Best way to remove a tree next to home

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May 10th, 2019 10:03 pm

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May 10th, 2019 9:01 am

SomeGuyNamedBob [OP]: Deal Addict; Aug 21, 2007; 2596 posts; 1910 upvotes

May 10th, 2019 9:01 am

Best way to remove a tree next to home

Hi All,

We're concerned that the roots from the small tree planted next to our house will eventually cause foundation damage. Not sure what kind of tree it is but here is a picture:

Are we right to be concerned about damage from the roots? What would be the best way to get rid of it? Is it ok to just use a hand saw and leave a foot-long stump sticking up from the ground? Or is it best to also dig up the stump (using a shovel?)

6 replies

May 10th, 2019 9:13 am

grumble: Deal Addict; Mar 22, 2017; 1250 posts; 1302 upvotes; West GTA

May 10th, 2019 9:13 am

You are right to be concerned. Yes, just use a hand saw to cut the tree, then paint the stump with stump killer (can just use high-strength glyphosate). If you'd like, you can dig the stump down below the surface and cut it there - it'll save you having an ugly stump sticking up next to your house.

May 10th, 2019 9:20 am

koffey: Deal Guru; Oct 6, 2010; 14433 posts; 8823 upvotes; Toronto

May 10th, 2019 9:20 am

I'd chop it down and dig out the roots. Just cutting it down isn't going to prevent your future root issue which is the base of your concern. Because of the location, I would bet that to remove this would be a 2 on the DYI chart.

DYI chart:
0-joke
10-no joke

DYI difficulty scale:
0-joke
10-no joke

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

May 10th, 2019 9:46 am

Zamboni: Deal Fanatic; Oct 19, 2008; 6581 posts; 2151 upvotes; GTA

May 10th, 2019 9:46 am

If you don't own a sawsall/reciporcating saw this job justifies buying one. Get a few quotes from arborists online by providing that pic, run that by your accounting dept and then get the recip saw/pruning blade.

May 10th, 2019 8:41 pm

djeffery: Deal Addict; Dec 18, 2017; 1030 posts; 587 upvotes; London, On

May 10th, 2019 8:41 pm

If you don't take the stump out, you will still be having parts of it growing. I had a similar thing, took the sawsall to it and left a little stump, and not even 2 months later, I had new sprouts coming out of the stump. Hell, even if you do dig out the stump, there is probably other parts down there that will still keep coming up lol.

May 10th, 2019 8:48 pm

don242: Deal Fanatic; Nov 19, 2004; 8891 posts; 1832 upvotes; Cambridge, ON

May 10th, 2019 8:48 pm

Most trees won't damage your foundation. There are a few species that can cause damage, but that doesn't look like a concern.

If you still want it removed, cut it down and dig out the roots that you can reach.

May 10th, 2019 10:03 pm

Jojo_Madman: Deal Addict; Jan 28, 2007; 2278 posts; 1621 upvotes; SW Ontario

May 10th, 2019 10:03 pm

Oh heck, just get a buddy with a pickup truck to back up, wrap a chain around tight at the base and rip it out.

I've done this countless times both personally and business wise.

I'd rather be outdoors camping, kayaking, and mountain biking ...

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