I haven’t finished the front but it was so hot

[conuly]

I got some work on the side. My goodness we are overgrown with trees there. I like the shade, but some of these are right up against the house. If I can’t get them out they’ll have to go. It’s a pity, because some are some really nice specimens. We’ve got this Japanese maple… I wonder if anybody would come take it out from our porch. They could keep the tree and transplant it. I just hate to kill it.

Comments

[movingfinger]

It can be impossible to extricate intertwined root systems—I have a vine maple and madrona I wish I could separate.

If you like the maple, and the roots aren’t the issue, an open pruning to let air circulate can preserve the tree and keep it from bemossing the house… friends did that, it needs maintenance yearly or so, but it’s lacy and so pretty.

[conuly]

The roots are definitely going to be an issue. The tree is right against the house. Japanese maples aren't as root-y as other maples I'm familiar with, they don't seem to lift up sidewalks (they don't grow as tall either), but that doesn't mean they're considerate at all times, not in this tough situation.

[frandroid]

Who plants trees next to a house. Come on people. Think forward a bit!!

I was once living in a house in Vancouver, BC which had a row of tall bamboo trees by the house. The leaves were about as tall as my second story window, and I just loooooved hearing the wind rustle them.

One day we came home to find that someone had taken a few of the trees away, with a note telling us thanks, told us it was fine. I was quite upset because I loved these trees (I mean there was still a whole bunch going into the backyard, they had just taken some by the blind side of the house) but then I learned about trees and roots and houses. FINE.

[conuly]

Who plants trees next to a house. Come on people. Think forward a bit!!

Mother Nature, that's who.

[movingfinger]

She is a very enthusiastic propagating gardener!

[conuly]

But she doesn’t understand about roots.

[elayna]

Are you on a FaceBook or Next Door group of something similar where you can offer that someone could come take the tree if they'd like? We do a lot of that on my neighborhood Facebook group, many people are happy to come snag plants, bulbs, etc. It's nice to see things go to a good home and save some random stranger some money.

[conuly]

Looking it up online, it seems that moving a tree this size is an intense, yearlong process. I’m not sure it’s worth it just to maybe save it.