if your foundation.. is in such bad shape.. that tree roots are a problem.. you ought to be worrying about it.. and not some flowering shrub ... eh???

plants do NOT 'cause' cement problems.. though they can take advantage of pre-existing problems ...

so, you tell us.. is your foundation intact.. or a problem.. to begin with..

which means.. i wouldnt worry about it .... especially since i would NOT plant this things w/in 10 to 15 feet of the house ... quince has great potential.. it should not be planted very close ...

and since it suckers.. i dont understand how it could be espaliered ... not that it cant be done.. mind you.. just that it would seem to be a never ending battle with suckers .... nothing 'new' was ever discovered.. by those who say it cant be done.. give it a go ....

all training of shape.. is between you and your pruning shears.. the plant has no vote.. lol ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

Haha.

Nah, house is new and hasn't shifted too much. Wife is just a bit overzealous about that kind of precautions.

Thanks for the input Ken!

tell her ... there is a big difference between a 85 foot maple.. and some little 8 foot flowering shrub ...

both have roots.. one MIGHT be a problem in 50 years ... the other not ...

perspective.. and reality are key ...

besides.. there are other things that need to be worried about.. but not this ....

its good she is thought about it.. now move on.... and think about something else ....

its just not a worry thing.. in my book ....

ken