Hi everyone, My boyfriend and I are looking into buying a house. It's old (built in 1924) and has a HUGE beautiful conifer right in front. I can't attach a picture because the files are too big. My boyfriend's mom is worried that the tree is too close to the house and could cause, or could have already caused, strucutual/foundation damage. We measured it today and it's 14.5 feet from the house. Any ideas if the root structure could damage the foundation? I know conifer roots tend to grow straight down and not out, so does that mean we don't have to worry? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Try downsizing the photo - open it in photoshop (or similar), click 'save as', chose a new name, and when it asks you what quality you want to save at, select a lower quality. Not true actually, but in general, conifer roots are less likely to cause damage to foundations than broadleaf trees, so there's a good chance it will be safe to keep it. But it is best to seek local professional advice from a consulting ISA-registered arborist familiar with the area. The risks depend more on foundation depth and soil type than they do on the species of tree.
I think if it was going to damage anything, it probably would have happened by now, but do get it looked at by a professional if you can.
If the foundation is sound I don't think a tree that far out should be a problem. Soil and the type of foundation are factors though, brick or stone can be displaced more readily than concrete. Sandy, loose soil is safer than clay or ledge, where roots may have less room to expand. Home inspection & / or an arborist might be a good idea anyway.