Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 22, 2000 08:14pm | #1

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   shrubs and trees should be planted for their FUTURE size... but they usually get planted for how they look NOW... suppose you want an arborvitae that you will prune horizontal in later years.. plant it far enough away so you can maintain your siding,, and so the branches will not scrape on the siding

   keep the trees away so the mature tree's will not shed on the house...

   and if it has a weak structuire and is prone to desease keep it away from the house altogether..

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 23, 2000 04:06pm | #2

   *Jim P,Mike is correct that you should plant with the mature size in mind. Don't buy just any old shrub without knowing/asking about its eventual size.The subject of trees however, is something I'll disagree with most folks over. While a tree too close to the foundation at maturity can be disastrous this doesn't mean you need to keep them well away from the house.My home is shaded by a 80' Sycamore which acts as an umbrella over my home. Yeah, it adds some headaches with cleaning the gutters more frequently, but if the tree wasn't there it would change radically the livability of my home.Summer temperatures in the home are drastically reduced to the point I don't need a/c. Without that tree I would have a sun baked, centrally air conditioned, sealed up home which doesn't allow me to enjoy the sounds, smells, and air of a beautiful summer day or evening.You need to weigh the benefits of shrubbery and trees against the maintenance they necessitate, just like you do when comparing wood siding versus vinyl siding.Craig

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   Jim_Piaszynski | Apr 23, 2000 04:49pm | #3

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   I left my question open-ended because I wanted to hear a lot of opinions, but I also have a specific case in mind.

   I have a series of shrubs near the house, and I think they might be too close. Can shrub roots damage a foundation like tree roots can? How far do he roots spread?

   Thanks for the help!

3. 
   Guest_ | Apr 24, 2000 06:40pm | #4

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   Gentlemen. According to the Colorado Geographical Survey, in areas with plastic cays--clay soils--( remember that clays are expansive soils)shrubs should be no closer than 5 feet from the structure. Trees should be no closer than 15 feet. This should not be too far away for Craigs 80'Sycamore.

   We've recommended keeping shrugs, flower beds, and splash plates a minimum of 2 feet away from the foundation.GeneL.

4. 
   Kevin_Powell | Apr 24, 2000 08:51pm | #5

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   Another consideration when planting trees and shrubs near houses is the penetration of soil termite barriers. Most termite protection is in the form of chemical barriers that are injected into the soil around the home foundation. Roots provide pathways through the barriers for these insects. Additionally, many people heavily mulch their trees and shrubs with bark or other cellulose-based mulches. These are attractants for termites and can easily lead to termite attack.

   I'm not advocating the elimination of foliage around the home. Just be mindful of repercussions from your landscaping endeavors.

5. 
   Jim_P | Apr 25, 2000 02:39am | #6

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   How close should shrubs, or trees, be to a foundation?

   Thanks for the help!

6. 
   Guest_ | Apr 25, 2000 02:39am | #7

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   My rule is to keep all parts of a tree or shrub outside the drip line. If someone insists on having something growing inside that line they should put it in a box.

   I mean, considering the costs of damage why even take a chance on roots messing with the house?