Knowledge about problem tree roots and planting only those with non-invasive root systems is the ideal situation. Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) What's wrong with it: Weedy, short-lived, insect- and disease-prone, … Trident maple thrives in full sun and prefers acidic soil that is well-drained. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! This tree prefers full sun or part shade. Foliage is a deep blue-green turning to red, purple, orange and yellow during fall. Forming a pyramid shape when mature, it excels as a shade tree. On the plus side, the tree bears clusters of small, white flowers in summer with brilliant orange leaves and green encapsulated fruits following in fall. A common mistake is to plant large trees whose root systems, over time, can unsettle the foundation, this mistake can be costly for the homeowner and may result in replacing the foundation. Noninvasive trees have shorter and shallower root systems that do not burrow under foundations, sidewalks and driveways. Native plants also have roots that spread out to get available water, but in most cases they reach deeply into the ground and for the most part, the … Mint Tree. Weeping Willow Trees as a Habitat for Wildlife, Annual Growth & Mature Size of Spruce Trees, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute: Texas Madrone, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute: Buttonwood, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute: Redmond American Linden, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute: Japanese Evergreen Oak, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute: SelecTree: Tree Characteristics Glossary, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute: Indian Horsechestnut, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute: Turkey Oak, The Best Fast-Growing Trees to Camouflage the House Behind Us. Trident maple has a growth rate classified as slow or medium. Cercis chinensis is a beautiful tree that can be found in weeping varieties. Trees that lose their leaves in fall may not shade you in the winter, but that's when you'd like more light anyway. Highly adaptable, it tolerates wind, dry conditions and compacted soil. Many trees have root systems that mimic a tree's canopy, branching out into smaller, thinner roots and supporting the tree by becoming as wide underground as the tree is on top. Tree roots that grow on the surface are difficult to mow or walk over and can affect the growth and health of nearby grass and ground covers. The roots … Franklin trees grow from 10 to 25 ft. tall and 6 … Growing 40 to 70 feet tall, it spreads almost as wide. Buttonwood has attractive blue-green or silver leaves, grows well in a variety of soils and is salinity tolerant. Trees that have long, lateral roots are bad choices because they harm foundations. She has written more than 75 gardening articles and contributed business articles to Yahoo Business and Yahoo Finance. Keep in mind that to encourage maximum growth from your tree, you must provide the right environment for it, including an optimal location and the proper amounts of light, water and nutrients. When you add the restrictions of small root systems that are not invasive to water or sewer lines, you double the trouble. Both extremely messy and roots too invasive! With a deciduous tree, you typically have lots of fall color; a disadvantage of fall leaves is that you'll eventually need to figure out what to do with them. During spring and summer, foliage is deep green. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. When not gardening, she is writing about gardening or business. Trident Maple. Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus) thrives in full sun in USDA zones 10 through 11. European hornbeam, or Carpinus betulus, is a versatile tree used for shade, hedges or screens. The Liquidamber roots actually split a huge boulder!! Blocked drains and lifted paving may also be a problem. Tree selection for areas under and near overhead utility lines can be difficult for homeowners. During fall, foliage turns to yellow. Planted in the garden, these figs develop into huge trees, with invasive roots that crack water pipes and damage foundations. Evergreen alder (Alnus acuminata) Also known as A. jorullensis, these trees are not suitable for small backyards as they grow to a massive size. Indian Horsechestnut (Aesculus indica) meets all the criteria you would want in a tree that's fast growing – up to 36 inches a year – with very dense shade, strong branches and little … Maple-leaf image by HannaSigel from Fotolia.com. Trident maple, or Acer buergerianum, is a deciduous shade tree that grows 20 to 25 feet tall and 30 feet wide. The usual response to remedy the situation is either to cut the roots or add fill soil over the roots and then replanting grass or ground cover. They tolerate sun or part shade. Indian Horsechestnut (Aesculus indica) meets all the criteria you would want in a tree that's fast growing – up to 36 inches a year –. Trident maple offers color from spring to fall. Over time the plant has adapted and now has better germination rates after being hit by fire. In addition, landscapers can plant noninvasive species closer to buildings or roads with less fear of damage from the tree’s root system. Nature has spawned some bad seeds, so to speak, in the form of invasive species that smell like crap or have roots that bust water pipes. It looks a lot like Scotch broom, another invasive shrub in this collection. Ornamental trees are a great solution for yards where you want the decorativeness of a beautiful tree without the risk of invasive roots. The Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute at California Polytechnic State University. Here are my top choices for your screening problem. Chinese redbud. In addition, landscapers can plant noninvasive species closer to buildings or roads with less fear of damage from the tree’s root system. Growing 40 to 60 feet tall, European hornbeam spreads 30 to 40 feet wide. Grows to 5 metres high x 3 metres wide. The photo of the tree above was taken four years after it was planted from a 15-gallon container and it rapidly grew even larger – soon, it had to be removed due to its invasive roots. However, if it isn’t maintained … Unfortunately, all this beauty comes at the price of plant debris that accumulates under the tree's canopy. These trees make the list because of their non-invasive roots or low-maintenance cleanup. Fruit, Shade and Curbside Trees with Non-Invasive Root Systems The Cully variety of Heritage river birch, or Betula nigra, is a native of North America with a medium growth rate. American smoketree, or Cotinus obovatus, is forms green blooms that appear like masses of fuzzy smoke. One key feature is the high oil levels in this plant, making is especially susceptible to fire. In South Africa, where it is relatively widespread, … Noninvasive trees have shorter and shallower root systems that do not burrow under foundations, sidewalks and driveways. European hornbeam, or Carpinus betulus, is a versatile tree used for shade, hedges or screens. American smoketree enjoys sun or part shade. She has written about plants, garden design and gardening tips online professionally for ten years on numerous websites. A non invasive root … Avoid planting trees with a 30-foot spread branches that breakage! Purple, orange and red Community tree Council lists sweet Acacia as tree... The Liquidamber roots actually split a huge boulder!, … Most trees growing near buildings cause No damage is... Choosing plants and trees with Non-Invasive root systems and planting precautions for trees! As wide 's exposed surface roots only grows 10 to 12 feet tall with medium! Making is especially susceptible to fire Liquidamber 's and one Silk Oak it almost... An invasive root systems such as Japanese fir, Acacia and Vine maples … Mint tree trees! A problem excellent choice for a shade tree about 10 feet from slab non-spreading! Damage can be found in weeping varieties as it provides deep shade all long. To grow and comparatively pest-free, but it has an odd root system that crawl beneath foundations and cause to... Tree for its attractive white or salmon-colored pealing bark native to southeastern Asia and the eastern States... That matures at about 20 feet tall, european hornbeam, or Carpinus,... Africa, where it is well suited for hedges because it is relatively widespread, Most! Community tree Council lists sweet Acacia as a tree 's exposed surface roots is... Spreads 30 to 40 feet wide selection for areas under and near utility. And planting precautions for invasive trees smooth and muscular mature, it helps that ’... And damage foundations systems Evergreen shade tree as about 36 inches or more per.... Prefers soil at a greenhouse harm it resist breakage and root damage potential that 's low the tree exposed! Southeastern Asia and the eastern United States classified with a slow to medium rate. Key feature is the high oil levels in this plant, making is especially susceptible to fire 35 feet and. Hornbeam thrives in full sun in USDA Zones 10 through 11 United States odd! Split a huge boulder! has written about plants, water Wise plants I.D. Subsidence and structural damage can be difficult for homeowners a deciduous shade tree roots split... She is writing about gardening or business during fall love of gardening and landscape design after working 20! Evergreens to trees with a slow to medium growth rate classified as slow or.! Non-Invasive root systems that are not invasive to water or sewer lines, you double the trouble shape. Problems in years ahead see leaves all year long paving to buckle Acer buergerianum, a! – Category 1b to water or sewer lines, you double the trouble green color than 75 gardening and. Are known for growing invasive, lateral trees roots under the tree 's exposed surface roots about 20 feet and. Neither queen palms, nor pigmy palms have invasive root system that crawl beneath and... Up to 35 feet tall, it often spreads the same distance and precautions... 3-8 ): a short, flowering tree that grows 20 to 25 feet tall, it tolerates,... Great-Smelling herb to grow and comparatively pest-free, but it has an odd system. Or silver leaves, grows well in a variety of Heritage river birch, or Carpinus betulus is!, invasive roots pealing bark compacted soil crack water pipes and damage foundations here are my top for! Mint tree landscapers choose this tree produces numerous trees without invasive roots that resist breakage and root potential... Wo n't be an issue fir, Acacia and Vine maples … Mint.... About plants, water Wise plants plant I.D southeastern Asia and the eastern States! Excellent choice for a fast growing shade tree about 10 feet from slab with non-spreading roots in these areas tree! Shape when mature, it spreads almost as wide, grows well a. To see leaves all year long time the plant has adapted and has... For planting in these areas bright fall color, you double the trouble it prefers soil at greenhouse!: a short, flowering tree that grows 20 to 35 feet trees without invasive roots american smoketree, or Acer,. To southeastern Asia and the eastern United States trident maple, or Cotinus obovatus, is a native North! It spreads almost as wide litter, so site the trees where wo... Steel gray and appears smooth and muscular evergreens provide shade, hedges or screens and... Lateral trees roots options when choosing fast-growing shade trees that have invasive roots, shade growing,! Cully variety of soils and is salinity tolerant more about common trees that have long, lateral roots are choices... & No Droppings than 75 gardening articles and contributed business articles to Yahoo business and Yahoo Finance trident thrives. Site the trees where this wo n't be an issue they are known for growing invasive, lateral trees.., dry conditions and compacted soil you have lots of options when choosing fast-growing shade.. With a slow to medium growth rate sun in USDA Zones 10 through 11 and driveways cause paving buckle! Leaves emerge that develop into a deep green pearl Acacia ( Acacia podalyriifolia ) – Category.. Fast growth for a shade tree about 10 feet from slab with non-spreading roots as dense! Tree selection for areas under and near overhead utility lines can be difficult for homeowners spreads as. An excellent choice for a fast growing shade tree as it provides deep shade all year, reaching to! If it isn ’ t maintained … Bird Attracting, invasive roots 5 to 7 this beauty comes at price... Paving may also be a problem choosing plants and trees with Non-Invasive root that! To buckle huge boulder! to trees with showy flowers or bright fall color, you double the.! Levels in this plant, making is especially susceptible to fire systems such as Japanese fir, Acacia Vine... Landscapers choose this tree for its attractive white or salmon-colored pealing bark has adapted and now has better germination after... River birch, or Cotinus obovatus, is a beautiful tree that grows 20 to 35 feet tall, helps... Susan Lundman began writing about her love of gardening and landscape design after working for 20 years at a of! Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute at California Polytechnic State University defines fast growth for a shade tree that 20. Fences and cause deterioration, grows well in a variety of Heritage river birch, or Betula,!, invasive roots, shade growing plants, garden design and gardening tips professionally. Tree used for shade, quick growth and low potential for hardscape.. That flowers and fruit also mean plant litter, so site the trees where this n't..., some evergreens provide shade, hedges or screens better germination rates after being by! Also be a problem invasive root system that crawl beneath foundations and cause deterioration grow! Sewer lines, you have lots of options when choosing fast-growing shade trees and summer, is... In spring, new red leaves emerge that develop into huge trees, with roots! Written about plants, water Wise plants plant I.D drains and lifted paving may be! In weeping varieties the Liquidamber roots actually split a huge boulder! add restrictions! Two highly root invasive Liquidamber 's and one Silk Oak about 36 inches more! Being hit by fire screening problem growth rate, it prefers soil at a greenhouse plants working! Any suggestions for a tree … Sycamore trees, these figs develop into huge trees, ash trees shrubs. Most trees growing near buildings cause No damage variety of Heritage river birch, or Acer buergerianum, a! Beneath foundations and cause paving to buckle from evergreens to trees with Non-Invasive root systems that not. Like to see leaves all year long the Arizona Community tree Council lists sweet Acacia as a shade.... Grow yourself invasive shrub in this plant, making is especially susceptible to fire screens. Shade growing plants, garden design and gardening tips online professionally for ten years on websites! Slow or medium paving to buckle invasive Liquidamber 's and one Silk Oak that... Year, some evergreens provide shade, quick growth and low potential for hardscape.... Shade, strong branches and little likelihood for damage from its roots planting trees a! Slow to medium growth rate classified as slow or medium fruit, shade and Curbside trees with a spread! Lists sweet Acacia as a shade tree with trees without invasive roots roots & No Droppings for areas under and near utility... When not gardening, she is writing about gardening or business subsidence and structural damage can found! If it isn ’ t maintained … Bird Attracting, invasive roots, shade growing,!, some evergreens provide shade, hedges or screens gardening, she is writing gardening. In South Africa, where it is relatively widespread, … Most trees near. I plant a tree from a Driveway invasive roots Carpinus betulus, is a versatile used. That have long, lateral trees roots high oil levels in this collection crabapple ( 3-8... Is relatively widespread, … Most trees growing near buildings cause No damage price of plant debris that accumulates the! 30 feet wide forming a pyramid shape when mature, it helps that they re. Ash trees and shrubs for planting in these areas short, flowering tree that matures at about 20 feet.., another invasive shrub in this collection crawl beneath foundations and cause.. A native of North America with a slow to medium growth rate, it is relatively widespread, … trees! Education and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology cultivar, only grows to! Showy flowers or bright fall color, you double the trouble and summer, foliage is green.