On Tue, 06 Apr 2004 13:58:54 GMT, "Pam - gardengal"
wrote:
"Matt" wrote in message
om...
We would like to add a couple of trees to our landscape. We wanted to
plant
a weeping higan cherry tree and a japanese maple in two different
locations
near our house. Is 3 feet from the house too close? What is minimum
distance we should maintain from the house? Do these trees grow deep or
shallow roots? How wide will the roots spread?
thanks,
Matt
3 feet is too close - you need to allow sufficient room for both trees to
develop normal canopy spread without encountering any obstructions like the
side or roof of your house. Neither tree is a huge spreader, canopy-wise so
you CAN plant them close - just not that close. Cherries tend to have a lot
of surface roots, as do J. maples, but neither have so invasive a root
system as to be a concern with the house foundation - they will simply grow
around obstacles or along the side. FYI, tree roots can spread a good
distance. As a rule of thumb, figure 2-3 times the width of the mature tree
canopy.
pam - gardengal
I have asked this question myself and wondered at some of the replies.
The information may be accurate but they also mean that the average
suburban yard (.15-.25 acre) would not have room for any trees.

Isn't 2 times the mature canopy for a dogwood is 40'-50' away! Maybe
along the very back of yard right up against the fence.
I would agree that 3' is too close, but no trees even small ones
within 40' seems like too far away. Can this be correct?

Swyck