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General Forestry => Ask The Forester => Topic started by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on February 20, 2013, 02:44:00 PM

Title: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on February 20, 2013, 02:44:00 PM
I hate to kill a seedling when it comes up. This is a pic of a Willow Oak that came up on it's own some years ago.
We sure have enjoyed it but now it's time to make a decision.

This tree is 11 feet from our house. Is the root system gonna do damage to my foundation somewhere down the road? It may not in my life time at 56 but I don't want my son to have to go through anything, I can "nip in the bud".

Thanks ya'll.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/24625/IMG_0485.JPG) 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/24625/IMG_0486.JPG)
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: clww on February 20, 2013, 03:06:36 PM
Judging from past experience removing BIG willow oaks in several back yards, eventually it will cause problems this close to the house. The last one I did was 20 feet from the back door of a house. This was the biggest tree that I've ever removed, overall. It was responsible for slab foundation shift, sticky doors throughout the house, fencing off-kilter, and an oil tank pushed up due to the root system. The tree was 57" DBH, 26" at 85 feet above the ground, and 140 feet tall. Since it was over 125 years old, it had taken years to do this damage.
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: thecfarm on February 20, 2013, 03:18:48 PM
Do all willow oak grow roots on top of the ground? I'd cut it down just for that reason. I have enough trimming to do. Going to dig out the stump too?
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on February 20, 2013, 03:31:12 PM
I probably should take it out before it gets to big. I've kept the limbs trimmed. I'll probably leave the stump and just put something on it to kill the root system.
I should have pulled it up when I first saw it, some time back.....B U T......I didn't.
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: mesquite buckeye on February 20, 2013, 03:35:57 PM
You could always wait until it is big enough for a little lumber, say 18-20" ;D 8) 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: Ianab on February 20, 2013, 03:49:21 PM
That close to the house I'd be taking it out about now while it's still an easy job.

I mean I LIKE trees, in the right place. Down the other end of the garden with plenty of space, great, but not beside the house.

Ian
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: thecfarm on February 20, 2013, 03:52:54 PM
I'm clearing a grown up pasture. I have a few aspen stumps. I cut them kinda high and cut a bowl with my chainsaw into the stump. I keep that full of salt and water. That kills them stumps.But the real reason is,seem like I cut one aspen and 100 will come up. I have no more than 10 I am doing this too.
I agree with Ianab,I don't like them that close to the house.
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on February 20, 2013, 03:57:03 PM
Quote from: Ianab on February 20, 2013, 03:49:21 PM
That close to the house I'd be taking it out about now while it's still an easy job.

I mean I LIKE trees, in the right place. Down the other end of the garden with plenty of space, great, but not beside the house.

Ian

You win.  :D :D :D
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: Sprucegum on February 20, 2013, 04:14:07 PM
You want to cut it off about 10 feet up. Then pull the tall stump out and replant it upside down. The diasporant(a WDH word) root pattern will give your guests something to talk about.
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: thecfarm on February 20, 2013, 04:16:15 PM
I saw that done by a green house business. They power washed the roots. Took me a second to realize what I was looking at.
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: mesquite buckeye on February 20, 2013, 04:17:17 PM
Quote from: POSTONLT40HD on February 20, 2013, 03:57:03 PM
Quote from: Ianab on February 20, 2013, 03:49:21 PM
That close to the house I'd be taking it out about now while it's still an easy job.

I mean I LIKE trees, in the right place. Down the other end of the garden with plenty of space, great, but not beside the house.

Ian


You win.  :D :D :D


But you will lose the shade from the branches that fall on the roof then??!!!!! 8) 8)
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on February 20, 2013, 04:57:58 PM
........................................................DONE............................................................

Alright now......don't never say I didn't listen to ya'll.  :D :D :D My wife will probably kick my Bass when she gets home.  :o :o :o :o :o I can here her now....."WHO TOLD YOU TO CUT THAT TREE DOWN?".......uh.....uh.....uh...."A guy from New Zealand?"  ;D



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/24625/IMG_0487.JPG) 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/24625/IMG_0494.JPG) 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/24625/IMG_0491.JPG) 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/24625/IMG_0492.JPG)
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: mesquite buckeye on February 20, 2013, 05:01:24 PM
Quote from: POSTONLT40HD on February 20, 2013, 04:57:58 PM
........................................................DONE............................................................

Alright now......don't never say I didn't listen to ya'll.  :D :D :D My wife will probably kick my Bass when she gets home.  :o :o :o :o :o



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/24625/IMG_0487.JPG) 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/24625/IMG_0494.JPG) 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/24625/IMG_0491.JPG) 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/24625/IMG_0492.JPG)

That's what you git. :D
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: thecfarm on February 20, 2013, 05:03:54 PM
You know Poston,I kinda like that tree there now. It really opens the view up alot. I would not like that.   ;D
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on February 20, 2013, 05:20:34 PM
I just didn't want to mess the house foundation up down the road.

And you're right Buck-eye...that's what I get.  :D
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: clww on February 20, 2013, 05:26:09 PM
A fast-growing tree according to those rings.
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on February 20, 2013, 05:29:39 PM
Chief...it was growing right at the end of the underground pipe that carries the washing machine water.
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: beenthere on February 20, 2013, 06:27:25 PM
Quoteunderground pipe that carries the washing machine water.

So it was being fed sawdust from your pockets.... no wonder!!
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on February 20, 2013, 06:46:40 PM
Quote from: beenthere on February 20, 2013, 06:27:25 PM
Quoteunderground pipe that carries the washing machine water.

So it was being fed sawdust from your pockets.... no wonder!!

That's pretty good thinking......never thought of that.....but true.  smiley_thumbsup
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: giant splinter on February 20, 2013, 07:00:38 PM
I always push one like that over and then size it up, looks like it fell over that way and you don't get in trouble so much.
Do it on a day when the wind is blowing and it works even better.
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: Slab Slicer on February 20, 2013, 07:23:47 PM
Taking it down was the right idea for sure. If the roots didn't become an issue, those branches hangng near the roof would be. Growing that close to the roof, they would hold moisture on the roof, and cause it to rot. Make sure you tell the wife that story also. You need all the defense you can get.  :D :D
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on February 20, 2013, 07:25:15 PM
Chuck, let me give you her cell phone number.  :D :D :D
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: Slab Slicer on February 20, 2013, 07:37:46 PM
I had some experience talking Deb into cutting some trees. I hope it helps me when talking to her.  :D

Replant a nice dogwood for her. It won't get real big, and shouldn't cause an issue. Sloooooow growing also.  ;)
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: WDH on February 20, 2013, 10:06:01 PM
OH NO!

I would have voted for clemency  :).

Quote from: Sprucegum on February 20, 2013, 04:14:07 PM
diasporant

Sprucegum.

I had to look that one up  :D.
Title: Re: Need a little advice, please.
Post by: thecfarm on February 21, 2013, 11:09:56 AM
I wonder if Poston has a black eye,maybe 2 even   ;D  or is he sawing out a dog house about now.  :D