Tree roots are lifting my sidewalk and I'm worried about my foundation. What can I do?

Surface roots heaving sidewalks are a common headache, but the good news is that roots rarely damage sound foundations directly — and there are ways to manage the conflict without killing a valuable tree.

Sidewalk/driveway heaving:

• Caused by large lateral roots growing under and expanding beneath pavement
• Do NOT simply cut large roots flush to the trunk — severing major roots can destabilize the tree and create a fall hazard
• Options: grind/ramp the raised edge, replace the slab with a root-bridging design (thicker concrete, reinforcement, or a flexible surface), or reroute the walk around the root
• A root barrier installed when planting new trees prevents future conflicts

Foundations:

• Roots don't typically "crack" a healthy foundation by pushing through it
• The real risk is in expansive clay soils, where large trees can dry out and shrink the soil near footings during drought, causing settlement — and over-watering after removal can cause heave
• Warning signs warranting an engineer: new cracks in walls/floors, sticking doors, or visible foundation movement

Smart steps:

1. Have a certified arborist assess which roots can be safely pruned and how — there are limits based on size and distance from the trunk.
2. For pavement, favor engineering fixes over root removal.
3. Prevent the next conflict: plant large species well away from hardscape (see How far from my house should I plant a tree?).

Don't sacrifice a mature, valuable tree over a fixable sidewalk slab if a less drastic option exists.