Have a three year old plant near my house foundation (eighteen inches). Does this species have lifting roots that might compromise my foundation? Any experience with it? Peter Hight. I live in the SF Bay Area.
This is a great smallish, evergreen tree, not a species of A unedo, but a hybrid with some unedo parentage. It has a relatively rapid growth habit and can easily reach 20-30 feet tall and as wide, often larger if conditions suit. 18" is too close to a structire to plant any tree, other than a very fastigiate or columnar form. It is not so much a question of root invasion but more that the tree canopy will interfer with the structure and vice versa, resulting in either damage to the tree or to the structure and possibly both. The root system is not particularly surface oriented nor is it prone to be destructive by lifting pavement or otherwise disturbing a foundation - they are used as street trees here in Seattle and must meet that consideration to qualify.
But regardless of its attributes, 18 inches is still too close to a structure to a plant a tree. If still small, I'd seriously consider transplanting it to a more appropriate location.
pam - gardengal
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