Tree roots vs XPS basement insulation

NRW as well.

Oak 4m
Walnut, Sweet Cherry 2m
Lilac 1m

Strange. Apparently, you have built too much. ;)

Third house by now ;), But the average with a 20x20m plot and a 10x10m house, which stands roughly in the middle (due to required distances) and still leaves space for a front garden, would not get a single tree with a 10m planting distance. Even with 25x25m it doesn't work, because you have to keep distances to the boundary (neighborhood regulations) - in NRW at least 4m for fast-growing trees (otherwise 2m). I always make it dependent on the size and function of the tree or its root system.

Ever dug up a fully grown tree including roots?

No oak, but cherry laurel up to 40 years old, yews, among others. The roots had all grown in a manageable range. Never more than 1-1.5m away from the trunk.

Maybe I am just too weak

There are good professional tools for that :cool:

What, you have distance regulations for individual tree species?

But of course. Here in BW everything is very precisely regulated (Neighbor Law BW §12 + 16). Hedge 0.5m. Smaller trees 2-3m, except smaller fruit trees which are allowed 1m in the inner area. Birch, crack willow, etc. 4m, spreading large trees 8m. There is also a maximum height for each class, otherwise you have to keep a correspondingly greater distance.

No oak, but cherry laurel, yews, etc. up to 40 years old. The roots all grew within a manageable distance. Never more than 1-1.5m away from the trunk.

No offense, but I actually wasn't asking you. Apparently, you are an experienced tree transplanting expert. :D

Apparently you are an experienced tree transplanting expert. :D

I'm just a tree nudger ;) - and quite a few had to go.

Here in BW ... hedge 0.5m. Smaller trees 2-3m, except smaller fruit trees which are allowed 1m in the interior area. Birch, willow, etc. 4m, sprawling large trees 8m. Additionally, there is a maximum height for each category, otherwise you must keep a greater distance accordingly.

Crazy. We only have 0.5m distance for everything up to 2m and 2m distance for everything over 2m.