Manihot grahamii, tapioca tree.

Hi Carol23!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!! YEY :)))))

you probably dont want anything with that growth rate.. that close to the foundation ...

at the link.. see how bog it can get ..

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

I can assure you that Manihot grahamii will never damage a foundation.
Might block the view and encourage pests to enter the home however.

Is the wood very soft, Salt? One showed up in my Mom's yard & she got sick of it after a few years. The trunk was about 6" in diameter. I thought the leaves were cool-looking but if memory serves, it's an invasive non-native.

They regularly freeze back or are short lived overall. "Wood" is hollow or with very soft pith. Fungi/bacterial rots and termites are their foes.

This post was edited by saltcedar on Thu, Dec 12, 13 at 18:03

thanks for all the info :) I just like it because it looks so pretty! if it gets out of hand I will get it cut down ... thanks everyone and Happy Holidays!

I can assure you that Manihot grahamii will never damage a foundation.
Might block the view and encourage pests to enter the home however.

==== >>> you are correct.. i was think maintenance nightmare ... not damage ...

never forget.. things are planted.. to HIDE THE FOUNDATION ... not ON the foundation ...

an intact foundation should not be impacted by any plant ... period.. not many plants can drill thru cement or brick or rock ...

if you have foundation problems.. the plant took advantage of a pre-existing problem.. it was not.. usually.. the CAUSE ... IMHO

ken

It is not about tree roots drilling into a foundation. It's about clay soil, and the effects of the shrinking soil and what the roots can do.
I have seen first hand roots of a large burr oak damage a foundation.
I think slab foundations are more of a problem with clay soils.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tree Roots and Buildings

Carol's correct but it hardly applies to this diminutive drought tolerant shrub/tree.

I'm well aware that *some* roots can damage a structure/foundation. It doesn't sound like hollow Manihot is anything like a mighty oak, or that it needs much age to produce seeds, which disperse via explosive dehiscence. I've read anecdotes about how the seeds can be heard popping open and that being hit with the flying seeds is uncomfortable. Never did happen to check out Mom's tree at the right time to see that in person.

This made me curious about where you are, Naledi. Where is ZA? That corner is probably a lovely microclimate for a more desirable plant, if/when you sour on this invader.

Invasion of the South African ecosystem is of much more concern I believe.
They have a history of multiple invasive species causing much disruption.