Hey everyone! I could really use some outside opinions on this big cottonwood tree in my newly purchased home’s backyard (photos attached).
It’s a beautiful shade tree and definitely adds character, but I can’t stand the roots. You can see in one of the photos where they’ve already surfaced and left uneven spots all over the lawn.
Part of me feels guilty even considering removing it because I love trees, and it’s clearly been here for a long time. It also gives great shade in the summer. But at the same time, it’s messy, the roots are spreading everywhere, and I’m not sure it’s worth the hassle long term.
I’m also thinking of removing this other small tree or bush (last photo) since I’m not even sure what it is, and then planting a different tree in the backyard instead.
If this were your yard, would you keep it or remove it?
Convince me either way.
by SummerVulpes
16 Comments
Cutting down the tree won’t make that extensive root system just disappear. It’ll start to decay, sure, but you’ll still have a very big undertaking or a long wait time if your real goal is to even your yard. At that, I don’t think you can guarantee the next tree you put in replacement won’t develop extensive surface roots
I really don’t mean this to be rude, but it completely boggles my mind that someone would consider cutting down a healthy, mature, beautiful shade tree because of some incredibly minor inconvenience caused by surface roots? And what inconvenience do they cause exactly?! I think it’s incredibly short sighted to consider removing this tree for the minor benefit of essentially having a very slightly better lawn.
I’d say keep it. A mature tree like that is worth the mess and struggle in my opinion. Maybe plant an oak if it’s native in your area and by the time that one is bigger you can cut down the cottonwood. Either way I’d give this decision some time because if you do cut it down, you really don’t want to regret it. Also, like the other comments say, just because you get rid of the tree doesn’t mean the stump and roots disappear. I have one mature tree on my property that’s dying and when it finally has to come down my yard is going to feel naked (in a bad way), so I planted some more in hopes that they will be somewhat tall by the time my 80ish year old oak comes down.
OP I would kill for a tree like that.
I don’t think there’s any way I can even begin to understand your reasoning here. There’s nothing you’re going to do in your lifetime that will offer you the beauty or function of this tree. every plant and tree is a trade off of different things — so you may even go through all of this to realize the grass was greener.
as far as your bush, I would simply ID it and figure out what it is first?
My new neighbors moved in during the fall and cut down 9 trees in their yard. It was tragic. Beautiful and mature shade trees. Now they have hideous canopies all over their porch and property to provide 1/8 the shade those trees did. Keep the tree, plant another, wait a couple years and see how you feel then. I suspect if you like to go out in summer at all, you’ll be thankful for the shade every time.
I’ve done tree work quotes for years and “I love trees” is one of the most common things people say, repeatedly, before pointing out which perfectly healthy viable trees on their property they would like removed. It’s like some kind of attempt at a self-absolution prayer or something. If you love trees then don’t cut this one down for these superfluous reasons.
“It’s messy” is another refrain I hear a lot. You, your partner, your children, none of you can handle a rake and a yard waste bag now and again? It has roots, yes, put a mulch ring around the trunk to make it more visually appealing and to help the health of the tree. It’s outdoors, it isn’t supposed to look or feel like indoors, that’s the appeal of it.
The benefits of this tree are beyond quantifiable. Any tree you plant will take decades to reach this size.
Do NOT remove the tree.
DO NOT
Do you really need all that grass? It would help the tree, look good and reduce your grass maintenance if you just added a large mulch ring around the base of the tree. Put cardboard done first and soak it, to kill the underlying grass.
Before you do anything, aerate the lawn now and then again in the spring. I bought a place with a bumpy lawn and aeration made a real difference.
Don’t know how your house is oriented or how intense the sun is, but shade helps my back lawn from getting scalded by the heat. Also, I host back yard BBQs because my yard has sun protection due to the shade tree. I consider it one of my most valuable assets to my home.
Do not the tree
So my wife and I just bought a house and added on. The only thing I do not like about it is there are no mature trees in the backyard. The place we moved from had two huge oak trees. I wished I could have a tree like that instantly….
I have 3 approx 60 ft cottonwoods in my front yard. They shed branches, and the seeds are…the seeds. But they keep my house cool in the Wyoming sun, and are beautiful. Who gives af about the roots showing. I cannot comprehend this post.
I wonder how thick the roots are and if you can dig around them to bury them deeper. It’s a beautiful tree but only you experience the inconvenience
Cant you get a couple of bulk bags of topsoil,grade it around the roots and sow it?
Tear up the lawn… full stop.
If you must have a lawn, then, have a lot more dirt trucked in, then put new sod on top of that. Now the roots are buried.
I am not sure if this is bad for the tree. Others here would likely be better to ask.
Took out a cottonwood that was much like this one because the first drop in the spring was snake like looking things, then came sticky things, small oval yellow cling-ons. The tree was just outside the fence along the one lane road at the rear of the property. The roots are indeed no joke; roots had surfaced the road bed.