Cherry tree roots can be an issue for foundation damage if they are planted too close to the house. In fact, it’s something to consider before planting one near a foundation, as they can cause extensive damage to incoming sewer lines and property foundations. That said, cherry trees are popular backyard trees, whose beauty can be great enhancing factor in landscaping. This article will discuss the potential damage cherry tree roots can cause to a foundation, data and perspectives from experts, discuss own insights and analysis, aim to educate and engage the reader and offer a few case studies for further understanding.
Types of Damage
Foundations consist of concrete, polymers and stabilisers poured over reinforcing rods embedded in the ground. Cherry tree roots can penetrate into the ground and work their way under foundations, potentially disrupting and destabilising it, which could cause significant or even irreparable damage. Other types of damage that can occur include cracking, heaving and sinking of the foundation. Cherry tree roots can also cause plumbing problems such as leaking pipes and an insufficient amount of water running through them, due to the stress of the roots over the years.
Preventive Measures
You should be mindful of where you plant your cherry tree and take necessary precautions to protect your foundation and other parts of the house. One of the best preventive measures is to check with a specialist in tree roots, who can examine the tree and tell you how far the roots can spread and the different options of preventing damage to the foundation. This could involve interventions such as planting the tree in a specified distance from the foundation of creating a barrier such as deep trenches, rigid pipes or metal sheets that can be inserted in the ground.
Data and Perspectives from Experts
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources produced research results which showed that cherry tree roots can cause significant damage to property foundations, pipes, and other structures if planted too close to them. They noted that ‘the trunk and roots of fruit trees should not be planted close to your house, driveway, or any other significant foundation, as this can damage the foundation over time.’
Other experts have shared their perspectives on the subject. Boris Aberele, a certified arborist and founder of Arborology Tree Care states that tree roots are a natural hazard that can damage foundations and structures, specifically mentioning cherry trees. He said, “Cherry trees, with their strong and complex root network, need room to spread. Any tree that is planted too close to a house or foundation can cause problems with plumbing lines, air conditioning units, and foundations.”
Own Insights and Analysis
In order to determine if a cherry tree can damage a foundation, it is important to consider the type of soil, slope and size of the lot, in addition to the type of foundation, since different foundations such as wood or concrete are more or less prone to damage from roots. Furthermore, the proximity to the house and the tree size are essential factors for predicting the likely damage, as it can take several years for the damage to appear.
Educate and Engage the Reader
To help prevent damage towards a foundation it is important to identify the type of tree, follow planting instructions and stay within recommended distance for planting. On soil without high capacity for expansion, it is advisable to stay at least 4-5 metres away from the house. Similarly, with sloped terrain, care should be taken to avoid settling borders and recommended distance may increase to 5-8 metres. In such cases, it is best to consult with a certified arborist before planting a cherry tree close to a foundation.
Case Studies
In the case of Jill, a homeowner in New Jersey, the cherry tree roots were found to have damaged a large portion of their basement foundation. It is believed that the tree was planted 10 metres away from the house and had been growing for over 10 years. Having overlooked the damage for some time, it was finally detected when water was found leaking from the basement walls. Jill decided to have the cherry tree removed in order to prevent any further damage.
Similarly, in Melbourne, Australia homeowner Mark experienced cherry tree roots causing a severe damage to his house foundations. He was also advised to have the tree removed, however he chose to manage the roots with preventive measures such as deep trenching and specialised fluids to counter the effects of the tree roots. After a few years, he was recommended to check the foundations again as cherry trees are known to have steady growing roots that can cause ongoing damage over the years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that cherry tree roots can cause a great amount of damage to property foundations. This can however be prevented by taking the necessary preventative measures, such as staying within the recommended distance from the house, having advice from a certified arborist and implementing preventive solutions such as deep trenching or fluids. However, if the damage has been caused and spreading over many years, it is likely to be best to have the tree removed.
