katiek
New Member
Hi there. I have a HUGE oak tree growing very close to the house. It's canopy provides shade to my 1400 sqft. home and covers the whole thing. The house was built in 1952 and judging from the size of the tree, I would say it was here before the house was built. But, I don't really know. I have lived in the house for 13 years and when I bought the house I couldn't imagine that the tree would get any bigger, but it has.
It doesn't appear to be causing damage to the foundation though I would say its roots have caused my driveway to buckle and crack in places. However, it causes a mess and makes it near impossible to grow anything in the yard due to the heavy shade it provides. Additionally, there is always the fear that it will drop a large limb on my house as well as it might just grow right into the side of the house.
I am interested in having it removed; however, I am concerned about what I have read on the internet that removing a tree that has been symbiotic to the house for so long could actually cause foundation issues in the long run with the swell and shifting of the soil once the roots decay.
I am seeking advice on whether anyone knows about root decay and foundations as well as your opinion about what you would do if this was your house.
I recognize that removing the tree will cause the whole landscape of the house to be different as well as my air conditioning bill in the summer to likely increase. I am just needing help with the pros and cons of removing it versus leaving it.
Ugh! What a decision, and an expensive one at that. Kind of seems like a lose-lose.
Thanks in advance for all of your help!
It doesn't appear to be causing damage to the foundation though I would say its roots have caused my driveway to buckle and crack in places. However, it causes a mess and makes it near impossible to grow anything in the yard due to the heavy shade it provides. Additionally, there is always the fear that it will drop a large limb on my house as well as it might just grow right into the side of the house.
I am interested in having it removed; however, I am concerned about what I have read on the internet that removing a tree that has been symbiotic to the house for so long could actually cause foundation issues in the long run with the swell and shifting of the soil once the roots decay.
I am seeking advice on whether anyone knows about root decay and foundations as well as your opinion about what you would do if this was your house.
I recognize that removing the tree will cause the whole landscape of the house to be different as well as my air conditioning bill in the summer to likely increase. I am just needing help with the pros and cons of removing it versus leaving it.
Ugh! What a decision, and an expensive one at that. Kind of seems like a lose-lose.
Thanks in advance for all of your help!