Tree Trimming & Root Barrier Installation (Houston, Live Oak: house, tile, wages)

[dadsearchingforahouse]

I have 2 boston oaks (?) at about 4 ft distance from the foundation - and the wife doesnt want them cut down - I was planning to get a root barrier installed. Anyone has any experience with these ? I could use some recommendations.

I also need some trees trimmed but the people who come by with an estimate are all over the place. What kind of pricing should I be looking at for trimming four oaks and a couple of palm trees?

thanks,

[Mustang1]

$125 per each oak tree if you want a serious trimming

[behtypa]

Originally Posted by dadsearchingforahouse

I have 2 boston oaks (?) at about 4 ft distance from the foundation - and the wife doesnt want them cut down - I was planning to get a root barrier installed. Anyone has any experience with these ? I could use some recommendations.

I also need some trees trimmed but the people who come by with an estimate are all over the place. What kind of pricing should I be looking at for trimming four oaks and a couple of palm trees?

thanks,

What are your quotes so far on root barrier?

Where so they sell barrier sheets? I can't find them at HD or Lowes. Amazon however sells them for $120 and up. I guess, hiring 1-2 Mexicans to install it can resolve the issue.

$100-300 - materials
$100 for 8-10 hours work
=
$200-500

I guess the companies would charge 2-3 times as much?

[CaroleF]

The house I lived in 20 years ago in Houston had them for a live oak in the front yard. Before we sold, we discovered that the slab was cracked. It was repaired. The house now looks like it is caving in on itself. I guess in Houston there are lot of reasons why slabs crack. But you might still want to do some checking to see how effective root barriers are. I am not sure ours was.

[dadsearchingforahouse]

Correction: The trees are Bradford Pears (fruitless variety) - I checked out some websites to see if I could get an expert opinion - none so far. I want the trees cut out, stump ground and mulch over it but wife is a tree hugger... so its that v/s heavy thanks giving shopping allowance - lets see where that pans out to.

[HookTheBrotherUp]

Originally Posted by behtypa

What are your quotes so far on root barrier?

Where so they sell barrier sheets? I can't find them at HD or Lowes. Amazon however sells them for $120 and up. I guess, hiring 1-2 Mexicans to install it can resolve the issue.

$100-300 - materials
$100 for 8-10 hours work
=
$200-500

I guess the companies would charge 2-3 times as much?

I think Indians are used to lower wages than even Mexicans, maybe you can hire 5 Indians instead for the same low price?

[crone]

Pear trees do not live very long and are prone to blight. You might as well take them out and put in something more indigenous, in a place where they will not be a problem.

[carrierbill]

I live in Houston, have a 20 yr. old, 54" dia, Live Oak, front yard, 20 ' from the house slab & 10' from the sidewalk. Also have top roots that mowing is equivalent going over a wash board. Root barrier or remove & plant another tree.

[NTT]

Originally Posted by dadsearchingforahouse

I want the trees cut out, stump ground and mulch over it but wife is a tree hugger...

Wait until you're beginning to have sewage back-up caused by root blocking inside the sewage line, your wife won't be hugging trees as much. It just happened to me this past week. What a mess to clean. Fortunately, I have tile floors which made cleaning, sanitizing/disinfecting a bit easier. Nevertheless, I still love my 3 Live oaks .

The plumber gave me a good tip. Once a month dump 1/4 to 1/3 container of salt such as Morton table salt, into the main toilet (the one closest to the main sewage line). Do so before going to bed. Then, flush it a couple of times and avoid using water/toilet overnight. The salt will kill the young roots. He stressed not to use this treatment too often because it can cause corrosion on galvanized pipe.