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can the roots of a tree wreck the foundation of a house?

we've been house hunting lately, and may have found the perfect house. however, there are these 3 huge Baldcypress trees right on the side of the house. they are only about 2 feet away from the house. so we are worried if the roots of the trees could possbily cause damage to the foundation if the roots continue growing. what if it starts growing underneath the house, and then starts growing upward? help!!

Public Comments

1. yes
2. We have Baldcypress trees and they have knees that grow up around the base of the tree. It is how they breath. I would call a local nursery in your area to see if they are strong enough to push up thru or put pressure on the flooring. Maybe they won't but any large tree that close to a house could be a problem even if its not a root problem, some roots are tap roots they go straight down. But as far as future damage to the home from wind and storms that is a posibility. How old are the trees? If they have been there forever and have not caused a problem then maybe its ok. Sorry wish I could help you. We are in florida and the trees grow really slow. Good luck!
3. Yes, roots can harm a foundation. Cutting the roots on the house side, and making like a gully for water to soak into the ground on the other side would help direct the root growth, but the best solution is not have full size trees that close to the house. It would be best to get rid of them completely. For best sun protection for your house, trees should be planted at a distance, and on an angle to the house that will shade the house between 12:30 PM and 3:00 pm, when the sun is at it's most intense time of day. And as far as it lifting footings, and foundations, just look at sidewalks with trees near them. They're always all lifted, cracked, and dangerously uneven. EDIT: Two things to say about tap roots. 1- they are not the only root, 2- only occur in areas that are deep sand with water tables under them,( Florida, Long Island NY, and any other deposit type geography). The same tree planted in rugged mountainous terrain will not grow a tap root. There is nothing to tap.
4. Yes, Before you buy the house I recommend a home inspection, Make sure they know off your concerns...
5. cyprus trees have a deep tap root and are generally not spread out this is not to say there is no damage so further inspection is warranted I would be more concerned about damage to eaves and wall area behind trees when trees like these grow close to bldg clutter can accumulate and hold moisture causing rot in house structure and cause damage from abrasion on walls and roof edges
6. The can cause a problem, but if you price in getting rid of them you may come out ahead when buying the house.
7. three word answer YES THEY WILL
8. sure can some worse than others but ask the people at the garden centre which are least invasive
9. yes, they will push on the founadation.
10. I don't know how old the sewer lines are but you might want to think about the roots also because some older systems can get clogged with tree roots I know because we had a tree root problem and had to have the line cleaned of roots about 1- 2 times a yr. ' just some thing to think about
11. Most familiar is the Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum), also known as Southern Cypress or Swamp Cypress, is native to much of the southeastern U.S.. The trees are called 'bald' because they lose their needles during the winter months, unlike other cypresses. Ancient Bald Cypress forests, with some trees over 1000 years old, once dominated swamps in the Southeast. The largest remaining stand of Bald Cypress is at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. These trees are around 500 years of age and reach heights exceeding 40m (130 ft). It occurs mainly along riverside wetlands subject to periodic flooding by silt-rich 'brownwater' rivers. Bald Cypress trees in swamp situations have a peculiarity of growth called cypress knees. These are woody projections sent above the water from the roots. Their function is thought to be to provide oxygen to the roots that grow in the low dissolved oxygen (DO) waters typical of a swamp (see also mangroves, which have similar adaptations). The Bald Cypress was designated the official state tree of Louisiana in 1963. The trees are especially prized for their wood, of which the heartwood is extremely rot and termite resistant. Bald Cypress wood was much used in former days in southeastern US for shingles. The shredded bark of these trees is a popular mulch, although the current harvest rate for this product is not sustainable and is causing substantial environmental damage. I think it's willows and poplars that damage cement and sewer systems. If you are concerned then you can say you will buy the house if they will pay to remove the cypress trees or ask for a reduction in price and then have them removed yourself. Seems to me though that where there are cypress knees there is swamp water. Check the area for swamp. Swamp could mean mosquitoes and mold.