I just bought a house that's nearly a century old, and I've noticed several tall trees in the yard, especially one that's really close to my home. I'm worried about the roots possibly damaging the foundation. The previous owner mentioned that a tree expert checked it out and said the trees were fine, but I'm not sure if I can trust that advice. I'm looking for any guidance on whether I should get this tree removed or if it's safe to keep it.
4 Answers
Honestly, I think it's best to remove it. There's really no good reason to have a tree so close to your home.
Honestly, a lot of folks here might say to remove it, but take that with a grain of salt. The internet loves to play it safe, especially with trees! If you call a tree service, they'll likely recommend removal too since that’s their business. An arborist might offer a more balanced perspective, but some are really just focused on cutting down trees. Without more info on that specific tree and your house, it's tough to say definitively whether it’s a problem or not. Personally, I think the trees can add a lot of character to the yard, so I wouldn’t rush to cut them down just because of what you read here.
It really depends on how long that tree has been there. If its roots have been growing around your foundation for a while, it probably won't cause issues now. Sometimes removing a tree can also create problems if there are roots under the foundation because dead roots can lead to settling. Think about how it affects your house drainage too; sometimes those roots help by drawing away excess water. If you like the tree's appearance, that's yet another reason to keep it!
One more thing to keep in mind is that having a tree so close to your house can lead to critters making their way inside. We had a major issue with squirrels in our old house; they got into the attic and caused a lot of damage. We ended up spending over $3000 to fix electrical issues because they chewed through wires. If you decide to keep it, just make sure you’re keeping the branches trimmed back to reduce that risk.