Great question. The short answer is: yes, it’s possible, but not guaranteed. Tree roots, especially those of large, fast-growing species like oaks, maples, or poplars, can absolutely cause a street bench to shift, tilt, or even push upward over time. But it depends on several factors.
First, let’s talk about how tree roots grow. Most feeder roots stay in the top 6 to 12 inches of soil, spreading far beyond the tree’s canopy. If your bench sits directly over or near a major root zone, the roots will continue to thicken as the tree matures. This process, called secondary growth, can physically lift anything on top, including concrete slabs, paving stones—and yes, bench legs or concrete bases.
But a bench is relatively light compared to a sidewalk. If the bench is simply placed on grass or dirt without a heavy concrete footing, roots might push it sideways rather than lift it straight up. If the bench is bolted into a concrete pad, that pad could crack or tilt as roots push from underneath.
There’s also the type of tree. Slow-growing trees like dogwoods or Japanese maples are much less likely to cause problems. Aggressive rooters like willows, silver maples, and elms are risky neighbors for any hardscape.
Finally, the distance matters. A bench placed just beyond the tree’s drip line (the outermost edge of the canopy) is much safer than one next to the trunk. Roots there are smaller and less likely to thicken enough to cause issues.
So my advice: If you want a bench near a tree, choose a slow-growing species, keep the bench at least 6–10 feet from the trunk, and avoid setting it in a heavy concrete foundation if you want to move it later without damage. A little planning now can save you a tilted bench—and a headache—a few years down the road.