Neighbor planted future huge tree

[Anonymous]

We live on a 1/4 acre lot, and our next door neighbors planted a sapling of a huge tree (typically 70+ ft) last year. Our houses face different directions, and at full height the tree will not block any sun from their house, but will block an entire side of ours. It's also planted 20' from our foundation and water line; all research I've read about this tree indicates that it should be planted 50+ feet from houses due to how big the root structure gets and the fact that the tree (tulip poplar) is very prone to large limbs falling off.

I nicely approached them with my concerns when they planted it, and they said they were not worried. A year later it seems to be thriving and has grown quite a bit. Is there anything I can do besides wait for the tree to be mature and hope it never damages our house? We plan to live here for 15+ years so we will see it get quite big.

[Anonymous]

How long will it take to grow full height?

[Anonymous]

You sound overly dramatic. But you can dig a deep trench on your side and install an underground concrete barrier so the tree roots don't readily come into your yard

[Anonymous]

20ft is fine
Plant them at least 20 feet from any foundation or paved surface as the powerful root systems are known for causing damage.

[Anonymous]

What’s wrong with shade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How long will it take to grow full height?

The big tulip poplar in our yard that lost a big limb in a storm was 200+ years old according to the tree guy who took it down.

OP, you're 100+ years out from a problem. I'd let it go.

[Anonymous]

You did all this research on a tree?
You have to much free time, spend it working on being neighborly.

[Anonymous]

You are correct, it is a poor choice for a small yard. It grows too tall and is a huge branch and twig dropper. Tulip poplars can hit up to 20 feet tall and almost as wide in less than 10 years from seedling. Fast growth means weak wood, hence the branch dropping. Ultimately it can get to around 70-80 feet tall or more and and branching 50 feet wide. And yes, the roots will be large and visible at the surface making mowing and planting other plants around it or within 50 feet of it difficult eventually.

Some people plant them due to the pretty magnolia flower (they are actually in the magnolia family, not poplar), but you can't actually see them until they fall off the tree because the blooms are way at the top.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s wrong with shade?

Shade your own house if you like it so much.

[Anonymous]

It's called the widow-maker because of the branches.

Sabotage it now before it's too late

[Anonymous]

Tulip poplars are terrible. Our neighbor has one next to the property line and it has damaged our house so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tulip poplars are terrible. Our neighbor has one next to the property line and it has damaged our house so much.

How so?

[Anonymous]

A cup of Clorox midnight every night will solve your problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound overly dramatic. But you can dig a deep trench on your side and install an underground concrete barrier so the tree roots don't readily come into your yard

Would this work? Wouldn’t the roots just go under and up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A cup of Clorox midnight every night will solve your problem.

I was going to suggest gasoline…