The oak in your side yard has grown tall enough for its branches to reach the roofline. On a windy afternoon, you hear them scraping against the house and wonder whether it is time to book a tree trimming service in Phoenix.
Design Tree Maintenance explains what to consider when you suspect a tree is too close to your house so that you can make an informed decision about its care.
How Much Space Should You Leave Between a Tree and Your House?
Planting distance should account for the tree’s species and mature canopy width. Small trees often need at least 10 feet between the trunk and house.
Medium trees may need 15 to 20 feet, while large species often require 20 to 30 feet. Treat these distances as starting points for planning, and adjust final placement to the tree and property.
Measure from the trunk, not the current branch tips, to allow for future growth.
What Happens Below the Ground Near Your Home?
Tree roots can extend well beyond the canopy, sometimes reaching two to three times its width. An expanding root system may lift nearby paving or enter drainage pipes through existing cracks or loose joints.
Nearby roots do not prove they caused foundation damage. In shrinkable clay soils, moisture loss can cause the ground beneath a shallow foundation to settle, and tree water uptake may contribute. This differs from roots forcing their way through intact concrete.
Which Warning Signs Should You Check?
If you suspect a tree is too close to your house, check for these signs:
- Tree branches scrape the roof or siding in the wind.
- Broken or dead limbs could fall onto the house and cause structural damage.
- Growth blocks windows or makes exterior maintenance difficult.
- A new lean appears, along with lifted soil or newly exposed roots.
Contact an arborist promptly if you notice any changes that could put your home at risk.
Can You Keep the Tree, or Should It Be Removed?
Selective pruning can keep branches away from your house while preserving shade. An arborist can assess a tree that needs trimming and identify branches to remove without weakening the tree.
Removal may be needed if the tree could fall or cannot be pruned enough to maintain safe clearance. Cutting large roots to create space can reduce support and make the tree less stable.
Get Expert Tree Care With Design Tree Maintenance
At Design Tree Maintenance, we assess each tree’s growth and condition to recommend clearance around your home. Our trimming services keep branches away from the roofline while improving curb appeal.
Founded in 1995 by Robert L. Kett, our company has been a BBB ethics award finalist three times and has consistently high customer ratings on HomeAdvisor and Angi. We provide tailored organic plant care programs, plus skilled diagnosis and treatment for tree and plant problems. When removal is needed, our crews plan precise work suited to your property.
If you’re concerned that a tree is too close to your house, call (623) 587-8170 to arrange a property assessment.
