Yes, tree roots can significantly damage a concrete foundation through two primary mechanisms:

• Moisture Extraction and Settlement: As tree roots grow, they naturally seek out moisture in the soil surrounding foundations. In areas with an expansive clay soil foundation, roots can extract moisture from the subgrade, causing the soil to dry and contract unevenly. This creates voids that lead to differential settlement beneath the foundation slab.
• Physical Lifting: Large trees planted too close to a home can exert direct upward pressure on concrete footings as the roots expand in diameter. This physical growth can actually lift the foundation footing.

To prevent this damage, it is recommended to install root barriers or plant new trees at a distance equal to at least their expected mature height from the structure. If damage has already occurred, simply removing the roots is rarely enough to restore stability; professional solutions like helical pier systems may be required to transfer the building’s load to deeper, more stable soil.