Do you remember the name of the tree? What type magnolia? I'm not familiar with any smaller varieties but.... the one in my front yard is probably 30-35 ft. high and is

only 15 yrs. old. Would be safer, I think, if you moved it.

You might want to read some of the following articles that a search of magnolia roots produced. The "headlines" suggest moving it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=root+system+of+magnolia&rlz=1CAZBMY_enUS663US665&oq=root+system+of+magnolia&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3.6618j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

also need to know how far away from house is it? Some articles posted above say,

if it's the dwarf variety "Little Gem", it should be no closer than 10 ft. from house. but

if another variety at least 20 ft. is needed. Also sometimes trees are mismarked.

well it WAS way to close, about 4 feet. But I found a nice spot for it away from house, driveways and sewer lines; don't know what I was thinking. Luckily it hadn't grown much and should be fine in its new home and more sun to boot. Planted a nice big White Bird of Paradise where the Magnolia had been. thanks all.

Is it a saucer magnolia aka tulip magnolia, grand magnolia, teddy bear, little gem or many other. I disagree with moving the little gem no closer than 10 foot. I have four little gems 15 foot wide by 30, about 5 foot from the driveway and that is perfect spacing for their columnar growth habit. I think two framing a house with 3/4 of the back trimmed on the house side think of 3/4 of a pizza all the way to the ground would look stunning. Heck I have seen some grand magnolias planted 6 feet from the corners of old plantations that look stunning granted most had their central leaders cut creating a magnolia that resembled a weeping live oak moreso than a traditional magnolia. I would argue you coukld even put a small piece of steel down in between the house and tree to discourage roots going to the house. What is insane are planting oaks and pines 2 feet from the house...