can holly tree roots damage my house foundation - Ask Extension
We have 5 holly trees ( see pictures below) at least 30yr old planted 3-4 ft from the side of our house for privacy; our longtime insurance company ha...
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can holly tree roots damage my house foundation #446404
Asked April 05, 2018, 4:17 PM EDT
We have 5 holly trees ( see pictures below) at least 30yr old planted 3-4 ft from the side of our house for privacy; our longtime insurance company has stated they are not happy with these as they believe the roots may damage the house; we live in Bethesda and our house was built sometime in the 1950s; we are careful to trim and maintain the large trees (oak etc) which are on our block but had not considered the hollies to be any sort of hazard
is this likely to be possible?
many thanks
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Holly roots are not known to be aggressive but the trees are very close to your house. Any tree will exploit an existing crack in the foundation. Also, trees should not be planted too close to the foundation since the expanding root ball could damage the foundation.
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/trees/hgic1050.html
https://articles.extension.org/pages/73775/will-tree-roots-crack-my-homes-foundation
mh
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/trees/hgic1050.html
https://articles.extension.org/pages/73775/will-tree-roots-crack-my-homes-foundation
mh
many thanks
Frances
Frances
You are welcome.
mh
mh