Opinions on having a tree close to the house

[Anonymous]

Would love opinions on an issue that divided DH and me. We live in a very tree-rich neighborhood and have a few really big ones on our lot. One specifically, a big, tall magnolia tree, perhaps 4 stories high, sits 10 to 15 feet from the living room wall of windows. It's beautiful and some branches extend very close to the window. Right now I can see buds, and when it blooms, these white waxy flowers are right in my living room. I like it. I want to keep it.

DH, on advice of his builder friend, thinks it's a hazard and wants to remove it because it's a hazard. Says I need to think realistically and not like "but it's preeeettty".

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I'd get a tree guy to come out once a season and look at it.

Possibly trim some branches that are most at risk in falling in a random storm.

Not sure if there'd be any insurance impacts from having a tree this close, either.

[Anonymous]

An arborist will come by your house for free and look at all the trees on your lot and recommend if you need to have them removed or trimmed or whatnot. That will give you a professional opinion to break your stalemate.

[Anonymous]

If it's healthy, I don't necessarily see why you should remove it. If it's that big, it sounds like it's been there for a long time without any incidents?

The other thing that the builder doesn't seem to take into account is that if you have a huge tree very close to the house and remove it, you may disturb the soil near the house so abruptly and to such a degree that you may end up with settlement which could negatively impact the house's foundation.

How about just pruning some branches close to the house?

[Anonymous]

Wow, a 45 foot magnolia? I'm jealous!

It all depends on the type (and subtype). Some trees (oak, most tall maples) should be a minimum of 20-25 feet from the house. Some magnoalias can be closer, because their forms are generally more upright.

If it's healthy, not out of place aesthetically, and you like it, there doesn't seem to be a reason to get rid of it. But I second PPs recommendations to have an arborist take a look.

[Anonymous]

ask an arborist to look at it. beautiful mature trees usually add value ($$) to a house, so even from an economic point of view, I would get the opinion of an arborist and maybe of another builder before cutting down the tree.

[Anonymous]

I'd have to keep it unless the bastard was making my basement wet. You can't put a price on gorgeous old-growth trees.

[Anonymous]

How do you find an arborist?

[Anonymous]

Care of Trees
Bartlett

[Anonymous]

I doubt a magnolia is a threat -- they're such bottom-heavy trees, they aren't as at risk from wind as oaks are.

I'm 100% pro tree too. A neighbor chopped down a (dying) oak several years ago and I cried! But then spring came and my living room was so bright and sunny!

So.... two sides. But don't get rid of it until it's on its last tree-legs.

[Anonymous]

A tree properly positioned can block sunlight and save electricity bills during the summer.

[Anonymous]

I would be more worried about the roots of a tree that large affecting the foundation of your home.

[Anonymous]

We have a huge maple on my th lot.it needs to be trimmed and cabled as it branches apart 6 ft from the ground says the guy from Savatree. I also have a cherry tree in front that needs a lil more trimming because branches are pretty close to touching windows, The cherry tree is old but is trying to renew itself (weird bark on it i should just peel off

[Anonymous]

We have 4 large trees close to our house. I don't think I am pro or con "trees". But we do annually have them trimmed, because a layman can't tell which branches are safe or not. Although, after the storms of the past years, there were several brances pretty clear it had to go. Its not cheap to do this amount of trimming annually and I see a most neighbors don't do it.

I would advise on more than one arborist to look at trees and have a discussion on size of tree for that species. Per pp, Some specicies are not meant to get as large as they have in this area and that can cause some hidden dangers particularly in large storms or after heavy rains.

[Anonymous]

About hiring an arborist --- I don't think you mentioned where you live, but some counties have a county-employee arborist who will come out and give you advice on a tree on your property. We had a tree that seemed to be leaning into the house and so were in a similar position. Arlington County has an arborist who will come give advice on your tree, for free.