Can I save the tree and build the shop?

[jkimball]

Hello,
About 2 years ago I bought a house with a large concrete slab in the back yard (20 x 30 feet). The slab has a pecan tree about 2 feet away. (see pictures) The tree seems fairly young; maybe 10 to 20 years, but I'm not sure. It has a minimum 12 inch diameter.

Here is my question.
I am planning on building a shop on the concrete slab. I would like to save the tree because of shade, obviously. However, I know it will only get bigger and continue to grow into the structure.
Is there any way of saving the tree or should I just remove it while it is still manageable?

Also, there is a small piece of concrete sitting between the slab and the tree with a 3-4 inch pipe running down. I'm not sure what this is. My guess is that it was a drain for a camper. My neighbor said that the previous owners liked to travel and thought that they had a camper.


Thanks for the help,
J. Kimball

 

[Raintree]

Smart money says take the tree, Pecans have the potential of being a large tree.

 

[flashhole]

The small piece of concrete with the drain is already lifting at the end nearest the tree. That will not get any better over time. I would remove it and plant another ornamental tree further away.

 

[treemandan]

Sell that Pecan wood as smoking wood!


A stitch in time, saves nine.

Is that what that means? Thanks, I get it now. I always thought it was some kind of reference to time warp and have been waiting for that stitch but now it seems so simple.