Knowledgebase
root system for a residential Japanese Maple #824645
Asked April 06, 2023, 9:07 AM EDT
I have a small Japanese Maple tree that is 3 feet from the garage. I am concerned about the root growth. Will the roots of the tree grow below the ground to the garage and cause problems to the foundation.
Wake County North Carolina
Expert Response
The answer depends in part on what type of Japanese maple you have. The smaller dwarf or weeping ones have a much smaller root system and have less potential for damage than the ones that can grow to 30 feet. All Japanese maples are slowing growing and the roots grow out radially in the top 24 to 36 inches of soil. A dwarf tree that is 3 feet from the house could in 10 years or more have roots that reach the garage. A rule of thumb for such trees is to plant 6 feet away and then you are good for the lifetime of the tree. Japanese maples have small, fibrous roots and do not have tap roots. The potential for damage is small, but it is there. If you can easily move the tree further away then you would not need to worry. If it is a larger type maple then you need to move it much further away.
