Foundation problems

[Ashley S]

What's the actual story with palm roots and damage to buildings, etc? I will be planting my new Queen Palm! in the front yard. I've read that the roots can cause damage to foundations, etc. However, I see tons and tons of palms planted very close to houses. What's the real deal? Please help!! Thanks!

[Chester B]

No damage from roots, they never get big and expand like a woody tree.

Read this recent post:

 

[TropicsEnjoyer]

Honestly there should be like a pinned post explaining that palms are harmless 99% of the time to foundations. This question gets asked so often. Not mad at the people who ask, just think it should be addressed without needing to ask.

[Merlyn]

@Ashley S generally there is no chance of damage to foundations or driveways from palms.  The roots grow out at "mature diameter," usually 1/8th inch or so.  Once they grow out they don't expand in diameter, so they can't push up or destroy concrete.  If you plant one near a driveway or house ther isn't really a risk.  If you plant a queen a few inches from a sidewalk or thin concrete or unsupported planter, sure they could push the concrete away as the trunk expands.  And roots will seek out moisture like pipe leaks or pool leaks.  I wouldn't plant any palm or tree near a septic field for that reason alone.

Oak, pine and other dicot trees send out small roots that can grow under driveways, and then expand from 1/8th inch to a foot in diameter or even more.  So a tiny root getting into a crack in the concrete or under the driveway suddenly expands and buckles the concrete. 

[Ashley S]

What's the actual story with palm roots and damage to buildings, etc? I will be planting my new Queen Palm! in the front yard. I've read that the roots can cause damage to foundations, etc. However, I see tons and tons of palms planted very close to houses. What's the real deal? Please help!! Thanks!

[Ashley S]

Thanks everybody! This is an exciting new adventure for me!

[PhoenixFXG]

Palm roots are non invasive and will cause no structural damage.

[sonoranfans]

I have many palms near concrete for 25 years in two gardens, nothing, zero damage.  I have yet to see sny photo of convincing palm related damage.  And buildings have slabs within the rebar, no gonna happen with a building foundation.  Expansive ground condiditons can crack slabs that are sparse in the rebar content, but it has nothing to do with a palm. 

[SeanK]

I've never seen a palm root thicker than a cm, even on old palmettos. They don't get tough and woody like those of pines or oaks.

[ahosey01]

  On 4/2/2025 at 4:01 AM, Ashley S said:

What's the actual story with palm roots and damage to buildings, etc? I will be planting my new Queen Palm! in the front yard. I've read that the roots can cause damage to foundations, etc. However, I see tons and tons of palms planted very close to houses. What's the real deal? Please help!! Thanks!

Expand  

No chance whatsoever.

The biggest palm root i've ever seen was maybe a half inch across and they're mushy and fibrous, not woody, because palms are not actually trees - they're more like grasses.