How close to Geo wells can you plant trees?

[cscigu]

We have a new Geo system with four wells on one side of the house. Recently had a couple of small trees given to me, and I'm wondering how close to these wells it might be safe to plant one.

My alarms bells are going off on this, I'm not willing to risk any problems, and feel like I should stay completely away. Have been unable to find anything addressing this issue on this site, or the web.

These are four vertical wells with poly pipe. I have a diagram of their layout, so I know fairly exactly where they are.

[waterpirate]

If you have to ask....
Seriously though do you know exactly where the roots will be in 5 years in relation to your manifolding or piping? I would be concerned with the "potential" of something bad happening.
Eric

[AMI Contracting]

I've heard and believe, it is more likely the loops will impact the tree than vice versa.
You can picture roots, avoiding soil that is colder in the winter and hotter in the summer.
While again, I am going on the un quantifiable opinions of other pros, I've heard; no closer than 5 feet from a tree on new digs- to outside the drip edge (farthest reach of bottom branches) to ensure no impact.
I looked at a job once where homeowner suggested her mature hardwoods with nearly intertwinning branches, were more important than owning geo. I would not promise not to impact trees (as I could not stay out from under drip edge). She went elsewhere.
I was not willing to bet my mark-up against a mature oak.
j

[engineer]

That said, I believe root ball shape much depends on the tree species - some send roots horizontally way way out, others head down, staying near trunk

Seek guidance from a local tree expert. County extension office may be able to point you to an expert.

Prior to building on my lot, I asked the surveyor to include trees on the survey at a minor extra charge, maybe $200 and then I had in a local guy to comment on the characteristics of the various trees, which were worth expending effort to preserve, and how to deter and mitigate likely construction impacts - one of the better $125 I've ever spent

[geome]

Don't get between a weeping willow and water. I've read that the roots can travel as much as 3 times the size of the canopy.