Welcome aboard.

The big tree in the back? My wag is metasequoia. Well because it is always my suggestion or guess lol.

Maybe my old phone here just isn't zooming in well enough, but could ya provide a closer up photo of the foliage?

Far as why the roots are on the surface I blame changes in ground level then good, consistent moisture availability, once again a wag. How far from your house is the tree?

To be clear I am talking about the tall tree and yes the one on the back in the photo. I realized there are three in there.
The tree is about 10 feet from the house. Another photo of the bottom part of the tree

Ok here is one photo of the foliage. Sorry its getting dark out there.

and another one..

This is the foliage of another tree which is 5 feet from the house. Its a small tree probably 15 feet, but the roots are reaching the house

The conifers are Thuja plicata and Chamaecyparis obtusa.

Thanks. Are there roots supposed to grow that wide?

what roots.. no pic ...

and how do you know which tree any given root goes to.. unless you can trace it back ... by sight.. to the trunk????

tree roots have no effect on INTACT basements/foundation ....

if such is already a problem.... then the tree will take advantage ...

did you not have a house inspection..

ken

Roots go out, not down and yes, those roots grow wide. There is often a comparison to the root spread diameter to twice the height of the tree, but that is not hard and fast. Sometimes they will be more restricted and at other times could spread much wider - it is all in response to nutrients and moisture availability. And to any obstructions in their path.

Thuja plicata, western red cedar, is native to the PNW and there are many very venerable and very large specimens in gardens all over, even in the heart of the city. As they age, they often produce a quantity of large surface roots, to the bane of many lawnmowers :-)

As ken noted, roots are not a threat to a stable and secure foundation, especially in most of the PNW where soil subsidence is not an issue. They can and do lift slabs and patios or driveways, however.