When Is It Time to Have a Tree Removed?
Removing a tree may be a difficult decision for some, as trees offer shade and beauty to a property, and they are very good for the environment. However, in some cases it may be better for your property to have a tree removed altogether. If you're not sure of when it's time to remove a tree from your yard, note a few indications to consider.
1. If it's interfering with proper drainage
Tree roots hold moisture under the ground and help to avoid soil erosion, so they can be good for a lawn or garden. However, in some cases they may also be holding so much water so close to your home that this adds water pressure around the foundation. This may cause water leaks. If the soil of your property is already very moist, this too can mean poor drainage off your property. You may want to have the tree removed and replaced with one that doesn't have such deep roots or have it moved to another area of the property.
2. When the roots interfere with plumbing pipes or underground cables
Cutting roots that wrap themselves around plumbing pipes or underground cables will give you only a temporary solution to the problem as the roots will grow again very quickly. It may be more expensive to try to reroute plumbing pipes or redirect underground cables than it is to have the tree removed, and if your property is very small, you may not be able to relocate the buried pipes and cables so that they're out of the way of tree roots. You may need to simply have the tree removed to protect pipes and cables.
3. When the foliage blocks too much light
Trees with thick foliage may block sunlight to the garden or lawn or even over your home. You may want more direct light on your property, but if you don't remove the tree, this can mean tree lopping to thin out branches every year. Instead, have the tree removed and consider replacing it with something that doesn't have such dense foliage. Some varieties of trees may also grow straighter rather than having very wide branches; look into planting evergreens or weeping willows on your property so that you don't have the problem of very dense foliage blocking out needed sunlight. Shorter trees used for landscaping such as Japanese maple can also mean visual interest without large branches.