Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: How close?, 0 by StarhillForest

StarhillForest wrote:
Occasionally someone asks how close a tree should be to their house. There is no one right answer because there are so many variables.

When planting a large-growing tree, the usual rule of thumb is 15 feet minimum. But as any gangster knows, thumbs were made to be broken.

When preserving an existing tree, the situation may be different. Here is an old elm, 16 feet in circumference, growing within arm's length of a house near here. (This is the same tree as seen on page 497 of my book, for those of you who have it.) When the concerned owner asked a few years ago if it was too close, I suggested that it ain't broke so don't fix it, even though he probably does need to reinforce his basement wall. And when he pressed the point, I said "Maybe you're right -- remove the house."

Well, the photo was taken yesterday, so I guess he decided not to remove the house after all!

Anyone else want to comment?

Guy S.