Trees to Avoid Planting Near Your Home (unless you like Foundation Damage and Regret)

Hey there, Oregon City neighbors! I’m your local real estate agent who also happens to have a strong opinion on throw pillows and tree roots. (Yes, I lightly stage homes before I list them. No, I won’t apologize for having a stash of eucalyptus in my trunk.)

Whether you're prepping to sell or you’re just in your “Pinterest board meets dirt-under-your-nails” phase of homeownership, let’s talk about one often-overlooked part of curb appeal and long-term home health: the trees that you plant near your foundation.

Brewer’s Weeping Spruce (Picea brewerana) growing too close to the foundation of a home.

Not All Trees Play Nice With Your Foundation

You might think you're doing your future self a favor by planting a cute little sapling just off the porch. It’ll give you shade! It'll be adorable in fall! It’s giving Pacific Northwest vibes!

But 10 years from now, that tree might be pushing roots into your foundation like it owns the place. (Spoiler: It doesn't.)

Tree roots often grow much wider than people expect—typically 1.5 to 3 times the width of the tree's canopy (also known as the drip line), and in some cases, up to 5 times as wide.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Lateral spread: Most roots grow out horizontally rather than deep. Around 90% of a tree’s roots are in the top 18–24 inches of soil, even for large trees.

• Distance: If a tree has a canopy that is 20 feet wide, its roots might extend 30 to 60 feet out from the trunk, sometimes more. Ummm...that's like two houses away when you live in a tight neighborhood.

• Factors: Root spread depends on the species, soil type, moisture availability, and obstacles like buildings or compacted soil.

A study from Michigan State University Extension found that oak trees caused 11% of foundation damage—even though they only made up 2% of the tree population in the area studied. So basically, they’re the overachievers of home destruction. Poplars and ash trees were also strong contenders in the “let’s wreck the foundation” category.

Trees to Avoid Planting Near Your House

Before you head to the nursery with that dreamy cottage-core landscaping vision, here’s a list of trees you should not plant close to your home:

• Oak (Quercus spp.) – Elegant, sure. But thirsty, determined, and disruptive.

• Poplar (Populus spp.) – Fast-growing but structurally greedy.

• Ash (Fraxinus spp.) – Pretty, but a structural liability.

• Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) – Might sound like a fantasy novel character, but it’s not magical.

• Boxelder (Acer negundo) – Not your friendly neighborhood maple.

• Norway Maple & Silver Maple (Acer platanoides and saccharinum) – Shady in all the wrong ways.

• Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) – Sounds delicious, but nope.

• Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) – Big and beautiful... and a little bit of a bully.

• Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifer) – A misleadingly pretty name for a pushy root system.

Oh, and while we’re at it...

Evergreen Trees That Will Also Wreak Havoc

We love our evergreen trees here in the Pacific Northwest, but beware of these varieties if you’re planting near your house:

• Brewer’s Weeping Spruce (Picea brewerana) – Gorgeous but needy. Also, our builder had one planted one right next to the front of my house so now I'm freaking out about it.

• Crimean Pine (Pinus nigra caramanica) – Exotic name, invasive roots.

• Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) – Sounds friendly. Isn’t.

• Norway Spruce (Picea abies) – Nope.

• Swiss Stone Pine (Pinus cembra) – Save it for the ski lodge fantasy, not the front yard.

Honorable Mention: Wisteria

We all want a little wisteria-draped pergola moment, right? But Wisteria—though technically a vine—has roots and climbing habits that can damage foundations, fences, siding, and possibly your soul. Plant it responsibly and far from the house.

Why This Matters in Real Estate (and Home Staging)

When I stage a home for sale here in Oregon City, I’m looking at the whole package—from the front porch plantings to the color story in the living room. Buyers notice if your foundation is cracked, your basement smells like mildew, or your charming shade tree is threatening to go full Jumanji on your siding.

A well-landscaped home with smart planting choices doesn’t just photograph better (hello, listing magic)—it also sends a message: “This home has been loved and cared for.” And trust me, that adds perceived value.

Want More Outdoor Space Tips?

If you’re into making your home’s outdoor areas work with you instead of against you, check out Episode 26 of the Home Space and Reason Podcast titled “Creating Great Outdoor Spaces.” You’ll love it if you’re a podcast person, especially if you enjoy a mix of home design, psychology, and the occasional deep-dive into patio furniture thoughts.