Should I remove trees from my yard?

[Anonymous]

We just moved into a new house in MoCo this winter and it has some very large trees in the backyard. Two of them could easily hit the house if they were to fall (and one is leaning towards it), and together they block out a lot of sun making the yard difficult to grow grass. Personally, between the peace of mind of not having trees that will fall over on the house and the added bonus of helping my yard, I would love to cut them down. There are other trees in our yard and the neighbors yard, so it's not like these are the only two trees around.

Is there anything else I should be considering?

[Anonymous]

Cost - they easily could be 5-10,000 each to remove.

[Anonymous]

I got an estimate of $3,000 for both.

[Anonymous]

Do it. My autumn was so much nicer with only half the leaves to rake up! And grass can grow now!!

[Anonymous]

Do it - and if you miss them, you can always put some smaller ones back in - where you want them!

[Anonymous]

Good point about the leaves, totally forgot about that.

[Anonymous]

Don't do it. The entire point of established neighborhoods is that they have old-growth trees. You are reducing the value of your house and neighborhood if you cut them down. An arborist can thin and ensure they are safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't do it. The entire point of established neighborhoods is that they have old-growth trees. You are reducing the value of your house and neighborhood if you cut them down. An arborist can thin and ensure they are safe.

Is this in some way quantifiable? Wouldn't people prefer a healthy green lawn to some trees and grass that will never been lush? Like I said, plenty of other trees around, even in my yard.

[Anonymous]

If you got a quote that low -- do it now. Run, do not walk. Get them out.

[Anonymous]

You got a good quote. Do it.
We took out the huge trees leaning too close to the house. It felt like a shame but they should never have been planted on such a small lot.

[Anonymous]

Why are people in this area afraid of trees? You know you sound irrationally crazy and paranoid, right?

[Anonymous]

Has an arborist checked them out? That would be my first question. You may be worrying for nothing. Also, see how you feel with several months with the trees. Spring/summer may change your mind.

[Anonymous]

To the PP- I grew up practically in a forest in another part of the country and thought the same as you when I first moved here, why are people so afraid of trees? But now that I've been here for awhile and seen and heard of a LOT of trees hitting houses, cars, etc. occasionally killing people and causing massive damage to homes and cars, I get it. In the older neighborhoods where people worry about this, the trees are old and huge and because the lots are small and the houses close together, the trees are of necessity close to people and things they can harm. So if a tree in one of these areas falls, it's almost certain to cause harm.

OP, you sound like you want to get rid of some but not all of e trees. If that will help you sleep better and enjoy your yard, do it. I love big old trees but sometimes they do have to go. Make sure the tree service is insured.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Why are people in this area afraid of trees? You know you sound irrationally crazy and paranoid, right?

Have you seen the damage caused by sudden storms?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't do it. The entire point of established neighborhoods is that they have old-growth trees. You are reducing the value of your house and neighborhood if you cut them down. An arborist can thin and ensure they are safe.

Is this in some way quantifiable? Wouldn't people prefer a healthy green lawn to some trees and grass that will never been lush? Like I said, plenty of other trees around, even in my yard.

Personally, if I bought in an established neighborhood I would take the trees over grass.