Does wisteria have a big root system?

Wisteria roots are known for being quite aggressive. They will start by growing up to a span of around 2-3 feet, but will grow mostly downwards beyond that. Large, mature plants can send roots as deep as 10 feet. American wisteria is generally less aggressive than the more popular Chinese or Japanese wisterias.

Is wisteria hard to get rid of?

You may find that simply cutting the plant to the ground and cutting back any subsequent shoots that it throws up, is sufficient to kill the plant, whose roots will then rot away. Herbicide is toxic to the ecosystem of your garden and can pose a threat to ground water. It should only ever be used as a last resort. If the plant has been kept under control with vigorous pruning, then the growth of the root system should also have been kept in check. It does, however, grow quite deep, so digging it out can be quite a chore.

Can wisteria grow on a brick wall?

Brick, stone or block buildings can support wisteria. Wooden buildings are more prone to damage by the strong vine. A smooth brick wall, however, will prove challenging for the wisteria to climb. You will need to create a ladder for the plant to climb. This is commonly done by a method called 'escalier', where horizontal steel wires of 3mm galvanised steel, are fixed to the brickwork, 18 inches apart.

Does wisteria add value to a house?

Wisteria is a charming, romantic feature to any property. It adds kerb-appeal and/or elevates the garden space. You may find faster growing alternatives preferrable if you are looking for a quick sale, as wisteria can take a while to establish. But, if you're considering planting wisteria now as a longer term investment in the house's value, it will be a positive feature when you come to sell. Beware, however, the risk of subsidence. Read the full article above to avoid damaging your property's foundations and risking its structural integrity. If your house is affected by subsidence, this will devalue the property significantly more than a wisteria may add.

What trees should not be planted close to a house?

When considering what trees to plant around your house, you want to consider the size of the root system and the water demand. This is because trees that drink up all the water in the soil can cause soil shrinkage and then subsidence, especially in drier summers. Most trees cause no damage, but their roots can spread up to three times the size of the tree. Modern buildings are usually not affected because they have deep foundations, but houses built before the 1950's may be more prone to tree based subsidence. The tree which causes the greatest number of subsidence cases in the UK is Oak, due to its high water demand and huge size. To avoid subsidence and the risk of the mature tree falling toward the house when it is fully grown, Oaks should be planted at least 30 metres from any buildings. Other trees to avoid due to high water demand include: Oak Eucalyptus Poplar Conifer Cypress Leylandii

Blooming wisteria grows up a whitewashed townhouse with a pink door. SAM Conveyancing answers: Can Wisteria Cause Subsidence? And how to manage wisteria near your property

If there are signs of subsidence on a property with wisteria, our structural engineers can come out to assess the damage.

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Can Wisteria Cause Subsidence?

by:

Caragh Bailey

Created on:

31/01/2023

(Last Updated: 18/09/2023)

Read by:

6,464

7 min read

Key Takeaways

Wisteria can grow happily on many houses without causing subsidence.
You are more likely to face problems if you have damaged foundations, clay soil or leaking pipes.
Proper maintenance is essential.
The tree which causes the most subsidence cases in the UK is Oak.

Can I plant wisteria close to my house?

You can plant wisteria close to your house. Its roots generally grow down and they will likely turn away from and around large obstacles, such as foundations. There are a couple of other factors which should make you think twice about planting wisteria close to your house though.

This article will answer some frequently asked questions, including can wisteria cause subsidence, when and why, plus how to manage the plant and prevent damage to your foundations.

Will wisteria damage foundations?

Wisteria shouldn't damage strong foundations because their roots grow mostly down, rather than spreading wide. Standard plants will grow up to 3 foot below the ground, but older, mature plants can grow as deep as 10 feet. Generally, they will turn away or grow around solid obstacles, like foundations.

Don't plant wisteria near weak or damaged foundations

If the foundations are weak or damaged, wisteria's strong roots will force their way through, moving loose stone, block or rubble. This will compromise the strength of the foundation and you may end up with a subsidence problem.

Does wisteria damage houses?

Wisteria can damage houses built on clay soil

Clay soil is drier than others. Large trees and shrubs can draw the moisture from the soil, causing 'shrinkage' as the clay turns from a dense liquid to dust, and therefore subsidence.

Don't plant wisteria near old pipes or water tanks, septic tank or irrigation systems

Old pipes and water tanks are prone to leakage. The roots of any large plant will reach toward the water source and force their way in through the hole, causing further damage. They may follow the pipe into the foundations of the house.

How can I prevent subsidence caused by wisteria?

As well as making sure any underground pipes are not leaking, proper maintenance of the plant should protect your property and keep the wisteria healthy.

Mindful planting

If you can, plant the wisteria in a large planter, from which the roots cannot escape. You may consider burying a tub so that it still appears to be growing from the ground. Make sure that the structure you plan the wisteria to climb can sustain its weight and, if growing up the side of the house, secure strong supports for the vine. It is likely to rip weak trellis or wire right out of the walls.

Regular pruning

The root system of a plant is relative to the size of the aerial parts. Keeping the vine from growing too big will prevent the roots from growing too big. You can have a mature, established wisteria which is kept limited to the porch for example, and the roots should only extend to a similar size underground.

Your wisteria will need pruning at least once, if not twice a year. Its tendrils are famous for squeezing through windows, doors and under roof tiles. You must cut these back to avoid damage to the property.

Consider the weight of the plant. If it becomes too heavy, it will pull down fences, pergolas and even walls. Cut the vine back and consider removing thick and heavy sections altogether, as it grows.

Repair leaky pipes

The earlier you catch this issue, the easier it is to fix. Keep vigilant for blocked drains around the plant and for unusually high water bills, in case a mains inlet has been compromised. If you suspect your drains are blocked or leaking, arrange a specialist drain survey from one of our excellent RICS surveyors.

You may line leaky drains with a resin soaked liner, or replace them altogether with polypropylene pipes, which are resistant to damage from tree-roots. Your surveyor will recommend the best course of action for your circumstances.

Remain vigilant

Watch for signs of subsidence (especially if you know your house is built in a high clay area) and act quickly. We'll give you a tailored quote for one of our specialist structural engineers to carry out a subsidence survey, if you notice any of the following:

New cracks forming
Doors or windows warping or sticking
Bulging plaster
Sagging or sloping floors, walls or ceilings
Slanting porch or chimney
Lifting paving

Are you buying a house with wisteria?

All home buyers should get a home survey before buying a property, this is especially true if the building has (or had) wisteria or other plants with aggressive root systems. Our RICS surveyors can recognise signs of subsidence and will flag if there is evidence that you need to consult a structural engineer. Subsidence is one of the most expensive defects to remedy, so don't take the risk of buying without a quality RICS house survey.

Get a Survey Quote

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Written by: Caragh Bailey

Caragh is an excellent writer in her own right as well as an accomplished copy editor for both fiction and non-fiction books, news articles and editorials. She has written extensively for SAM for a variety of conveyancing, survey and mortgage related articles.

Reviewed by: Andrew Boast

Andrew started his career in 2000 working within conveyancing solicitor firms and grew hands-on knowledge of a wide variety of conveyancing challenges and solutions. After helping in excess of 50,000 clients in his career, he uses all this experience within his article writing for SAM, mainstream media and his self published book How to Buy a House Without Killing Anyone.

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