Large, mature trees contain root systems that often spread for dozens of feet around the trunk. Sometimes, those roots grow near or into your home’s foundation. When you remove mature trees from your property, you need to consider the potential impact on your home’s structure and safety.
Can removing a tree cause foundation problems? Sometimes, but working with professional tree services in Spicewood, TX, can help you understand whether your property faces this risk.
Potential Foundation Problems From Tree Removal
Many homeowners don’t initially recognize the connection between tree roots and foundation damage. But root systems can often be large and unruly. Because you cannot see them, you may not understand how they are intermingling with your home’s structural support.
When arborists cut down trees, they typically do not pull the roots out of the ground. However, the root system will begin to die over time when it no longer receives nutrition and moisture from the trunk. A few risks of removing tree roots near the foundation include:
- Flooding and erosion: Because the roots no longer absorb water from the ground, the area can flood after a heavy rainstorm, causing moisture to leak under the property and into your basement.
- Lack of soil support: The soil surrounding roots has the right level of compaction to support the trunk and branches. When the root system dies, the soil may not be as compact, making it less supportive.
- Damage from protruding roots: If roots have already begun protruding into the concrete near your home, killing them could cause further damage.
Factors Affecting the Impact of Tree Removal on Your Home’s Foundation
Can removing a tree cause foundation problems? Professional arborists will assess the following factors to determine the risk of such issues, ultimately informing their decisions about tree trimming and removal:
- Location of the trunk: Trunks located several hundred feet from your home mean that the root system likely has not reached the property. However, removing a trunk that is within a few dozen yards of the property could cause problems.
- Age of the tree: Mature trees have far-reaching root systems. You can assume that the root system is about 1.5 times the diameter of the crown. As trees age, their crowns grow fuller, and the root system expands in conjunction with this visible growth.
- Type of soil: Some soil varieties are more susceptible to changes in moisture levels than others. For example, roots in clay soil absorb water quickly. When those roots no longer produce moisture, the soil can shift, causing structural problems.
- Existing root protrusion: Arborists can look for signs that the roots have already begun protruding near your home or other structures. If so, removal may increase the risk of tree roots affecting the property.
Always Enlist Professional Arborists for Guidance
Can removing a tree cause foundation problems? Yes, but you can rely on the arborists at Wilder Tree Company for guidance. Contact us today at 512-729-8733 to discuss hazardous tree signs or schedule a consultation.