Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
7 ratings

Wednesday - December 08, 2010

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Planting, Trees
Title: How close can I plant Mountain Laurels to my house in Austin, TX?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

Hello, I'm interested in planting 2 or 3 Texas Mountain Laurels on the side of my house and I'm wondering just how close is safe. I've been told that planting trees too close can damage the slab foundation, but I'm planning on keeping the tree around 10', and since it's supposed to dig it's roots deep rather than wide, I'm hoping I can keep them pretty close. What do you think?

ANSWER:

Mountain laurel Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain laurel) can be a spectacular addition to your landscape, and your concern about the foundation is understandable. However in the case of Sophora, it is not a big problem.
 I’m going to direct you to three links: the first from Iowa State University Extension tells about plant roots in general; the second, also from Iowa State, deals with Trees and Sidewalks; and the third article describes the Mountain Laurel and its planting and care.

From this reading, you can see that a shrub like Mountain Laurel does not produce the large lateral roots that you find in larger trees, so its threat to the foundation is minimal.  Mr. Smarty plants thinks that you need to focus on the top part of the plant. Putting it too close would allow it to interfere with the sides and and eaves of the house, as well as makeit difficult to trim and maintain the plant. Look around Austin for mature specimens of Mountain Laurel and try to visualize how they would look next to your house before deciding on your planting location. Proper pruning as the shrubs mature is important in maintaining the appearance of the plants.

I'm including two photos: one is of Mountain Laurel in a natural habitat, the other in an un-natural habitat.

 

From the Image Gallery


Texas mountain laurel
Sophora secundiflora

Texas mountain laurel
Sophora secundiflora

More Trees Questions

Trees for privacy and filtering dust in NY
March 23, 2011 - I live on a very busy, DUSTY, dirt road in Putnam County NY. (zip code 10524) What is the best, fast growing evergreen that I can use for dust control and privacy? I would prefer something that requi...
view the full question and answer

Dormancy in Pin Oaks without water in Del Rio, TX
August 02, 2011 - Can Pin Oak trees go dormant without enough water? If so how long can they live that way? Can they be brought back to producing leaves? If yes, then what do I need to do besides giving them water. I d...
view the full question and answer

Tropical looking plants for pool area in California
November 14, 2008 - I am looking for small tropical looking plants, groundcover, and 2-small trees for around my pool. They have to be non-toxic to dogs,cats, and people. They can't attract bees/wasps, or have a root ...
view the full question and answer

Cedar Elms too close together
April 27, 2016 - I'm fairly new to North Texas and recently bought a new home with 2 young cedar elms in the front yard. From my understanding these trees can grow quite large. My front is about 25 feet wide and the...
view the full question and answer

Native specimen tree for Houston, Texas
September 23, 2009 - Looking for recommendations for a specimen tree to flank our front steps. Evergreen, 15 feet tall, maybe 10 feet wide. Will be near icee blue Japanese yews and nearly wild rose bushes. Ideas?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.