's many types) shrink when they dry out, and tree roots (fine ones) do go under slabs as it can be damper there where there's no evaporation. The tree drys the soil out more and there can be subsidence as the clay shrinks and the house sinks a bit and you get cracks.

Rehydration helps, mulch would also help prevent evaporation and yes, root barrier will stop tree roots going under the slab but you need to stay about 1.5m or so away from the slab to get the best effect.

Why don't you experiment and dig a small narrow trench along the edge of the slab for a couple of feet, say 1' deep and see what you find?

Your question, like the many above who have answered it, has many components and unknowns. Also, cutting the tree down can create either heave or subsidence as the roots decay .... plus termites. So all factors need to be analysed.

12th July 2010, 12:31 PM	#1
pharcyder I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: monterey, california Posts: 1	oak tree vs concrete foundation Hello, I just bought a house and I have a big, beautiful oak tree in my back yard. However, I'm concerned that the tree will damage my concrete slab foundation. The tree is about 12 feet away from the house. Also, the home is a horseshoe shape and it wraps around the tree. I have included pictures. Here are my questions: 1) Can the tree potentially damage my foundation? 2) If the tree can damage my foundation, should I install a root barrier? 3) If the tree can damage my foundation, should I remove the tree? 4) Do you have any recommendations for me? Attached Thumbnails

12th July 2010, 07:36 PM	#2
glennak Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 179	Re: oak tree vs concrete foundation Has the house been built around the tree? What type of soil do you have? How deep are your footings? Roots are unlikly to go under slab as it is probably dryer under there than elsewhere Have you noticed any movement in the house?

14th July 2010, 12:57 AM	#3
dov Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 649	Re: oak tree vs concrete foundation How old is the house?

14th July 2010, 10:13 PM	#4
Brent Ferris Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,557	Re: oak tree vs concrete foundation How about some pictures of the crown of the tree? Is it showing any distress? Is the crown well-formed? or are branches more on one side - like away from the house? And any idea what kind of oak? Pics of leaves and bark would help.

15th July 2010, 08:15 PM	#5
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,993	Re: oak tree vs concrete foundation Some serious cracks in the soil there. Likely you are on clay. Tough for the tree with no mulch either. Clay soils (and there's many types) shrink when they dry out, and tree roots (fine ones) do go under slabs as it can be damper there where there's no evaporation. The tree drys the soil out more and there can be subsidence as the clay shrinks and the house sinks a bit and you get cracks. Rehydration helps, mulch would also help prevent evaporation and yes, root barrier will stop tree roots going under the slab but you need to stay about 1.5m or so away from the slab to get the best effect. Why don't you experiment and dig a small narrow trench along the edge of the slab for a couple of feet, say 1' deep and see what you find? Your question, like the many above who have answered it, has many components and unknowns. Also, cutting the tree down can create either heave or subsidence as the roots decay .... plus termites. So all factors need to be analysed. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

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