Question
Will the roots of this tree buckle cement or damage a foundation to a house?  I want to plant this tree in the front of my house near a walkway.  Are the roots deep?

Answer
The major roots of Golden rain tree is a tap root system. The side roots are fibrous and cause no problem with sidewalks or foundations. The roots will extend about twice the size of the width of the foliage and be about 6-18 inches under the ground. Their roots do not have a reputation of causing any problems. When you plant the tree dig the new hole twice the size of the rootball of the tree and fill with good top soil. Mulch the area with not more then 3 inches of mulch, this will help hold moisture and protect the tree form mower damage.

The closeness to the walkway would have more to do with the branches over the walkway in later years and the need to prune them back. At maturity they can be 30 feet tall and 30 feet wide crown. But at this age you would want to prune the lower limbs off anyway. I would think about 4-5 feet from the walkway would be ok but that will depend on what effect you are trying to achieve with the planting.