I moved into a house built in 2001 on a cement slab (slab
height = 18″). Around 1 foot from my foundation is planted a Maple tree.
I have been told that it is a Vine Maple. It is around 15 feet tall. My
neighbor told me to pull out the tree because the roots will crack the
foundation of my house. I don’t want to get rid of the tree unless this
is true. I went to a nursery today, and they said that it is very
unlikely that the tree will damage the foundation (unless the foundation
is already cracked and the roots make these cracks worse). What do you
think? I have no idea if the foundation has cracks that the tree could
exacerbate or if a Vine Maple in general would crack a foundation like
this.
I do think that planting anything one foot or less from the house is not
ideal, especially a tree. However, vine maple roots have a low potential
to cause damage, according to the database of the Urban Forest Ecosystems
Institute (see full tree record for Acer circinatum).
On the question of how close to a house a tree can be planted, I found
the following from New Mexico State University Extension site, in answer
to a question like yours about root damage potential:
“A more important consideration is keeping the branches from rubbing
against the house and damaging the stucco, siding, or paint and shingles.
By planting the plant a distance greater than the expected mature crown
radius from the house, you will avoid damage to the house by branches.
You will still benefit from shade if the tree is properly positioned.
“Many trees are planted so that their branches are trimmed to be higher
than the roof and then grow over the roof. Remember, if one of these
large branches breaks in a wind storm, it can damage the roof, so
distance from the house is the best protection from such damage. Learn
how widely the branches spread from the trunk when the tree is mature and
plant at least that distance from the house. Yes, you can break this
rule-of-thumb, but the hazards increase when you do.”
You may want to consult a certified arborist to evaluate the situation,
and see if you can keep the tree where it is. To find a certified
arborist, contact Plant Amnesty or the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.