Location, soil type, exposure, other standard requests for standard information.

Dan

Gabrielle12,
It sounds like you have some fairly compacted and possibly clay soil. While many maples in the landscape tend to be shallow rooted, Most trees will tend to have surface roots if the soil is too dense for there to be oxygen below the surface, as roots require this. So it is probable that many trees would have similar problems. Since your space is limited, i would suggest a smaller under story type tree that is native to your area. Smaller tree normally means smaller root area and should help to minimize the driveway problem.

Not familiar with your area so probably someone else can help with that.

Sorry, forgot that very pertinent info! Soil is sand/ topsoil mix, which I do amend when planting anything with a compost/topsoil blend (I don't have any idea as to pH). Plants that have done well in that same area are hollies, camellias, azaleas, butterfly bush, viburnum, pyracantha, and ivy. Drainage is excellent. Exposure is western, will have full sun from about 10 a.m. to sunset. We are on a brackish water river which we use for watering. I am looking for shade to windows on that side of house.

Sorry, I misspoke. I should have said "have had" in regard to the maples (last home, and yes it was horrible clay). I also neglected to add that the windows are second story, so am looking for a very tall tree.

Just about anything is better than red maples for surface roots.

Aside from the maples, you will want to *avoid* willow, beech, elm, flowering pear, and bald cypress, all have reputations for problematic roots.

Without knowing your location, all I can say are some trees to avoid.

Zone 8, Williamsburg VA area.