I live in an annexe of a large old country house in the UK and when I moved here three years ago I planted a gorgeous Acer Villa Taranta outside my study window about two feet from the wall of the house because there was no where else I could plant it and I wanted to keep it with me since it has huge symbolic significance. I had grown it in a container for 15 years and it was about four feet high when I planted it in the ground. In the three years it has been in the ground it has grown to five feet. Some of the other residents say as it grows its roots will interfere with the foundations of the house. This shrub/small tree has taken 20 years to reach 5 feet high. I want to keep this precious specimen where it is and need help in reassuring the other residents that the house is not in danger of being damaged by the plant's roots, since this plant is never going to become a large and out of control tree. I forgot to mention that the grounds are communal and this is why I need to justify keeping my Acer where it is.
It'll be safe. The worries about root damage to the foundations are based around the risks associated with tree-size (15-30 metres tall) maples.
Japanese maples make an excellent foundation plant, because their root systems are compact and non-evasive. I have about 15 planted close to my house. A guy who bought a house down the road from me, who is on the "up and up" on the daggers of trees too close to a foundation, removed some very old trees from his property. Guess what he used to put in the beds by his house? He planted a Japanese maple very similar to your variety and a flowering dogwood. I know they will not take my word for it, so here is some info from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_palmatum Acer palmatum includes hundreds of named cultivars with countless forms, colors, leaf types, sizes, and preferred growing conditions. Heights of mature specimens can range from 0.5 m to 25 m, depending on type. Some tolerate sun, and others like shade. Almost all are adaptable and blend well with companion plants. The trees are particularly suitable for borders and ornamental paths because the root systems are compact and not invasive. Well drained soil is preferred, and the trees grow strongest when they are not over-fertilized. Many varieties of Acer palmatum are successfully grown in containers. Ohio State University: http://hcs.osu.edu/hcs/tmi/plantlist/ac_matum.html USAGE Function focal point, specimen, foundation, entranceway, or raised planter small tree Texture fine texture in foliage and when bare thick density in foliage and when bare (except in youth, when it is much more open, or very old age, when some forms may become open again) Assets many cultivars are available that differ in foliage-color, cutleaf character, and growth habit layered branching and dense twigginess contribute to the ultra-fine texture with age generally adaptable to shady conditions or sunny locations usually has vibrant fall color Everyone should be happy that you are bringing such a beautiful tree into the community. Hope this helps and good luck!
I'll just chime in with the others: no fear for the foundations. The eventual height of Villa Taranto (note spelling :)) is given as 10 feet in "Japanese Maples" 4th Edition, Vertrees & Gregory, Timber Press. But to reach this size would take decades and require ideal cultural conditions. And even then it is easy to prune it back; so no danger from this one at all. Best of luck with the other residents, hopefully they will see reason. -E
