General Discussion

no_hypocrisy

(52,361 posts)

51. My childhood home had a ginormous oak tree maybe 10 feet away from the house.

Reply to electric_blue68 (Original post)

Fri Jul 18, 2025, 08:20 AM

Jul 18

It was very very tall, likely more than 100 years old.

Acorns everywhere and lots of leaves to rake.

I loved it. Loved it until a big wind storm blew off big branches that piled up more than six feet next to the house. And I got the fear of God that if the tree lost its roots and toppled either into the house or across the street, it would be a nightmare.

I got estimates to cut down the tree, starting at $900. Homeowners insurance wouldn't cover the expense.

I sold the house (with the tree) before I had to make that decision. It would have been painful emotionally and financially if I had gone through with cutting it down.

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Mossfern

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Highlight:

Home (as in single, double) Owers; a question. How do you feel about Tall Trees... [View all] electric_blue68 Jul 17 OP

I love trees but you need to maintain them, especially tall ones. CrispyQ Jul 17 #1

Ty. Heh, why didn't I think about the maintenance aspect..🤔 .on apt blocks the city does that electric_blue68 Jul 17 #4

Our city planted trees in an area between my property & sidewalk but the maintenance is our responsibility. CrispyQ Jul 17 #20

My parents hired someone to top a 150 ft Fir tree in their backyard. haele Jul 17 #24

Four years ago our new neighbor cut down a lovely tall locust tree that provide privacy between our yards & shade. CrispyQ Jul 17 #27

like any thing in/around your house... ret5hd Jul 17 #2

Ty (see my reply above) electric_blue68 Jul 17 #5

I love my trees! SheltieLover Jul 17 #3

Ty electric_blue68 Jul 17 #6

Here in the United States of Extortion, there were a few news stories SheltieLover Jul 17 #7

Oh, sh-t! Terrible! electric_blue68 Jul 17 #9

Yes!!! SheltieLover Jul 17 #11

We lost a tree after we moved into our house (some 30 years ago). My husband planted a tree in its place and today CTyankee Jul 17 #8

Oh, Not Weird to me at all! What kind? I can identify some. electric_blue68 Jul 17 #10

Wonderful! SheltieLover Jul 17 #12

While I live in the country I can tell you this, the ammount of money you can save on utility bills wipes out the risk Cheezoholic Jul 17 #13

Some interesting stuff 👍 Healthy vs diseased trees as someone else mentioned...Soil drainage!... electric_blue68 Jul 17 #19

If it's a shallow root tree like pine trees cut it down Blue Full Moon Jul 17 #14

I love Rebl2 Jul 17 #15

Sorry about youw Willow tree. They're so pretty! electric_blue68 Jul 17 #21

I live in the forest, hard to get away from them...LOL FirstLight Jul 17 #16

Forest does equal - Trees! 😉 I'm sure the big trees are glorious! I love them from saplings on up.... electric_blue68 Jul 17 #22

It's a debate I have with my spouse all the time. Ms. Toad Jul 17 #17

That's not that much A/C at all. Good you have insurance. Enjoy your trees! electric_blue68 Jul 17 #23

Talk to an arborist about "crown reduction" to limit growth and keep trees balanced. eppur_se_muova Jul 17 #18

I have mixed feelings whopis01 Jul 17 #25

Woah, that's some storm experience! Makes sense you'd be leery of close by trees!. electric_blue68 Jul 17 #32

Yes and more important? JustAnotherGen Jul 17 #26

The only answer is to have large trees evaluated by an arborist. MineralMan Jul 17 #28

Here in SW Florida markodochartaigh Jul 17 #29

Woah, losing all those pines. Didn't know they were so short lived... electric_blue68 Jul 17 #33

our house in Florida was surrounded by very large live oak trees HappyH Jul 17 #30

when we 1st bought our house, the neighbor introduced herself, then said- u know that tree's a menace. mopinko Jul 17 #31

Sorry you lost your silver maple. I like the idea of having the stump turned into a planter. electric_blue68 Jul 17 #34

Our house came with a California Live Oak that gets "older" every time some new expert looks at it Hekate Jul 17 #35

Woah, nearly a ton for a tree limb!! Good luck to you, and your Live Oak! electric_blue68 Jul 17 #36

We lost a tall tree at a house that we rent out. tinrobot Jul 17 #37

Phew! Understandable to take them down when diseased and unfixable electric_blue68 Jul 17 #39

We've Got 7 ProfessorGAC Jul 17 #38

There are a couple of mulberry trees in two different areas, neighborhoods I've walked through. Lots of berries on the electric_blue68 Jul 17 #41

We Make Mulberry Jam ProfessorGAC Jul 17 #43

Oh, no...No tomatoes! Container plants with cherry tomatoes, maybe? electric_blue68 Jul 17 #45

Couldn't Even Make Cherry Tomatoes Work ProfessorGAC Jul 17 #46

It has to be the right tree in the right place, but if you have room for it go for it. meadowlander Jul 17 #40

Depends on the kind of trees and the placement of them on the lot. llmart Jul 17 #42

"Hence the name NORWAY.". Indded! 😄 .... electric_blue68 Jul 17 #44

Funny! llmart Jul 17 #47

Ah...samaras! 4 Kraft Bags full?!! 😄 electric_blue68 Jul 17 #48

I must have been really tired last night... llmart Jul 18 #50

No problem electric_blue68 Jul 18 #56

We moved into our house about 35 years ago Mossfern Jul 17 #49

My childhood home had a ginormous oak tree maybe 10 feet away from the house. no_hypocrisy Jul 18 #51

wait for the future! lapfog_1 Jul 18 #52

Not a fan of large trees on home properties. I'm in GA, trees fall all the time tulipsandroses Jul 18 #53

Depends on the kinds of trees, their location, and how healthy they are. Ocelot II Jul 18 #54

Anyone read any headlines out of Nantucket recently? DFW Jul 18 #55