Foundation Risk Assessment: Spartan Juniper vs. Magnolia

6-year-old landscape: 2 Spartan junipers 3 ft from house/foundation, 2 magnolias 6 ft from house with scale/sooty mold.

Spartan Juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Spartan')

• Mature width: ~5 ft (branches 2.5 ft)
• 3 ft from house = acceptable IF pruned
• Roots: Non-aggressive to foundations

Magnolia (High Risk)

• Mature spread: 15–20 ft
• 6 ft from house = far too close
• Roots: Can damage walks/foundations
• Action: Transplant to 20+ ft from structures

Magnolia Scale Treatment

• Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Control (imidacloprid)
• Soil application → systemic to foliage
• Kills feeding scale → sooty mold disappears
• Large trees: 1–2 weeks for translocation

Garage Shrubs

Juniper shrubs (not trees)—roots non-threatening. Maintain by pruning.