Tree root damage occurs when the root system of a tree displaces or destroys property structures, like foundations, driveways, and underground pipes, as it strives to get moisture and nutrients from the land. Although trees are great for the property value and health of the environment, if not maintained properly, they can cause major structural problems if they are not properly maintained by professionals like Monkeyman’s Tree Service.
What are the primary causes of tree root damage?
Tree root damage is primarily caused by the biological drive of a tree to find water and stability, coupled with environmental factors like soil composition and improper planting. Understanding these causes is the first step in preventing long-term structural failure on your property.
1. Hydrotropism (The Search for Water)
Roots do not grow randomly; they grow toward moisture in a process called hydrotropism. In dry climates or during summer droughts, tree roots will travel great distances to find water. If your home has a small leak in a sewer pipe or if condensation collects along your foundation, roots will naturally gravitate toward these areas, eventually causing pressure-related damage.
2. Soil Subsidence and Shrinkage
One of the most common causes of foundation issues is not the root itself, but the way the root affects the soil. Large trees consume hundreds of gallons of water daily. When a tree is planted too close to a house, it dehydrates the soil beneath the foundation. In areas with high clay content, this dehydration causes the soil to shrink and pull away from the concrete. This loss of support causes the foundation to settle unevenly, leading to cracks.
3. Opportunistic Growth in Existing Cracks
Contrary to popular belief, tree roots rarely “punch” through solid, intact concrete. Instead, they are opportunistic. If a foundation or a sewer pipe already has a microscopic hairline crack due to age or settling, the root enters that gap. As the root grows in diameter, it acts like a slow-motion wedge, expanding the crack until the structure fails entirely.
4. Selection of Invasive Species
Certain tree species are biologically programmed to have aggressive, shallow, and fast-growing root systems. Species like Willows, Poplars, and Silver Maples are frequent culprits. When these species are planted in urban environments without enough space to expand, they inevitably come into conflict with “grey infrastructure” like sidewalks and utility lines.
5. Soil Compaction and Oxygen Seeking
Roots need oxygen to survive. In urban settings where soil is heavily compacted by construction or foot traffic, roots will often grow very close to the surface to “breathe.” This upward growth is the primary cause of buckled driveways and lifted pavers, as the thickening woody roots push against the weight of the pavement above them.
What are the types of Tree Root Damage?
Damage to trees occurs on a variety of different infrastructure types and through various forms of biological damage. Homeowners often experience three types of damage, all of which can be spotted by Monkeyman’s Tree Service:
This is the most serious form of damage and takes two forms:
1. Structural Foundation Damage (Subsidence & Heave) :
Soil subsidence occurs when large quantities of water are withdrawn by the roots from clay soils, leaving behind a gap that causes the foundation to sink. Root heave is the opposite of root decay, happening when a large structural root grows directly under a shallow foundation or slab, and physically raises the concrete as the root gets bigger in diameter. Either cause cracks in walls, irregular ground and structural damage.
2. Hardscape and Pavement Displacement
It is damage to “horizontal” infrastructure like driveways, sidewalks, patios, and retaining walls. Roots tend to grow towards the surface of concrete because they contain more moisture and oxygen under the concrete than in the surrounding soil. The roots grow and grow over the years (or even decades) and put thousands of pounds of pressure on the asphalt, cracking or tilting concrete slabs. This can cause a real hazard for tripping, and may result in city code violation for homeowners.
3. Underground Utility and Pipe Intrusions
Sewer lines, septic, and water mains are particularly vulnerable to root intrusion. A sound pipe is not normally broken by roots it is broken opportunistically. They gain access via small cracks or broken seals and old fittings and look for the water that has a high nutrient content. The roots grow rapidly and form a thick mat of hair that hovers on the ground and ingests solid debris, causing constant clogs, backups and eventual pipe failure.
4. Competitive Landscape Damage – “biological” damage – root system of dominant tree outcompetes other landscaping for essential resources. The roots of smaller ornamental trees, shrubs or flower beds may be smothered by the large, aggressive root systems by competing with them for water and soil nutrients. Also, shallow rooting can cause the inability of turfgrass to grow, resulting in unsightly bare areas of soil and soil erosion around the base of the tree.
Can tree roots damage a house foundation?
Tree roots can damage the foundation of a house, although they seldom ‘drill through solid concrete; rather, they use existing hairline cracks or cause shrinkage of the soil (subsidence) and thus set the foundation. If a large tree grows too near to a house, the roots can suck up a tremendous amount of water from the soil, leaving the soil to dry up and shrink, which might lead to cracks in the foundation or a shift in the foundation.
Monkeyman’s Tree Service often finds foundation problems if a large tree, such as a Maple or Oak, is located within 10 feet of a house in Portland and the surrounding region. The foundation settles into the cracks as the soil shrinks and dries, which can lead to cracks in the walls and uneven floors.
What are the 7 warning signs of tree root damage around your property?
Identifying the early warning signs of tree root damage can save homeowners thousands of dollars in invasive repairs. Monkeyman’s Tree Service recommends inspecting your property for these specific indicators:
- Cracks in Foundation Walls: Vertical or stair-step cracks in the basement or exterior foundation often indicate soil shifting caused by root activity.
- Buckling Pavement or Driveways: Roots growing directly beneath asphalt or concrete slabs will lift the surface, creating “root heaves” and tripping hazards.
- Slow-Draining Sinks and Toilets: Tree roots in sewer lines are a common cause of chronic backups, as roots enter pipe joints to access water.
- Uneven or Sloping Floors: If one side of your home feels lower than the other, it may be due to root-induced soil subsidence.
- Sticking Doors and Windows: When a foundation shifts due to root growth, door frames and window casings fall out of square, making them difficult to operate.
- Dead Patches in Grass: Large surface roots can outcompete your lawn for nutrients and water, leading to localized yellowing or dying grass.
- Visible Surface Roots: Thick, woody roots protruding from the ground near the structure indicate a system that has outgrown its current space.
How do tree roots enter sewer lines and plumbing?
Tree roots gain access to sewer lines through tiny cracks or loose joints in older sewer materials such as clay, concrete or cast iron. Sewer pipes are a “magnet” to thirsty tree roots, which can detect the moisture vapor escaping from a sewer pipe leak. After one hair-like root grows into the pipe, it grows fast in the nutrient rich surrounding, and eventually a “root ball” fills the pipe and prevents waste from going down.
Monkeyman’s Tree Service offers root damage inspection services to assess root damage and identify if the problem is from the landscaping. If not addressed, the force of the roots can cause the line to crack completely, and a new sewer line will need to be put in place.
What are the most common tree root problems for urban properties?
In urban and suburban environments, tree root problems typically manifest as conflicts between biological growth and “grey infrastructure” like sidewalks and utility lines. The primary issues include:
- Hardscape Displacement: Roots often grow directly beneath sidewalks because the underside of the concrete retains moisture. This results in cracked walkways that violate local municipal codes.
- Nutrient Competition: In crowded landscapes, the roots of a dominant tree may “strangle” smaller ornamental plants or hedges by hogging the available water supply.
- Infrastructure Interference: Roots can wrap around underground gas or water lines, making it dangerous to perform routine maintenance or repairs on those utilities.
How does Monkeyman’s Tree Service perform a root damage inspection?
A professional root damage inspection involves an assessment of the tree species, its distance from structures, and the visible impact on the surrounding soil and hardscape. Monkeyman’s Tree Service evaluates the “Critical Root Zone” (CRZ) to determine if removing specific roots is possible without killing the tree or compromising its stability.
During an inspection, our arborists look for signs of “girdling roots,” which are roots that circle the base of the trunk and eventually choke the tree’s vascular system. We also use specialized tools to probe the soil and determine the depth and direction of major lateral roots that may be encroaching on your home’s footprint.
What are the best methods for preventing tree root damage?
Prevention is the most cost-effective way to manage tree root problems. Homeowners should consider these strategies:
- Proper Tree Selection: Choose “foundation-friendly” trees with non-invasive root systems, such as Dogwoods or certain varieties of Japanese Maples, for areas close to the home.
- Strategic Planting Distances: As a general rule, large trees should be planted at least 20 to 30 feet away from the house foundation and sewer lines.
- Root Barriers: Installing physical barriers made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) can redirect root growth downward and away from structures.
- Consistent Watering: By keeping the soil around the tree hydrated, you reduce the tree’s need to send roots long distances in search of water near your foundation or pipes.
Is it possible to remove roots, but not kill the tree?
Some of the roots can be pruned without causing the death of the tree provided that the “Rule of 25%” is adhered. The rule is that 25% of the entire tree’s root system should never be taken at any one time. If structural roots, larger than 2 inches in diameter, are removed, the risk of tree blowing over during a storm is greatly increased.
Monkeyman’s Tree Service is an expert in the art of precision root pruning and root barrier installation. Our team will make sure that the necessary roots will be removed through a surgical procedure, while maintaining the health of the canopy and the integrity of your property.
FAQs About Tree Root Damage
Q1. How far do tree roots usually spread?
Ans: Tree roots generally extend 2 to 3 times the area of the tree canopy (the drip line), and can grow much further when searching for water.
Q2. Will insurance cover damage to a foundation due to tree roots?
Ans: Damage from tree roots is typically excluded from most homeowners’ insurance policies because it is often considered “gradual maintenance” or “earth movement,” and prevention is key.
Q3. Will cutting a tree down stop the roots from growing?
Ans: After a tree is removed, the roots will cease to grow, but the roots that remain will slowly rot over a few years, and localized “voids” can form that cause surface settling.
Q4. Which trees are the most root invaders?
Ans: Willows, Silver Maples, American Elms and Poplars are species known to have a very aggressive and spreading root system, often causing damage to pipes and foundations.
Q5. How can I determine if a crack in my driveway is from a root?
Ans: If the concrete surface is uplifted (heaved) rather than merely parted and if a large tree is located within 10-15 feet, it is almost certain that the problem is due to a subterranean growth of the tree roots.
Q6. Will copper sulfate kill roots in sewer lines?
Ans: Copper sulfate will kill small roots in a pipe, but cannot prevent future root growth and will not repair the structural damage to the pipe.
Q7. What is a root barrier?
Ans: A root barrier is a barrier, typically constructed of plastic or metal, that prevents root growth into a designated space such as a foundation or a garden bed.
Q8. What is the cost of repairing tree roots?
Ans: The price for the removal of roots from a sewer line can range from $300-$600, and the cost for foundation repairs can be more than $10,000.
Is it a problem if there are surface roots? Not always – some species have shallow root systems by nature; if they are growing in shallow root zones by a driveway or patio, the surface roots will continue to crack as they grow thicker.
Q9. Should I remove the stump to slow the growth of the roots?
Ans: Yes, the grinding of the stump hastens the demise of root system and will prevent certain species from “suckering” or new shoots from growing from the remaining root system.
Q10. Why Hire Monkeyman’s Tree Service for Root Management?
Ans: Monkeyman’s Tree Service offers professional tree service and root management services in Portland, OR, and the surrounding area. Damage to trees necessitates a compromise between saving the tree and saving the value of the property. Our certified arborists are experienced in identifying root problems correctly and giving you a solution that works for the long term.
We can help if you have a driveway that is unsound, foundation issues or want a professional inspection before planting new trees. Our expertise and quality tools allow us to keep your property safe and our trees healthy.
Call Monkeyman’s Tree Service today at (503) 358-8733 to get a complete tree root damage assessment and ensure your home is safe.