Can Tree Roots Cause Foundation Problems in Florida?

Tree roots can lead to foundation problems in Florida.

The warm, subtropical Florida climate allows trees to flourish, but those planted too close to a building's foundation can cause a number of problems. As tree roots raise and depress the surrounding soil, they can wreak havoc on a foundation.

Direct Effect

According to the tree organization The Morton Arboretum, tree roots will affect a foundation only if the foundation is shallow enough for the root to penetrate the ground beneath it and cause the soil to shift. In Florida, where soil conditions do not allow for deep foundations, many buildings sit on foundations that reach only about 3 feet into the soil.

Causes

As the tree root grows underneath the foundation, according to The Morton Arboretum, it causes the soil to shift and settle. This movement removes some support from the foundation, allowing it to sag and crack.

Other Issues

Florida soil is very susceptible to sinkholes, and the website Sinkhole.org notes that tree root growth can spur sinkhole development. If a tree root triggers a sinkhole near a building's foundation, the foundation can crack or completely collapse.

References

• Rafter Tales: How to Build a Concrete Foundation
• The Morton Arboretum: Tree Roots and Foundation Damage
• Sinkhole.org: Help for Homeowners in Distinguishing Sinkholes from Other Structural Problems