Why do people plant trees too close to sidewalks?

Aneeda72

Aneeda72

Well-known Member
I don’t get it. It is so hard to walk during the summer because people’s tree roots push the sidewalks. Even people who don’t use walkers can trip and fall not to mention children. Then they don’t trim the branches so those branches hit you in the face. During the winter, those raised sidewalks are a death trap.

Anyone else have these problems?
 

One of the biggest problems (I surmise) is homeowners not familiarizing and being educated as to the selected plantings they choose.

Maple trees for example are just one of many varieties of trees that produce a heavy and more often than not, invasive heavy root system that can not only disrupt public walks and such, but cause damage to foundations.

While I don't see it often, it's out there, and the key issue for homeowners is to be aware of such and trim-back overgrown branches and limbs every fall. It's the courteous thing to do.
 
They underestimate the growth potential of roots and branches. Often it isn’t the property owners who do it; city municipal landscapers. Then when people complain they play a blame game & nothing ever changes.
 

Fyrefox said:
They forget that mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Not all tree plantings are intentional, either, and homeowners need to cull plants that seed themselves before they become problems...
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True, but home owners need to be aware of where they are planting. The last house we bought, before this one stupid people planted a tree on top of the gas line. 🤦🏻‍♀️
 
When my daughter and her hubs moved into their new house in a new subdivision, Paige took the time to research every tree they wanted to plant, the growth patterns and rate, the spread not just of the branches but also of the roots, and yes, of course how they looked, whether they flowered etc. One of her neighbors is already having trouble with her tree encroaching on their porch because they had no idea how fast the tree would grow, and its spread.

I think in many cases, neighborhood sidewalks are destroyed by tree roots simply because the city or HOA or whomever worked some kind of financial deal to get a bunch of trees at a reduced cost, and now the residents are paying for it. 😣
 
We have a problem with the trees planted along our property by the town. They are all maple trees. There are roots in our grass now and its hard to cut and walk. More added trimming by hand.
A couple of years ago a few trees became diseased and are half dead. We called the town and they said it was our responsibility to have them taken down even though they planted them.
We looked into it and they want $1000.00 per tree and I'm not sure if that includes stump removal.
 
Ruth n Jersey said:
We have a problem with the trees planted along our property by the town. They are all maple trees. There are roots in our grass now and its hard to cut and walk. More added trimming by hand.
A couple of years ago a few trees became diseased and are half dead. We called the town and they said it was our responsibility to have them taken down even though they planted them.
We looked into it and they want $1000.00 per tree and I'm not sure if that includes stump removal.
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The cost you speak of Ruth, is comparable to our area, and does not included stump removal.
 
Ronni said:
When my daughter and her hubs moved into their new house in a new subdivision, Paige took the time to research every tree they wanted to plant, the growth patterns and rate, the spread not just of the branches but also of the roots, and yes, of course how they looked, whether they flowered etc. One of her neighbors is already having trouble with her tree encroaching on their porch because they had no idea how fast the tree would grow, and its spread.

I think in many cases, neighborhood sidewalks are destroyed by tree roots simply because the city or HOA or whomever worked some kind of financial deal to get a bunch of trees at a reduced cost, and now the residents are paying for it. 😣
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Our area was built in 1955 no trees planted by the city, no HOA. Just very stupid people. Your daughter is one of the smart ones. The county comes around to every house before winter and cuts trees limbs in both the front and back yards that go into electrical. If the tree is a Chinese elm, it is completely cut down. There is no charge for the service.

Yes, our wires are not underground 😂
 
Ruth n Jersey said:
We have a problem with the trees planted along our property by the town. They are all maple trees. There are roots in our grass now and its hard to cut and walk. More added trimming by hand.
A couple of years ago a few trees became diseased and are half dead. We called the town and they said it was our responsibility to have them taken down even though they planted them.
We looked into it and they want $1000.00 per tree and I'm not sure if that includes stump removal.
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Wow, only 1000.00 cost me 7000.00 to remove the tree in our yard which was over 50 feet high.
 
Aneeda72 said:
I don’t get it. It is so hard to walk during the summer because people’s tree roots push the sidewalks. Even people who don’t use walkers can trip and fall not to mention children. Then they don’t trim the branches so those branches hit you in the face. During the winter, those raised sidewalks are a death trap.

Anyone else have these problems?
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I think some people don't realize how wide or big the tree will get over the years. I have a tree near the sidewalk, but I trim the branches so people can pass by even in winter without a heavy branch with snow hitting them in the face. I do walk the dog through the neighborhood at times, and there are trees/branches that I have to walk around.
 
SeaBreeze said:
I think some people don't realize how wide or big the tree will get over the years. I have a tree near the sidewalk, but I trim the branches so people can pass by even in winter without a heavy branch with snow hitting them in the face. I do walk the dog through the neighborhood at times, and there are trees/branches that I have to walk around.
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I really hate the roots that lift the sidewalks. My walker gets stuck on them and makes it easier to have a fall. But I also hate the branches.
 
Aneeda72 said:
Wow, only 1000.00 cost me 7000.00 to remove the tree in our yard which was over 50 feet high.
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Gosh, that's an awfully high price to pay.

For a conifer in and around 100' in height (where we live), that will run a homeowner roughly $1200 - $1500, and that includes the chipping-up and removal of all material.
 
Had three huge Pine trees (70' tall +), and over 50 years old, in our backyard for years. They looked so menacing whenever a wind storm came thru and starting whipping them around. And I was amazed at the degree of bend they had in a hurricane ... didn't know trees could bend like that! .. almost to the ground. ..had very thick trunks too.
Finally got a crew (neighborhood lawn service) to take 2 of them down about 10 years ago, when lightning struck one of them. The 2nd one was a little too close to the house so it came down. The third one is still in the yard, but trimmed quite a bit.
Sold that house over 3 yrs. ago.

The cost was very reasonable. .. something like $500 - 800 per tree. (no stump removal) And they did a great job. Had originally called a top tree service in the area and I was quoted something like $3000 per tree for the same service.
 
Bonnie said:
Had three huge Pine trees (70' tall +), and over 50 years old, in our backyard for years. They looked so menacing whenever a wind storm came thru and starting whipping them around. And I was amazed at the degree of bend they had in a hurricane ... didn't know trees could bend like that! .. almost to the ground. Very thick trunks
Finally got a crew (neighborhood lawn service) to take 2 of them down about 10 years ago, when lightning struck one of them. The 2nd one was a little too close to the house so it came down. The third one is still in the yard, but trimmed quite a bit.
Sold that house over 3 yrs. ago.

The cost was very reasonable. .. something like $500 - 800 per tree. (no stump removal) And they did a great job. Had originally called a top tree service in the area and I was quoted something like $3000 per tree for the same service.
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Very reasonable indeed.
 
One of our granddaughters moved into 100 yr.old home last year, and they are in the process of renovating it. There were 2 massive Gum trees in the front yard which had really messed up the sidewalks. They had a tree service knock them down, and we all got together and cut them up....we hauled ton's of firewood over to my place for firewood. The grandson then proceeded to break up the old sidewalk, and replaced it. Between the cost of taking down those trees, and having the old sidewalk concrete hauled off, and the cost of getting new sidewalks, they probably spent thousands of dollars to undo what someone planted 100+ years ago.
 
Don M. said:
One of our granddaughters moved into 100 yr.old home last year, and they are in the process of renovating it. There were 2 massive Gum trees in the front yard which had really messed up the sidewalks. They had a tree service knock them down, and we all got together and cut them up....we hauled ton's of firewood over to my place for firewood. The grandson then proceeded to break up the old sidewalk, and replaced it. Between the cost of taking down those trees, and having the old sidewalk concrete hauled off, and the cost of getting new sidewalks, they probably spent thousands of dollars to undo what someone planted 100+ years ago.
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If I were in the market for a home and root damage was apparent in addition to dangerously tall trees posing a risk of coming down onto the home, I would figure that into "conditions of sale".

That would be up to the current homeowner to deal with and pay for, prior to the closing of the deal.
 
Aunt Marg said:
Had we been in your shoes, we wouldn't have been able to afford such a bill.
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Well, we had just sold our previous house and sold two cars, put it all in the bank so I HAD some savings. It’s all gone now Into this money pit of a stupid house.
 
Aunt Marg said:
If I were in the market for a home and root damage was apparent in addition to dangerously tall trees posing a risk of coming down onto the home, I would figure that into "conditions of sale". That would be up to the current homeowner to deal with and pay for, prior to the closing of the deal.
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Yeah, that would be my take, also. However, the kids got this old house for a "song", and it will require a lot of work to bring it up to modern standards....but the price they paid gives them a lot of room to pay for fixing it up. It's basically quite solid....nowhere as dilapidated as another poster on this forum has described her place....so by the time they get it all remodeled, they will have a nice "antique" house, at a fair price.
 
Aunt Marg said:
If I were in the market for a home and root damage was apparent in addition to dangerously tall trees posing a risk of coming down onto the home, I would figure that into "conditions of sale".

That would be up to the current homeowner to deal with and pay for, prior to the closing of the deal.
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The inspector said the roof was good for ten years. He was wrong. But @Aunt Marg I wasn’t buying the house husband was. He was going to buy it rather I agreed or not. By agreeing,
putting my name on the mortgage if he dies before me I get to sell the house and at least get some money back unless the you know what hits the fan and prices drop.
 

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