Expert: Jim Hyland - 5/9/2007

Question
QUESTION: how far do I need to plant my italian cypress from the wall/house? Thank you very much in advance.
ANSWER: The foliage of Italian cypress  extend about 10-15 feet from the trunk the roots on will extend about twice this area. So if they are kept about 20-30 feet from the wall/house and you will not have a problem. Italian cypress root system is pretty aggressive.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: oh dear! (wow - that was a quick reply - thank you!!!)
we planted it about a yard away from the wall. When I
drive around Lancaster, it seems people have them right
next to their house or wall. Maybe I need to take a closer look. I'm so glad I wrote. I have absolutely no idea on this stuff. So if we leave it in, we will most certainly get damage, right? Oh, how I wished I would have asked BEFORE I planted it. I didnt realise it is so much work. I should have asked someone at home depot. It looks so small and helpless.

Answer
The will grow to a height: 40 to 60 feet and this is too much of a tree to be only three feet from the house. When it gets large I would think you will have root problems form being too close. I would move it now since it should be easy to move since it is newly planted.