I just noticed that the surface roots of the tree in my front yard are headed for the street and my brick house. At the rate they are growing I figure I've got two years before they hit the house and a year or so before they start running into my flower bed.
Now I know you shouldn't cover surface roots of a tree. Would it hurt the tree if I cut the roots heading for the house and street to slow down it's forward growth? Is there an easy fix for this?
Thanks
X
Is this a Silver Maple? If it is, run for your life. Or, start choosing a replacement with a better temperment and pedigree.
I would trim the roots and don't think it would harm the tree. Sending out roots doesn't seem to be that trees problem. LOL
Yep, Silver Maple.
Seek on-site professional advice from an ISA-registered arboricultural consultant. Cutting the roots (particularly if cut close to the tree) can lead to more serious problems in the future, including root decay and subsequent falling of the tree, which is a far worse danger.
Resin
A Silver Maple is a bad tree. A very bad tree. They may be fine in the wild, but in your front yard -- not good.
It seems small enough for fairly affordable removal, but if you wait, it will be a very expensive project. I know it sounds harsh to hear that it has to go, but you should research them and truly consider having it removed. They can grind the stump and those roots in your yard, and you can plant something more front-yard-friendly.
Trying to trim the roots will only taunt that thing, and it will be worse than before. It is a thug and its roots are growing where they are because it has found water and it will continue seeking and slurping up all the water in the area.
The roots you see on the surface are not just "heading" towards your house. If they are heading in that direction, then they are already there. You will find his roots at the base of the downspouts and driplines of your house, and there are roots growing toward the street because that is a low spot and also because that is where the storm drain system is.
My neighborhood was built in the 70's when SMs were commonly planted. One by one, all of my neighbors has either had them strangle their sewage pipes or has had to pay $700-$900 to have these massive towering beasts removed. I was lucky and got a deal from my tree guy because I was having some other tree work done at the same time. I wondered if I could just keep it trimmed up, and the tree guy said for the same price of a trimming, he would be happy to take it out and grind the stump for free. He said he feels much better about taking them out because he knows how bad they are.
Yours in the pic is manageable, but it won't be for long. Seriously.
You are smart to be concerned about it now, and looking into solutions. But for the Silver Maple, there is only one solution. The final solution.
This message was edited Apr 28, 2008 10:15 PM
Thanks for the info .. I guess I'll start getting estimates for removal .. does anyone know if home owners insurance cover something like this?
X
if home owners insurance cover something like this?
Not until it falls on something. And then only the 'something' is covered.
Good luck, and enjoy planning for its replacement.
Thanks .. I'm expecting someone any minute to give me an estimate for removal.
X
I have an 80 year old silver maple in my small back yard, and it hasn't caused any problems of that nature, but that's probably due to the relatively clay, moist soil that encourages the roots to go farther below the surface. I suppose the invasiveness of the roots could be controlled a bit by pruning the tree's branches aggressively, thus encouraging the roots to expend more energy on re-sprouting, but that wouldn't be a permanent solution.
Problem there is the poster is in South Carolina and that maple probably grow 6 ft a year. I know, I have red maples pop up as weeds and they take no time to get big. I left a couple to grow into trees and from seed to 12 ft it was maybe 4 years. I would think a silver maple would grow very fast too.
This message was edited Apr 29, 2008 12:28 PM
X - Good decision. You won't regret it.
Well the question is moot now .. it's coming out this afternoon. I've started another thread to help find me a good replacement tree .. one that is well behaved.
Thanks to everyone for all the help!!!
X
Excellent! You won't be sorry, because it will never be a stress in the back of your mind again. Any chance you want to tell us how much the removal is going to set you back? I am just curious, and future readers of this thread who are grappling with the same decision about the dreaded SM might be interested.
Best of luck for the new planting. My front yard was so ripped up by all the stump/root grinding that I made a wide and long bed and I am working on a nice planting that includes a dogwood, a cotinus (grace), some shrub roses, a hepticodium, and a green giant. I am very happy with it so far.
Again, bravo on your decision. You are really a git er done kind of gardener.
I got quoted 700 for everything .. removal, stump root grinding and haul off. I offered 500 cold hard cash after making a discreet call to their insurance company .. and everyone is happy.
X
Wow I would say $700 is a lot to get rid of a tree that size. $500 is still better but stil not cheap. Glad I got my wife up in that pine to saw it down. LOL.
