Trees close to house (irrigation, landscaping, grow, concrete)
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I have a home under contract and am concerned that trees are too close to the house. They're planted a few feet away from a walkout basement. I suspect they were planted for shade, as this side of the house faces west and the trees are in front of windows. The home inspector noted that they are too close to the house, but only recommended trimming the branches. No issues were noted with the foundation, but the basement is finished, so it could be difficult to tell if there are issues.
Any chance these trees are a type that won't cause potential issues with the foundation? I'll try to attach some pictures in case anyone has insight into the varietal. I'm waiting to hear back from an arborist who we may get to do an assessment.
Trees look like birches. I would check with a local nursery with regard to how invasive roots of birches can get (your arborist should be able to tell you as well). If they only go down and don't spread sideways, it might not be a structural issue down the road.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Homeowners often see a tre they like and go buy some to plant without thinking of the future consequences. I would have an arborist come and look at them. I cannot tell the variety from the pictures, but some are much worse than others for undermining foundations or getting into sewer pipes. Some, like flowering cherry and Aspen will send roots under the foundation and come up in the crawl space and grow new trees in there using light from the vents. A regular home inspector is not qualified to help with this other than what he did already, trimming to keep the tree from hitting the house.
They are birches and very beautiful. I would ask a tree professional. However, and this was a surprise to me, birch roots are invasive. "To double in area every year and build the underground web [of roots] to support rapid top growth, roots have to grow fast. Substantial white birch roots fill the area around the tree and probe cracks in barriers, including concrete. The tree’s aggressive roots seek water, prying open cracks or joints in sewer or irrigation systems. Birch roots, along with willow and poplar, are among the most aggressive -- and destructive -- tree roots." But, do not cut them down without more information. The roots might grow away from the house due to a pH preference (acidity).
Canuck,
Since it is under contract, you can tell the owners to have them
cut down for you.
Just a thought, they might.
I wouldn't want ANY tree that close to my home, invasive or not.
A strong wind storm and you never know, you could loose some
windows.
If they are river birch, and that is what I thought as soon as I saw them,
get the chain saw started, and cut them down right after settlement.
River birch, what does that tell you about the tree?
Oh, congrats on your new home, I hope you have many happy
years there.
It also appears that the previous owner allowed these to grow into a double leader structure, which is not the strongest shape for a tree like birch. The trees would be easier to get rid of now rather than ten years from now. By the way, I am very much a do-it-yourselfer but I would hire a professional because trees can be unpredictable when felled by an inexperienced cutter.
Congratulations on such a pretty new home!
The trees look like River Birches. You may want to consider having them cut down as soon as possible; potentially as part of the contract stipulations. They will grow rapidly, have an expansive root system and drop their leaves in fall and their "blooms" in spring.
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