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Do Pecan Tree Roots Hurt Your Foundation?

A pecan tree (Carya illinoinensis) planted close to your house can cause damage to the foundation. It does this not by boldly breaking through the cement and causing it to crumble, but by loosening the soil around the foundation, developing a pressure imbalance. The close proximity to the house is hard on the tree as well, often stunting its growth and inhibiting pecan production.

  1. Rule of Thumb

    • Pecan trees produce better when they are not crowded.

      As a general rule, a pecan tree should be at least 30 feet from any building, other tree or power line. Its shallow root system will grow at least two times the width of the tree canopy as it searches for water. No building should be near enough to shade any portion of this sun-loving tree.

    Foundation Damage

    • A tree root can destroy the soil balance around a foundation.

      If the pecan tree is too close to a home's foundation, it robs the soil surrounding the foundation of its moisture. The soil becomes looser, and the amount of pressure exerted on the foundation wall changes. Over time, the foundation wall can start to bow outward.

    Tree Size

    • Pecan trees can grow very tall.

      Native to North American river and creek bottoms, the pecan tree can grow more than 100 feet in height and have an expansive tree canopy. Keep in mind that its root system underground is at least double the width of the treetop diameter that you can see overhead. Branches that reach out too close to homes should be trimmed in the late winter when the tree is dormant.

    Other Considerations

    • Pecan trees need lots of moisture for production.

      Besides ensuring that pecan trees are not planted too close to cement foundations, care should also be taken to keep roots from extending under concrete driveways. The moisture the tree desperately needs cannot reach its roots under concrete, and the quality and quantity of the sweet, edible nuts it produces will be seriously impacted.

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Landscaping Trees
  1. Digging and Cutting Tree Roots
  2. Can Cypress Tree Roots Cause Foundation Trouble?
  3. Problems with Pecan Tree Roots
  4. Tree Mulching Equipment
  5. Cutting Tree Roots vs. Cutting a Tree Down
  6. Pecan Tree Uses
  7. Tree Root Foundation Problems
  8. What to Do to Treat a Sick Pecan Tree
  9. Will Pine Tree Roots Damage a Foundation?
  10. Can an Uprooted Tree Be Replanted?
  11. Pecan Tree Commonly Found in the U.S.
  12. Tree Roots: Recommended Distance

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