Lowes Island/Cascades Tree Removal (HOA, houses, to buy)

[virginia_twins]

Hi everyone,

My family is looking to buy a house in Lowes Island (Cascades). There is one house we are really interested in but there is an issue with a few trees in the back yard. The roots are above ground and, as a result, half of the small back yard is unusable (no grass able to grow, roots very high). The roots are also threatening the deck, the driveway, and the neighbor's fence. We have little children and one of our main requirements is a useable yard.

Does anyone live in Cascades and know whether the HOA would even consider letting us remove these trees? Or should we just forget about this house?

Thanks!

[Caladium]

Is the tree on your yard or HOA property?

I live there. If the tree is on your property all you have to do is get approval from the neighbors next door. If it's an HOA tree, we've requested having two trees removed from the community property and the HOA took care of it. Both times they sent the arborist out first and he agreed that there was a good reason to remove the trees. I can't guarantee would happen in your circumstance, but you could ask. They might not agree, since it sounds like a matter of yard usability and not a matter of imminent property damage (which was the concern in our case). Since there's no guarantee, if the purchase of the house depends on this situation, it might be smarter to look at another house.

Have you considered Ashburn? It's much easier to find large lots without trees or with very small trees there. People move to Lowes Island because of the trees; it seems a shame to move to a place known for its trees if you don't want trees in your yard,

[virginia_twins]

Thanks for the response! The trees are on the property, not in HOA property and it's good to know that it just requires neighbors approval. We do love trees (and want to keep all of the other trees that are on the property) but these particular trees are ruining the yard. We looked all through the other houses on the street and everyone else's trees are in good condition and not causing these problems. Just this one house. We love Lowes Island and all of its beautiful trees.

[Denton56]

Caladium, where is our Normie? I haven't seen her around lately and I miss her.