| I am considering planting a 'Bloodgood' maple, but need to know how far the roots are likely to extend. The spot I have in mind is about 16 feet from the house and 10 feet from water and sewer lines. |
| The rule of thumb is that roots will spread about one and a half times the branch spread of the tree. Roots will potentially exploit any weakness they may find in a foundation, walkway, or underground utilities. The mature size of a 'Bloodgood', although a slow grower, would likely be in the 15 to 20 foot range according to Michael Dirr's "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants", so it would be risky to plant it in the area you describe. |
