When our beautiful trees in the Northshore area grow too close to buildings, root growth causes serious subsurface problems.
Jack’s Tree Service in Franklinton, Louisiana, has helped many homeowners identify and manage tree roots and foundation damage before the issue becomes a costly crisis.
Let’s explore how tree root systems can cause structural issues and when you need professional tree removal to protect your property.
Why Tree Roots Can Threaten Your Home’s Foundation Over Time
We’ve found that many property owners underestimate the reach of a tree’s roots. Most of our native species grow roots that stretch two to three times wider than the canopy. That means a 40-foot-wide tree could easily have roots extending 80 feet or more.
Roots naturally grow toward moisture and nutrients, which often leads them beneath homes, patios, and driveways. Structural damage from tree roots occurs in a few key ways:
- Direct pressure on foundations: As roots expand, they push against concrete slabs or foundation walls, potentially causing cracks or shifting.
- Soil shrinkage due to moisture loss: Trees with invasive root systems can extract large volumes of water from clay-rich soil, causing it to shrink and settle unevenly.
- Infiltration into sewer or water lines: Roots often find their way into tiny pipe cracks, worsening leaks, and contributing to foundation instability.
In areas like Franklinton and the Northshore region, where many homes sit on clay soils, these issues are especially common.
What Are the Signs of Tree Roots Damaging Your Foundation?
How can you tell if you’re dealing with tree roots and foundation damage that might require tree removal? Keep an eye out for:
- Hairline or widening cracks in your foundation, interior walls, or exterior brick
- Sloping or uneven floors inside your home
- Windows or doors that suddenly stick or won’t close properly
- Heaving sidewalks or lifted concrete slabs near large trees
- Visible roots over 1 inch thick within 10 to 15 feet of your house
These signs suggest that structural damage from tree roots may already be underway. Don’t wait. Addressing the problem early is far more affordable than repairing a severely compromised foundation.
Can You Prevent Damage Without Removing the Tree?
If the tree is still in good health and far enough from affected buildings, here are a few strategies to avoid removal:
- Install a root barrier: These underground shields redirect root growth away from your foundation. They’re best installed early but can be effective in select mature tree situations.
- Manage soil moisture: Using soaker hoses around the foundation helps maintain consistent hydration, reducing the chances of soil shrinkage from root absorption.
- Selective canopy pruning: Thinning the canopy can slow root growth by reducing the tree’s demand for water and nutrients.
However, none of these options guarantees success. If roots have already reached under your foundation, it may be too late for preventative measures.
When Should You Consider Cutting Roots Near Your Home?
If you’re considering a fix short of tree removal, you might ask about when to cut tree roots near a house. While root pruning can be a short-term remedy, approach it with caution.
Cutting roots may be appropriate if:
- Roots are visibly lifting concrete or walkways but haven’t yet affected the home’s foundation
- The roots in question are less than 2 inches in diameter
- Your tree expert determines that pruning won’t destabilize the tree
Cutting too many roots or the wrong ones can quickly kill the tree or make it more likely to fall. We always recommend a professional evaluation before any root pruning work.
When Tree Removal Is the Best Choice for Foundation Protection
Trees add value to your landscape, but tree removal for foundation protection may be the smartest option in some cases.
You should consider removing a tree when:
- Species with invasive root systems, like silver maple, poplar, and willow, are within 10 to 15 feet of your foundation
- You’re already seeing some of the signs of foundation damage we’ve discussed
- The tree is diseased, unstable, or at risk of falling
- Other solutions, like root barriers or moisture control, are too expensive or likely ineffective
Repairing a cracked foundation can cost tens of thousands of dollars. In many cases, tree removal for foundation protection costs far less and eliminates the direct threat.
Call Jack’s Tree Service If a Tree Might Be Damaging Your Foundation
Ignoring the signs of structural damage from tree roots could lead to expensive problems down the line. If you’ve spotted suspicious cracks, leaning patios, or thick roots snaking toward your home, it’s time to call in the pros.
Jack’s Tree Service is here to help you understand when to cut tree roots near a house or when to consider full tree removal for foundation protection.
Call (985) 515-8939 today or request a free quote online!
