"Ray" wrote in message
news:UyCkk.579$Ht4.367@trnddc01...
We have a spruce or fir tree which came up on its own, about 10 inches
from the foundation of our house. At first it seemed to be just a shrub,
but it's now grown into a tree about 30 feet high.

We like the tree, but we're concerned that the root system may endanger
the foundation, much the way that tree roots sometimes cause sidewalks to
buckle up.

Is this a danger?

It depends on the quality of the foundation. If you have little cracks
roots will grow in there. They tend to grow towards foundation. In nature
when a tree falls borers and such create holes in nurse log and roots then
grow in the chambers made by the latter. We suggest keeping trees back at
least 10' from structures. Some useful information on trees can be found
he
www.shigoandtrees.com


--
Sincerely,
John A. Keslick, Jr.
Consulting Tree Biologist
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman
and www.treedictionary.com
Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us
that we are not the boss.
Some people will buy products they do not understand and not buy books that
will give them understanding.