Evergreen Tree Advice - Too Close To House?

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turbocruiser

turbocruiser

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I hope that this section allows landscaping advice, if not please feel free to move to chat. I have two evergreen trees that are approximately three feet from my foundation. They are tall "sculpted" things with long flowing arms and are about 15 years old planted by the original owner. I'm worried that they are too close to the foundation but before I simply saw them down I wanted to get the wisdom of mud and ask about these particular root systems - do they pose any threat to foundations? Thanks as always. :cheers:
 
A good rule of thumb when planting evergreens is ten feet from anything not wanting to be covered. The root systen on a tree is about as large, below grade , as the tree above grade. You might not have to down them if they are fine now. Do you see any water seepage in the foundation walls now? The average life for an evergreen is 30 to 40 years.
 
If your foundation isn't leaking then leave them.

Unless your just looking for a reason to take them down in which case hell yaa they are a major threat to your foundation and should be eliminated.
 
reffug said:
If your foundation isn't leaking then leave them.

Unless your just looking for a reason to take them down in which case hell yaa they are a major threat to your foundation and should be eliminated.
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No, not wanting to eliminate as such, just worried about any potential damage, IOW, I dont want to wait for the foundation to seep, I'm trying to pre-emptively prevent that if there is a reasonable risk of that happening. If the root below is really as big as the tree above, I'm gonna have to cut the thing tomorrow. Crap.
 
fire issue?
 
Is the foundation a mono pour?

If so I wouldn't think it would become an issue.

However I'm not a builder but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.
 
What kind of evergreen is it? They vary vastly in many respects. As photogod already mention the root system could easily be wider then the drip line of the tree.

I would definitely take them down, especially if there is other trees in the general vicinity.
 
Dave-T said:
What kind of evergreen is it? They vary vastly in many respects. As photogod already mention the root system could easily be wider then the drip line of the tree.

I would definitely take them down, especially if there is other trees in the general vicinity.
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I'm not really sure what type they are, I would say that they are ornamental in the sense that they've been sculpted to look like twisting freeflow art forms. Pretty tall ( approx 12 feet ) and they are not shaped like the typical triangle type evergreen (at least not anymore ). Thanks for all the advice. :cheers:
 
Usually evergreens are planted on the north side of the property and are used to slow down cold north winds, thus saving heating costs. If they are on the south side of the house then it would be to your advantage to cut them down to allow winter sun to hit your house for solar heating.
General size scale matters. Big house and small trees looks out of place. Small house with big trees also look bad. If the tree looks too large for the house it would be to your advantage, for resale value, to plant something that will look pleasing for future prospective buyers.
View would be another reason for cutting it down. Does it cover up ugly neighbor's landcruiser parts yard or opens up your windows for your neighbors to look in.
I think the root system is not too destructive to the foundation, I would be more concerned if the sewer lines are closer. Roots always search for water and will eventually go into the seams of the pipes and clog them. You pay hundreds to clear the roots.
If the variety of tree is larger in maturity, you should consider cutting it down before you'll have to hire professionals to cut it down. I assume it is about 20ft tall. How large are they?
I think scale is the biggest factor in cutting decision. If it looks odd, put a better looking plant that will complement the beauty of the house.Don't work too hard to plan your landscaping around the trees. Evergreens are cheap. That's my landscaping advice. Post pics and I can give you more landscaping advice.
 
12 ft isn't too large. Like a Bonsai, if cut to a specific height the root system will not grow too big.
Sculpted evergreen form seems to give a formal look. Something found in villa or house that has columns. Does your house have that form? Are the two evergreens equally spaced and symetrical to the house( ex. both found on each side of the front entrance).
 
They are equally spaced on the side, North to North-West face, of the house, off of our garage and are not blocking any view nor really providing any shade to speak of. I think they look pretty cool but again they are less than three feet from the foundation and that sorta worries me. I'd rather leave them alone if there is no potential for foundation damage and I'd rather cut them out if there is. I suppose I should do a better job of identification I'll check my state university system for their tree identification guide but the basic thing is trying to identify whatever risk there is to the foundation. Thanks again for all the advice, I appreciate it. :cheers:
 
Wow only 12 ft I was picturing something much bigger. ;)

Something that small should really be no problem, but it would be helpful to see a few pics. Ask yourself, what purpose is it serving presently? If none, cut it down!
 
I agree on the 12' advice, sounds like they could be something in the lines of a Thuja or Arborvitae which doesn't get any larger than that. They also have a fairly mild root structure.

Go to the local nursery retail center or a bookstore and pick up a book that covers landscape plants used in your area. I wouldn't cut them down till you know exactly what they are and their habits.
 
12 ft in 15 years is kinda slow growing. It probably spent 3 or 4 years in the nursery to before it was sent out to the retail outlets. If it shoots up in size I would cut it down to manageable size. Large trees will cost you more money to maintain in the long run especially if it is near your electrical lines and you need to have it trimmed or it falls down and causes damage.
 
reffug said:
So did you kill the tree?

You Tree killer.
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Yer not gonna get that information out of me,

at least not without several cc's of sodium pentathol and a strobe light set at 42 per minute!!! :D :flipoff2: :D

Seriously though they are still standing. I'm taking the collective advice to positively identify the tree first and research the root structure and such. Then we will decide to cut or not.

By the way, do you have an evergreen wreath for your front door yet??? :lol:
 
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