{"id":2745,"date":"2019-05-17T00:04:33","date_gmt":"2019-05-17T07:04:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/pal\/pal-question-538\/"},"modified":"2024-01-27T10:34:47","modified_gmt":"2024-01-27T18:34:47","slug":"river-birch-and-root-damage-potential","status":"publish","type":"pal","link":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/pal\/river-birch-and-root-damage-potential\/","title":{"rendered":"River birch and root damage potential"},"content":{"rendered":"

A landscaper planted a River birch next to our house 9 years ago. The roots are everywhere. We heard that this is one of the worst trees to plant next to a house. We have a basement. What should we do?<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

River birch (Betula nigra<\/em>) is rated as having moderate root damage
\npotential by the Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute.<\/a><\/p>\n

The following, from University of Saskatchewan’s “Guide to Birch Trees,” supports what you have heard about planting this tree near a structure, but takes the approach that it is not good for the tree, rather than a danger to the foundation. Excerpt:<\/p>\n

“On a healthy birch, the roots will spread to a distance of at least twice
\nthe tree’s height. This means that the roots of a mature tree may cover
\nan area about one third the size of a football field. To permit proper
\nroot spread, trees should be planted as far as possible from any
\nobstruction that may interfere with root development. Sidewalks,
\ndriveways, patios and building foundations will all limit root
\ndevelopment. Where a tree is growing on heavy soils, aeration holes will
\nhelp maintain root vitality.”<\/p>\n

Tree roots are not likely to infiltrate a solid foundation, but if there
\nare cracks, it is certainly possible, and if tree roots expand
\nsufficiently over time, they may begin to exert pressure on the
\nfoundation. However, birch roots are shallow, as indicated in this USDA
\nForest Service guide<\/a> to growing birch trees.<\/p>\n

It is not a good idea to plant any tree right next to a house, if only
\nbecause the tree will undoubtedly require pruning to keep it out of the
\nway of windows, doors, and so forth. If you like the tree and would like
\nto move it to a better spot, you should consider contacting a certified
\narborist. Here are links to referral services.<\/p>\n

Plant Amnesty<\/a><\/p>\n

Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A landscaper planted a River birch next to our house 9 years ago. The roots are everywhere. We heard that this is one of the worst trees to plant next to a house. We have a basement. What should we do?   River birch (Betula nigra) is rated as having moderate root damage potential by the Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute. The following, from University of Saskatchewan’s “Guide to Birch Trees,” supports what you have heard about planting this tree near…<\/p>\n

Continue reading River birch and root damage potential<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","keyword":[615],"class_list":["post-2745","pal","type-pal","status-publish","hentry","keyword-betula"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pal\/2745"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pal"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/pal"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2745"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"keyword","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/depts.washington.edu\/hortlib\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/keyword?post=2745"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}