Planted this almost 3 years ago – and its gotten so large and beautiful. Im now concerned about its proximity to my house. I would be willing to trim the heavy limbs that grow over the house as she continues to grow, but Id like some feedback.
If you're going to tell me that she is in fact too close, would moving the tree be viable at this stage of its growth? The very last thing I want to do is harm or kill the tree unless truly necessary.
Let me know what you think I should do, I am willing to do anything to save my tree.
I appreciate all of your feedback!!!!
by IAmTheNorthwestWind
17 Comments
Probably. Weeping willows grow really big. You don’t want it drooping on your roof. And it surely will.
It’s pretty big, but I guess you can try to relocate. But in the end, it’s just a tree. It will feel nothing if it dies. You can plant a thousand just like it.
I don’t think so. You’ll just have to keep it trimmed so that swaying branches never touch the roof. Great midmod soffits!!
Willow roots are water seeking so they will grow into your pipes/foundation etc.
Those give good XP.
Definitely suggest dragon axe for optimal speed. GL
I’d say its too close, unless you want to trim it constantly. I’d check around for advice on moving it w/o killing it.
Beautiful tree. You could call a landscape company or arborist and ask if they have a machine tree spade. If you don’t know, a machine tree spade uses very large blades that cut into the soil to bring the tree out of the ground with a large root ball. The machine carries the tree and root ball to the new hole. They use the dirt from the new hole to fill the hole that was created when the tree was removed. The tree won’t even know it was moved! You said you would do anything LOL
Yes. It’s too close.
Willows eventually get absolutely freaking massive. And they’re prone to dropping limbs in high winds. You don’t want that lovely spreading canopy over your roof in 5 more years when a big windstorm comes along and suddenly you’ve got a claim on your homeowners insurance to replace the roof and fix the water damage from the rain that came in through that lovely new “skylight”.
Willows, cottonwoods, anything like that; if it naturally grows in a river bottom somewhere and will eventually be taller than the house, it’s not suitable anywhere near a structure. Or at least any nearer than the total mature height of the tree (which for a weeping willow can easily be 30-50 feet).
Edit: I agree with the other commenter who suggested getting an arborist with a specialized tree spade to relocate it. It won’t be real cheap, but it’s still small enough for that to be feasible.
Willows have a gigantic root structure that grows outward instead of downward. You really shouldn’t put one within 20-30’ of your foundation. The farther the better. 50’ would be best.
It might be worth renting a mini excavator to dig it out and relocate it (or even sell it, if your yard is small).
Depends , Do you have a septic field or your main sewer line in relative proximity to it ?
Yes for certain. Unless you have a huge area you should not be planting one of these
I suggest cutting down or relocating the house immediately.
They grow HUGE and fast. Speaking from experience, ours was 12 years old and taller than our house when the wind came and tried to blow it over. Due to the lean and uplifted roots we had to remove it. Better to do it now than after you grow attached to it….My now sunny yard sucks for me, but is great for my garden.
Yes, willow trees are fast-growing and have very invasive roots. I grew up in a house that had willows. They weren’t even that close to the house, but we were constantly needing to have the roots snaked out of our sewer line. That one looks like eventually it will affect your gutters and roof, too. You can probably have it moved. I think they’re fairly tough trees. If it doesn’t survive the move, at least you know you can grow a new one very quickly.
I think you’re find. The roots run deeper into the ground and don’t spread out like other trees, so your foundation will not get damaged. It’s a fast grower though. They generally only grow 4, maybe 5 large branches and I mean almost as large as the trunk. They can be pruned if you feel they are growing in the direction of your house. As for the leaves and branches, it’s messy. Again, they can be pruned.
The nice thing about a Willow is they sway in the wind so they rarely get uprooted.
I have one planted about 14 feet from my foundation. It’s 20 years old now and beautiful.
Yes. Way too close.
it’s too close to your neighbors. i’d be upset if i was the neighbor. those trees get huge
Leave this one for now & plant another 1 or 2 farther away . Deal with this one a few years from now .