Golden Elm

mattwalker

Hi guys,

I have a question please regarding a Golden Elm.

The good folk over at homeone helped me determine the tree: Home Renovation & Building Forum • View topic - Name that tree

It is approximately 15-18 years old and is about 1.2 to 1.5 metres from my house.

The question is should I remove it? I like the tree as it provides shade but these trees have a very invasive root system (I think) and the foundations are showing signs of cracking.

If I remove it I would like to replace it with something tall (it is a 2 storey house) and preferably an evergreen.

Thanks in advance.

Matt

Brent Ferris

Usually if the foundations are cracking it is because of uneven settling since the foundations were built, and not so much from tree roots. Typically, if there is a crack in the wall, and a tree root is in it, the crack, water, soil came first, and the tree root followed.,

However, the tree is too close to the house, and the tree will become a considerable size, and with time the branches, and later the trunk will cause structural damage to the building. Better to remove it now than later.

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TrevMcRev

Hi Matt,

That Golden Elm is still only a baby, if left it will get a lot bigger yet.

Have a look at this thread for some good info on cracking houses & trees.

Soil subsidence and trees

mattwalker

Thanks guys,

Not really the response I wanted to hear but one that I knew was coming.



I can see myself spending more time here in teh coming months as I need to replace this and will be hitting your wealth of knowledge up for alternatives.

Cheers,

Matt