What is the minimum distance away from a home on a concrete slab that trees can be planted safely?

Question

We have a new home that was built on a concrete slab and we feel the builder planted 3-4 trees (pin oak, maple and birch) too close to the house so we want him to move them back. He says they are ok. We will check with our agricultural extension agent after the holidays. We're afraid that roots may hurt the foundation down the road or that they may damage the house in a big storm. Happy New Year and Thanks.

Answer 1

I agree, 10 or 15 feet away from your slab except for some ornamental trees (not the ones mentioned).

Answer 2

The birch and maple should be at least 12 feet away, so that they can spread out without scratching the house. You can do a little selective pruning as they grow to avert branches that are growing too close for comfort. The pin oak would be good out away from the house. When I plant things I like to look out a window and see where my eyes travel. I set the plant about where I think I want it and then look again. So I have a tree that comes into view as I do dishes and one that appears as I come down the stairs. One that blocks my eyes from the neighbors big window. There is a big Austrian pine that has reached the peak of the house, and it is only about 15 feet out. Just depends how much light you want. I don't really trust builders to do the right thing about trees. Maybe your local nursery has someone who could come and look and advise, quick before they weasel out of satisfying your requests. Happy Home!

Answer 3

the roots will spread out the same distance as the branches...it is true that the larger part of the root can damage the foundation and drainage/plumbing system. Have him move the trees now since these are very large species. If the slab is not down below the surface too far the roots may be able to grow/spread beneath the floor.

Answer 4

a house with a circulate slowly area is honestly extra helpful than a house on a concrete slab. If a drain, water line or duct artwork subject develops you get interior the circulate slowly area and fasten the drain, water line or duct artwork. With a concrete slab you initiate breaking out concrete and not probable with the flexibility to renowned noticeably the place the subject is until you have placed it with the aid of tearing out concrete. in case you want to characteristic an electric line, telephone line etc. it is finished with the aid of drilling a hollow interior the direction of the wall backside plate and fishing the cord up approx. 14". On a slab you run cord interior the direction of the attic and fish it down a wall approx. 7'. All concrete cracks, in case you may ensue to have some thing interior the slab like in slab heating and an important crack develops the full heating gadget could be compromised. Now to get warmth interior the homestead you will ought to distribute the warmth interior the direction of the attic and feed interior the direction of the ceiling. Distribution of warmth from the ceiling is confusing considering the fact that warmth rises. (could be good for air con however.) in case you may want to redesign and alter wall places the in floor ducts might desire to no longer be relocated to manage the hot room format. besides the undeniable fact that water line adjustments are obtainable in a slab homestead, run interior the direction of the partitions, any drain adjustments or upkeep might require slab removing. besides the undeniable fact that there is extra wood in a circulate slowly area homestead, termite issues can exist in circulate slowly or slab homes. Mice can get right into a slab homestead as nicely as a circulate slowly area homestead. you could cope with the mouse subject interior the circulate slowly area and not interior your place suitable. The flooring in a circulate slowly area homestead are warmer than a slab homestead. The grade under the home is decrease, and warmer, than the grade under the slab and there is the circulate slowly area air that aids in insulating the floor.

Answer 5

I would get him to move them now as the roots will extend out the same distance of the drip line of the tree (edge of branches).

These roots can effect the foundation by pushing up on it. Also if the tree dies and the root rot away you can get uneven settlement.

Get the problem fixed now.

Answer 6

For those trees, I'd say about 10 feet away from your house would be a minimum. You could keeped them very trimmed but if they are anything less than at least 8 feet, your contractor has a problem.