How can I fix this area of my backyard to make it safe for my 3 year old? I’m planning on breaking all of this cement floor and throwing it away. Below as you can tell are overgrown tree stems. Is it safe to cut the ones heading towards the foundation of my house? And secondly, what can I do around this tree and over the stems so that my daughter can play without tripping? I’m looking for economical, but nice and convenient options. I know I can throw a pvc deck around the tree or remove the complete tree and stump all together but I can’t afford that right now. Is mulch my only option here after I remove all the broken cement? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
by valdesr11
14 Comments
This is an oak? In my unprofessional opinion, it’s way too close to the house altogether. Probably needs to go
Consult an Arborist for an opinion on the tree. Definitely remove the concrete.
Short term, yes mulch would be the cheapest option. But that tree has got to go eventually. It will wreck your foundation and possible utility damage as well.
I think you’re definitely gonna need an arborist to cut that down as soon as you can. I know people are skeptical of the arborist certification but you have better odds of them not messing up your house if they do. It can be expensive but try to save or get a loan because its likely already causing foundational issues.
Additionally, don’t cut the stems or cover it with mulch because you might end up killing it and dropping it on your house after a few years
What kind of tree is it?
That tree is way too big to be that close to your house, the toot system will definitely reach your foundation if it hasnt already
Edit: leaving it as toot
If you cut the roots the tree will die.
That tree is basically saying, “get this off of me!” After you do that, you could mulch around the roots, but keep them exposed since they are already used to the light/air. Also consult a TRAQ certified arborist for a more professional opinion and do a risk assessment if you’re worried about your foundation.
Well obviously remove the concrete, idk who thought that would be a good idea, but it isn’t. The tree probably needs to go sooner rather than later, the longer it stays the worse the damage to the foundation will be. And yes, its gonna be crazy expensive, because it’s time consuming not to drop it on your house. You should not cut the roots or too many branches on one side because you could damage and destabilize the tree and cause it to be more likely to fall. No one will remove it for you for free, and insurance will probably increase your rates or drop your coverage as soon as possible if they know its like that and you havent cut it down yet.
Your daughters ancestors adapted to tree riots. She will not hurt herself as long as the concrete is gone. Generally concrete sidewalks are a bigger threat to a three year old than tree roots in the dirt.
Take out the entire platform and build a deck with stairs leading up to a secondary higher platform surrounding the tree
Step one, remove the tree, its way too close to the house, and its going to eventually fall.
Remove the concret
Trees dont damage good foundations. Tree roots damage already damaged foundations. They dont drill into perfectly good concrete for funsies. They find a crack and push thru. Rip up the concrete. Put some mulch down or consult some landscape company’s of other alternatives that don’t damage the tree roots. You’ll be mad when the tree is gone and Your daughter is old enough to not trip anymore and your ac bill is thru the roof. Also, any photos of the canopy of that tree? Its really not that big and probably a statement tree with it being an oak. Was it good that it grew that close. No. But at this point embrace the shade. I was a climbing arborist for a decade and worked on trees much bigger and much closer to a house than this thing and those homeowners would’ve killed me if I suggested taking the tree down. Take a breathe, remove the concrete and put some mulch in. Live with it for alittle while and maybe grab some knee pads for the kid if you’re worried. Also take some bigger photos and cross post in some arborist groups.
Do you own or rent?
If you rent, just toss the concrete. If you own, cut down the tree too before it does the same thing to your houses foundation.