How far should I plant a live oak from my house?

At least 20-30 feet from your foundation/sewer line and away from your driveway. If you can give it 40 feet that's even better.

We sell many live oaks and always get asked if it will do well in their yard. Of course everyone wants to see that large tree providing shade over their home. But what they don't think about is the underground aspect of the tree. Once an oak is mature its roots can travel much farther than its branch span.

Roots will always be your biggest concern

According to the University of Florida, tree roots can extend out 2 to 3 times beyond the drip line. Since our soils here in Florida are sandy the root system on a live oak will grow very wide. Having a wide spreading root system allows the tree to withstand high winds. It's one reason why we see live oaks standing tall after hurricanes. We just don't want all that beautiful root action under our homes.

As mentioned above roots can break through your sidewalk and driveway. Once a root begins growing under a piece of concrete it will only get bigger. Your pipes can be damaged as well. If a root finds a crack in a sewer/water line it will grow through it. Costly repairs if you have to dig up your line. If your property has clay in it the roots can pull moisture from the soil and cause your slab to heave.

These are estimates of how far your root system can grow.

As you can see these estimates go beyond the 20 to 30 feet we told you above. There is no way to keep all roots from reaching your home. Giving the tree 20 to 30 feet from your slab will ensure the trunk and main roots are kept away from your slab.

The Builder Put My Tree Too Close What Can I Do?

Unfortunately we see this scenario often. Builders love to set a young live oak in the front yard of their newly built homes. It allows the home to look more established when they take pictures for listings and fulfill their landscape requirements. Well by the time the tree reaches your driveway they will be out of business.

If the tree was planted recently and you have it less than 10 feet from your slab/home transplant it. You can dig it up and plant it in a safer area while its still young. Transplanting live oaks during the fall/winter months are ideal.

The longer you wait the bigger the job will become. Once your tree reaches a certain diameter you will have to hire someone to transplant it. Which can become quite costly. Or you could let it grow and end up having to pier your foundation. Which can be 5 figure cost as well.

Before you go digging up your tree contact your city. Some areas will not allow you to move or remove a live oak without a permit.

What If My Live Oak Is Already Big?

Probably not possible to transplant your 20 year old oak. You will want to have an arborist come out and evaluate your tree. They can see where the roots are traveling and how close your slab is to the tree. Installing a root barrier can help keep new roots from growing towards your slab/driveway.

Be careful when pruning roots. Cutting too close to the trunk can weaken your tree. You don't want that on your hands when hurricane season rolls around. Removing the tree and planting it further away from your house may be your best option. Consult with an arborist.

What About Pools/Septic Systems and How Big Do These Trees Get?

You should allow at least 20 to 30 feet from any inground pool/pond or septic system. More is better. Your pool and leach field can be damaged by root growth.

Just remember you're planting a massive tree. The Southern Live Oak can grow 60 to 80 feet tall and have a spread of 60 to 120 feet. Once mature they are usually wider than they are tall. When planting that little tree in the ground know what you're planting a spot for.

Why We Don't Sell Container Grown Trees

We will never sell you a container grown tree. Trees that are grown in containers develop their root system around the container. That can follow them when planted in the ground. We only sell field grown trees. We believe field grown trees establish better when planted. Southern Pride Tree Farm prides ourselves on selling quality live oaks.

We know many of our customers concerns are will my tree do well in my yard. That's why we provide you with our care instructions. And if you ever have a concern about your tree a few weeks or a year after planting give us a call. We'll answer the phone.

So if you have questions about your Live Oak please contact us. We can help you choose the right size and location for your tree.

Sources

Gilman, E.F., et al. "Quercus virginiana: Southern Live Oak." UF/IFAS Extension, ENH-722/ST564. Revised 2018.

Roots Spread to Outside the Dripline. UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture, Landscape Plants.

Wind-Resistant Trees. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions.