Am I killing this tree?

[A930Rocket]

After we sold our last house a couple years ago, we bought a townhome, while we decide what to do next.

Maintenance is covered by the neighborhood, but we have a tree between the driveways and the roots are growing underneath the driveway.

A 2-3” root was also going under the house. While we were working in that area, last weekend, I cut back the root. I also cut back some roots closer to the tree, but ran out of time to cut the root growing under the driveway. My hope is, the root dies over time and the driveway settles back down.

It was stupid to plant this kind of tree, knowing it’s going to get big and continue to destroy the driveways. You can see that mine has lifted up and is cracking. Our neighbors, is also lifting up.

Besides the damage to the driveway, I’m concerned about the house, foundation and termites. Also, where the driveway meets the public sidewalk, there is now a 2” disparity. I’m concerned that somebody will twist an ankle, etc. and try to sue me.

So, if I keep the roots and check, will the tree die? I wouldn’t mind replacing it with a palm tree, as many other neighbors have one.

[KFC911]

How big is the tree (pics?) ... a 2-3" root might have been it's primary H2O supply...

Yeah ... I can relate ....

Why do they do that?

I dunno???

Can't axe my dad

Edited: I see pics .

Dead.

[A930Rocket]

The tree was a lot smaller 12 years ago. It’s probably 10 inches or so now, and only going to get bigger. Way bigger.

[Por_sha911]

Bite the bullet and drop the tree now before it does more damage and has to be removed anyway

[Crowbob]

^^this^^

[Zeke]

Pile me on third. Get rid of it now. You won't be able to plant another tree in the spot unless you really mitigate the stump and root system. That means excavating the area between the drives. You could grind the stump and put killer on it and plant a few feet away either side.

[juanbenae]

Do you know what species the tree is? Looks like maybe a liquid amber?

If you can determine that and research their root pruning susceptibility that could help you decide where to go with it. Planting any tree near concrete or turf without root barrier will lead to surface roots instead of deep ones resulting in lifting things.

I realize you did not plant the tree, but after root pruning installing some root barrier might help moving forward. If it is a liquid amber they are notorious for invading joints, crushing and creating havoc with bell and spigot clay sewer pipe. If your waste line is close to that tree that will be the next issue. A few square feet of new concrete will be cheaper than a new sewer lateral..

[A930Rocket]

I’m pretty sure It’s an oak tree of some kind.

As far as taking it down, I’m sure I’d have to get with my neighbor (good folks) and the HOA property management (not so good folks).

I would take it out myself and get somebody to grind it. Then replace it with a palm tree a few feet away.

Stay tuned…

[Baz]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

The tree was a lot smaller 12 years ago.

Yep. Famous last words, as they say.

My biggest pet peeve in landscape has always been poor spacing decisions.

Landscape architects are notorious for this but also many landscape designers and installers.

Based on all the damage the roots are creating "I would think" your HOA would give you the green light to take it out and replace with a Cabbage Palm. Planted quite a ways away from that one of course to mitigate how much root system you will have to deal with digging the new hole.

You can chainsaw the existing one at ground level and spray the open-faced wood left with Tordon RTU and that will kill the rest of the tree and root system. Easiest way to do it vs stump grinding which just leaves a big mess.

Just my 2 cents....

[A930Rocket]

Thanks, Baz! How long would it take for that stuff work?

I can cut the tree into pieces, then have my landscaper pick it up and plant a palm tree at the same time.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Thanks, Baz! How long would it take for that stuff work?

I can cut the tree into pieces, then have my landscaper pick it up and plant a palm tree at the same time.

The Tordon RTU isn't used to take the tree down.

It's used AFTER you cut the tree down - to kill the root system.

Takes a while to do this - maybe a few weeks at least.

The tree will already be gone because you will cut it down with a chainsaw. GROUND LEVEL!

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by Baz

Yep. Famous last words, as they say.



You can chainsaw the existing one at ground level and spray the open-faced wood left with Tordon RTU and that will kill the rest of the tree and root system. Easiest way to do it vs stump grinding which just leaves a big mess.

Just my 2 cents....

If the neighbor is OK with it, I'd say gather a few buddies in vests with pickups, chainsaws, maybe a dump trailer? You all run out of the garage with the stihls and huskys blaring at like 9AM after some coffees some weekday, cut it down, load it in all them trucks, haul it away quick like....

Easier to apologize then ask permissions sometimes....

[KFC911]

What JB said ... I don't axe for permission ... I'd axe the tree and not even axe for forgiveness .

Gone...

My dad planted willow oaks too close to their house 4-5 decades ago.... He wasn't thinking far enough into the future .... they are now bigly .

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by KFC911

What JB said ... I don't axe for permission ... I'd axe the tree and not even axe for forgiveness .

Gone... .

The AXE drop was strong... Well played sir, well played....


An axe would be much quieter than the Huskys n Stihls I had in mind.

[KFC911]

An axe is good .... but Stihl

[A930Rocket]

Ha! I understood the Tordon removed the stump, not the tree! 😂

Originally Posted by Baz

The Tordon RTU isn't used to take the tree down.

It's used AFTER you cut the tree down - to kill the root system.

Takes a while to do this - maybe a few weeks at least.

The tree will already be gone because you will cut it down with a chainsaw. GROUND LEVEL!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Ha! I understood the Tordon removed the stump, not the tree! 😂

It doesn't remove the stump.

You have to do that by cutting the trunk off at ground level.

What this does is soak into the cambium layer and kill off everything below ground.

Spray it on the fresh opened tissue left behind after removing the tree and it soaks in.

[A930Rocket]

Maybe my verbiage isn’t clear. But I understood what you were saying.

[A930Rocket]

Neighbor is on board to take them down.

Sewer line runs in the grassed area, where the roots are.

[Crowbob]

In my experience, the anxiety and trepidation over whether or not to remove a nuisance dissipates about 30 minutes after it’s gone.