Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Of Trees and Roots ...

I am in the planning stages of this deck. I've built decks before and am conversant with the techniques involved. Here's the problem, which I have never seen addressed anywhere. Approximately 16 feet out from my back door is a large ash tree. We are not talking small here. My calculations indicate a diameter through the trunk at 3' off the ground of almost 36". My tentative design is for a 14' deep deck (going almost to this tree) with a one or two step lower deck off that to one side of "The Tree." Although I've seen beaucoup pix of decks encompassing trees in their designs, I've never seen anything about how the dickens the builders accomplished footings or supports in such close proximity to the trees and their attendant roots. Even assuming a cantilever off the beam of 2-3', it's still a sure bet that I'll be running into roots. Large roots.

Enlightenment? Ideas?

Just use above-ground 4" solid concrete cap blocks for post supports close to the tree over the large root system.
That section near the tree will be held solid by being tied to the rest of the deck that has in-ground posts.
Good Luck!
Mike

No problems with settling, frost, etc..?