Sunburst locust - too close to basement?

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I have a sunburst locust tree that is about 25 feet tall. It is located 13 feet from my basement and wondering if it is too close and may cause problems as it grows with cracking the cement walls, etc? I am having a tree removal crew come next week to do other work and thinking of having them remove this tree. Thanks!

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

6 years ago

If your foundation is structurally sound - no cracks or settlement, etc. - then there is minimal concern about the tree roots causing problems. Honey locusts are not known to have invasive/aggressive root systems.

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Comments (6)

Dave Adams
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for the reply. I wasn't too concerned but a couple of different local nurseries said that the roots can spread about double the size of the tree crown. They said that at maturity with a 30' crown spread, the locust tree roots can spread to 60' so I ideally want 30' of distance from my house. Does the roots being non aggressive negate the spread size issue? thks!
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Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
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Concrete, bleh. I have looked at more basements cracks lately filled with nipple having glue and have noticed no correlation between trees and cracks. Which way your gutters drain, what year your home was built in, how the bulder had to modify the landscape and avoiding mud-jacking decks, patios and driveways is more important.

In summary, I wouldn't push my luck with a weeping willow touching my home but your tree looks fine.
bengz6westmd
6 years ago
Agree that the locust shouldn't be an issue & not worth worrying about. Looks like it's been limbed up excessively.....
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
isnt it closer to the neighbors house ... lol ... no concern there

ken
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
The concerns about tree roots in close proximity to foundations are generally overstated. ALL trees develop widely spreading root systems - 2-3 times the width of the mature canopy is the generalized rule of thumb, however various conditions can either increase or decrease this spread.

Where I live, large, 60-80'+ native conifers are common on residential properties and these can have some very extensive root systems - extending 200-300 feet or more from the base of the trunk. Obviously, these are not all planted at that distance away from any structures - some are very close, within 10-20' - but if the tree is considered to be healthy and well-anchored and the foundation is also structurally sound, there is no real concern about "root invasion"!! When roots encounter a solid object, like a foundation, the just change direction. And the vast majority of peripheral roots are fine feeder roots of very small diameter. Most concerns about a foundation's structural integrity are due to soil subsidence, not tree roots.

This is a different situation from trees with water seeking roots and proximity with inground plumbing and piping and septic systems.

Sunburst locust - too close to basement?

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

Comments (6)

Dave Adams
Original Author

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Sunburst locust - too close to basement?

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

Comments (6)

Dave AdamsOriginal Author

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Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis

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Dave Adams
Original Author