Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

We have no way of knowing where those tree roots originated. An expert, on the spot, could probably recognize the species of tree from the root, but we are neither experts nor on the spot.  This article from the Morton Arboretum Tree Roots and Foundation Damage explains the problem far better than we can. The main point of the article is that the tree roots didn't start out to destroy your foundation; it started out looking for water. When the roots came to your foundation, they dipped down below the house looking for moisture. Having found it, they have a nice drink, pulling water out of the soil, and causing the soil to subside. The soil, which is the support for your house, started shrinking and, without that support, the cement started cracking.

If no sprouts of the long-removed black walnut tree survived, we think it can be exonerated from the blame. The maples, even 45' away from your foundation, are notorious for invasive roots. There are 12 members of the Acer, maple, genus native to New Jersey and we chose Acer rubrum (Red maple) as an example. If you follow the link to our webpage on the red maple, you will learn that it has high water needs, is know for invasive roots, and grows to heights of 40 to 60 ft. in cultivation.

A tree that grows very tall is going to need lots of space under ground (and not very far down from the surface) to gather sufficient nutrients from the soil, storing water and, perhaps most importantly, anchoring that tree in the ground. You have heard the expression "top-heavy" we are sure; apply that to a large tree and you can perhaps visualize a tree that topples in a wind or even if someone leans against it. And with an instinct for survival, tree roots stand up for themselves, or perhaps we should say "push up" because they will push up sidewalks and driveways, as well as crack foundations in search of water.Remember that roots are radiating out in all direction from that trunk for as much as 2 to 3 times the width of of the top of the tree.

So, it's reasonable to blame the maples in your neighbor's yard, but you can hardly make them cut down trees on their property, even though there is a good chance those roots are affecting structures on their property as well.

You are going to need professional help with your problem, and we recommend you follow the advice from the Morton Arboretum on confirming the damage is from tree roots, first, then removing the invading roots, and putting in a root barrier. Along the way, you also will almost undoubtedly have to have some foundation repair. A house that has lasted for 90 years is deserving of some attempt to preserve it and keep it stable.