Are palms ok planted next to a house?

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 10:56 am

How badly with palm roots effect your house foundation? The two I had in mind were Trachys, and Washingtonia......

wxman · Post by **wxman** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:04 am

Palm roots have no affect on structures. Two of mine are right next to my house and cause no problems at all. They don't form damaging woody roots like other trees.

I'd go with a trachy up there -- don't think a washingtonia will fare well. They are a pain to overwinter.

Cameron_z6a_N.S. · Post by **Cameron_z6a_N.S.** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:15 am

I think most palm roots would be OK near a house foundation. They don't get as long/invasive as something like an oak tree! Also, the foundation is going to help retain/radiate heat back to the palms in the winter, so it's a good place to plant them!

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:15 am

I got about .50 trachy seedlings ( tesan, fortunei, naini tal, tennesee and a few others). The good thing is if i do kill em ill have lots of back up

The same with the Washy seedlings ( i think i counted 35?).

Its just that my house is over 100 years old, and the foundation is old as well ( not as old as the house).

EDIT - Posted on top of yours cameron.....

Thats exactly what I was thinking. I have a super hot south wall, and a few sets of corners that would be good to try something. It woudl be easier to protect it in general as well.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:40 pm

Agree that palm roots are not going to affect foundation.
And lime that leaches from concrete foundations into the soil often helps palms if the soil's really acidic.

The real plus, Jesse, is that a lean-to can be easily constructed for winter protection.

Barb

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:46 pm

Thats what I was thinking too barb. The bonus is theres some other plants around it that will benefit as well.

Im tempted to plant some now, but they dont even have their second leaf, not the best idea

Thanks guys

sidpook · Post by **sidpook** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:31 pm

Plant away and post pictures!!!!

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 8:18 am

You'll be fine planting them there it won't hurt anything. I would also go ahead and plant the palms now, like you said you have lots of backups. They will grow faster in the ground anyways.

Bill

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 8:24 am

Ahh, I love how enabling you guys are

Thanks for the advice. I guess I "have" to plant one now lol

Ill post some pics when I can

JackLord · Post by **JackLord** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:02 am

Are palms ok planted next to a house?

Good question. I hope so. My Butia is next to the house or rather the house is next to it as its getting bigger.

I was in California once and saw where a date palm looked to be growing right out of a house foundation. The house seemed no worse for wear.

My late grandfather used to grow coconut palms on his property from sprouted ones he'd find at the beach. He put one near the foundation so that it angled away from the house. No problems.

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:27 am

Youd think if any palm would do damage it would be the date palm ( roots are large to look for water). Good to know as always. Im assuming Trachycarpus, or even Butia wouldnt do to much damage if any based on what im seeing here.

I planted one so far. Its about 2 or 2/5 feet away from the foundation. i cant put it right close, because the soil is sloped, and has grass planted strictly to wick water away from the foundation. The bonus is its 4 feet away from the plug in, its in a microclimate, and close enough to the wall that I can build off of it.

Grats on the Butia doing good!

Thanks for the input guys