Imelda O\’Keeffe asked 15 years ago
A 35 year old monkey puzzle tree growing approx. 10 feet from our house and is about 30 to 40 feet tall – Worried about the roots and the house foundation, do the roots grow straight down ? Should we be considering having the tree cut down and if so should the roots be left intact or removed also ? Many thanks.
1 Answers
Gerry Daly Staff answered 7 years ago
Trees do not affect foundations of a house, a wall or footpath yes can be lifted or cracked but the tree would need to be beside the wall to have an effect.
Having said that any large tree close to a house can pose a hazard by falling. However, monkey puzzle is generally very wind-firm and not likley to blow over and it does not have heavy branches.
On balance it is propbably okay for a while longer, but, as it is a large tree, it will eventually get too big and probably block gutters. It was planted in the wrong place to start with and this will compromise it long-term future.
