Will Magnolia Tree Roots Grow Under a House and Cause Damage?

Magnolia trees produce fragrant blossoms in the spring months.

A widely grown ornamental tree throughout the southern United States, the magnolia tree can attain a height of up to 80 feet. Once established, the tree is difficult to transplant due to its long taproot and widespread lateral root system.

Root System Growth

The magnolia tree forms a deep root system in areas where the water table is low. The tree also grows a strong lateral root system with several sunken roots that grow out of the root collar of the trunk. As the tree ages, its root system heaves upward and forms a fluted base around the tree's trunk.

Effects

The heaving of the tree's lateral root system and its fluted trunk can easily crack the foundation of a house, destroy a concrete patio, walkway or drive and cause the structure of a building to become distorted over time. Magnolias should never be planted close to anything that can be damaged by their aggressive root growth.

Warning

The root system of the magnolia extends out a distance that is approximately 4 times the size of the tree's canopy system, according to the University of Florida IFAS Extension website. If the tree's root system suffers disturbance, such as on a construction site, it may perish.

References

• U.S. Forest Service: Southern Magnolia
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Magnolias
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Magnolia Grandiflora 'Little Gem': 'Little Gem' Southern Magnolia
• Clemson University: Magnolia

Resources

• University of Texas at Austin: Magnolia Grandiflora