@stargazer Love Paul's work. I take numerous Host Defense products of his as well. I find them efficacious .
So about 8 months ago I asked a question about trees - and I mentioned one that was growing too close to the house and my wife's desire to remove it. While we have not reached a consensus on that, my description of why it was problematic was puzzling, so I have attached a picture of it here for all to see :-)
You can see it is growing very, very close to the foundation. It's all a rock foundation below it (no basement access, we call these a Michigan Basement) at this point but my wife is worried about how the roots will grow and affect the foundation at this corner of our house. (It was built in 1865 when the builder returned home from fighting in the Civil War). No further additional advice needed at this time, I just wanted to show you what we were dealing with.
And now, for no reason, a pretty picture taken right across from that at one of my favorite spots in the spring - when the lilacs bloom :-) No lilacs right now, but this snowfall this weekend was incredibly pretty! It's "zen" over here at the moment.
@dannyboy That is so pretty, I love trees! I never like taking trees down, but those seem a little close. When they're big you might have issues with branches falling on the roof, if your area gets windy at all. But they are beautiful. I'm sure they're lovely to see through the windows.
@jeanne-mayell - Yes! They DO look like two trees! It's one of those trees that immediately branched off after growing about a foot. We're not certain on the kind. Interesting enough I was in the safe the other day and pulled out the inspection on the house the year we bought it - it wasn't even there in 2005, so whatever it is it grows quickly.
In the summertime, its branches are covered with leaves that almost look like the walnut tree we have out back, but - our yard is comprised solely of weed plants and trees so it's probably something different. (Plus, no walnuts from this one - yet at least, maybe it's still too young)
Those branches shield the living room windows in the summer, and when taken in combination with the large Poplar tree just outside (so big it would take three of me to go around it linking arms) our house stays 20 degrees cooler than the ambient temperature outside during the summer months. That poplar has to go too - it's still alive but it has a massive hole in it that my wife worries about.
This is exactly the stupidest thing for me to be worried about, two trees at a house. I just have an odd affinity for both of them specifically - as if they're kind of ensuring that we're protected. We get MASSIVE winds out here and the large Poplar is right outside our bedroom window so my wife is convinced it's going to fall on us someday. It's the tallest tree in the area - I often use it as a landmark when giving directions.
I've stalled their removal for the next year or two at the least, given that I had a quote from a friend on what it would cost to remove them. Obviously I could do the mystery tree myself, just not the poplar. It's cost prohibitive at the moment, so I told my wife she'd have to save up to afford the removal ?
@dannyboy I am an Arborist, so you know I love trees. That said, I would be very concerned about a fast growing, volunteer tree so close to my house. It could cause major foundation problem, as well as pipe problems if it is near the water or sewer lines. The root system of most trees is similar to the size of the crown. So it may be easier to remove it before it causes major damage to your house.
On a separate note, it looks like you have a beautiful piece of property and a lovely favorite spot to enjoy in the spring. ?
@dannyboy, I remember that! Was just thinking about it:-) I agree that it does look it can cause damage... When you talk about cost of removing are talking about hiring people to chop it down? (even typing it feels horrid:s)
@mtgal99, Would it be possible to move a tree like this to another spot? Not sure if Dannyboy would want to or even can, but perhaps that is also an option if done very carefully with enough help to dig it out?
Okay! I have a spring project now :-) Though being country we have septic and that and our well are on the other side of the house, but I know - unfortunately - that you are all correct. I just love that tree.
For the big poplar tree we were quoted about $2500 which, given its size, actually seemed cheaper than I thought, but more than I have to spend on one thing, especially while the tree is alive.. I'll try to get a good picture of that one later. It's really impressive. Really, really impressive!
@mtgal99 - Volunteer tree is exactly my entire yard :-) I love this phrase and will now call ALL my volunteer trees by this name.
@dannyboy You've been given sound advice. I have a near-Druidic reverence for trees, but sometimes they have to go. This is one of those times.
It might be nice if you talked to the tree before it comes down and tell it thanks for the shade and protection, but its roots are undermining your house.
And, If you can get any seeds off the trees, it would be a sign of respect if you could help the tree continue on in a way. You could try to sprout them in small pots and then plant the seedlings in a more appropriate spot on your property. (Plant a lot of seeds because usually only a minority will germinate, at least in my limited experience.) Or maybe you could take cuttings and root them if the tree isn't making any seeds. (I don't know if that will work or not.)