Can Tree Roots Damage Your Foundation in Texas? What Actually Happens

Ask around Leander or Cedar Park and you'll hear that trees crack foundations. The truth is more specific. Roots rarely push through a slab. The real issue in Central Texas is usually moisture.

How trees affect foundations here

Much of the Austin area, especially east of the Balcones Escarpment, has expansive clay soil that swells when wet and shrinks when dry. Most homes sit on slab foundations on that soil.

A large tree near the house can pull a lot of water out of the soil, especially during drought. That can make the soil under one side of the slab shrink more than the other, which can contribute to:

• cracks in drywall over doors and windows (see drywall cracks: when to worry),
• doors and windows that stick,
• cracks in brick or the slab itself.

West of the escarpment (much of western Leander, Cedar Park and the Hill Country), homes often sit on shallow soil over limestone, which moves less. Even there, big trees close to the house can still affect slabs, driveways and sidewalks.

Roots and other things they damage

Roots more often cause direct damage to:

• sidewalks and driveways (lifting and cracking),
• fences,
• old clay or cast-iron sewer lines, where roots get in through joints and cracks,
• pool decks and patios.

Which trees are the biggest concern near a house

• Large, thirsty trees close to the foundation: live oaks, pecans, cedar elms and some fast-growing species.
• Fast growers planted too close, like Arizona ash and hackberry. See hackberry removal.
• Trees planted within a few feet of the house that seemed small at the time.

A common rule of thumb is to keep large shade trees at least 15 to 20 feet from the foundation, farther for very large species.

Should you remove the tree?

Not automatically. Removing a large, established tree right next to a house can cause problems too. The soil that tree was drying out can swell back as moisture returns.

Better first steps:

1. Have the foundation evaluated by a foundation professional or structural engineer if you're seeing signs of movement.
2. Water evenly around the foundation during drought to reduce soil shrinkage.
3. Consider a root barrier installed by a professional between the tree and the house.
4. Remove the tree if it's too close, damaging lines or hardscape, or the engineer recommends it.

Don't cut big roots on your own

Cutting large roots close to the trunk to protect a foundation or driveway can destabilize the tree and make it more likely to fall, possibly onto the house you're trying to protect. Get professional advice first.

Frequently asked questions

Can tree roots crack a slab foundation? Roots rarely break through a slab. More often, a large nearby tree dries out clay soil unevenly, which can contribute to foundation movement.

How far should a tree be from a house in Texas? As a rule of thumb, at least 15 to 20 feet for large shade trees, and farther for very large species.

Should I remove a tree that's close to my foundation? Not automatically. Get the foundation evaluated first. Removing a big established tree can also change soil moisture under the house.

Do tree roots get into sewer lines? Yes, especially older clay or cast-iron lines with cracks or loose joints. A plumber can camera the line to check.

Tree too close to the house?

Use the form below with photos of the tree and how close it is to the house, driveway or lines. We'll give you an honest recommendation and a written price if removal makes sense. More on our tree service.