I have a tree that looks like it could fall on my house

[kalrith]

We had an ice storm on Monday morning, and the ice didn't melt until yesterday. One of my trees that wasn't in the greatest shape to begin with is now in awful shape. The weight of the ice started to uproot it, and the only thing that kept it from coming all the way down was that it was leaning on my house. Now that the ice has melted, the tree's branches have sprung back up a bit, but it's still partially uprooted and leaning ominously over the front of the house.

• Pics with ice: 1 2 3
  Pics after melting: 1 2 3 4 5

Please forgive the picture quality. They were taken with my camcorder, because I still can't find my digital camera (after about 6 months). I would love suggestions on how to get this tree upright again. At least then, the imminent danger would be gone, and it would be easier to chop it down or have it trimmed.

Thanks!

 

[feralkid]

That tree is ugly and wants to die.

 

[rivan]

That tree's small enough that the absolute worst it'll do is damage your gutter. Get a small chainsaw, start with the smallest limbs and cut it up.

If you're dead set on trying to move it around before cutting it up, expect the unexpected; roots will make it difficult to move in almost any direction *except* back the way it came, and that'll be a challenge in itself.

 

[FoBoT]

it has to go
whether you do it yourself or hire it out, cut it down
either leave or remove the stump, your call, but chop it down ASAP

 

[Capt Caveman]

Even if you upright it, you'll have to use tie downs to keep it upright for a long time.

 

[Chryso]

It appears to have pushed most of your fence down into the ground. There are only a few inches left showing.

 

[waffleironhead]

Tree not worth saving.

Just pick up a pole saw. they extend to about 12 feet. You should be able to trim off the top branches easily and safely. then just cut the tree off at the base. It looks to me that there is root damage and the tree will be likely to do this again in the future.

 

[lozina]

man i was thinking you had some real tree, that thing is a shrub!

you should see this monster tree in my backyard on a hill sloped towards my house. if that thing goes it will truly crush my house. its like the east coast's version of a giant sequoia

 

[TheTony]

If you're willing to salvage the tree, I'd start by trimming it. With it leaning, you can probably get at a lot more of the branches now.

To get it to move upright, I'd probably use a ratchet strap wound around the trunk of the tree and then anchored to a stake in the ground. Tighten the strap once or twice a week and slowly force the tree back upright.

I'm no arborist, though. Just my $0.02.

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: feralkid
That tree is ugly and wants to die.

It was actually a very nice-looking tree in its prime and in bloom. However, after ice storms two years in a row, I agree that it's time to come down. Thanks for the help, BTW .

Originally posted by: rivan
That tree's small enough that the absolute worst it'll do is damage your gutter. Get a small chainsaw, start with the smallest limbs and cut it up.

If you're dead set on trying to move it around before cutting it up, expect the unexpected; roots will make it difficult to move in almost any direction *except* back the way it came, and that'll be a challenge in itself.

I think those cuts are good advice. I do have a chainsaw, and the tree is leaning over enough that I should be able to manage most/all of those.

I was worried about what would happen if I tried to upright the tree with no trimming. I didn't know if the force required to upright it would make it fall the other way.

With tomorrow being Saturday, I should manage to get the trimming done.

Thanks guys!

 

[TheTony]

Originally posted by: kalrith
I think those cuts are good advice. I do have a chainsaw, and the tree is leaning over enough that I should be able to manage most/all of those.

I was worried about what would happen if I tried to upright the tree with no trimming. I didn't know if the force required to upright it would make it fall the other way.

Yeah, if you're trying for a quick fix, you may as well just begin cutting. Moving it back the way it came is probably going to do more damage than it's worth if you try to do so quickly.

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: lozina
man i was thinking you had some real tree, that thing is a shrub!

you should see this monster tree in my backyard on a hill sloped towards my house. if that thing goes it will truly crush my house. its like the east coast's version of a giant sequoia

I had an 80-foot-tall tree fall into my back yard from the neighbor's yard during the last ice storm. Thankfully it didn't damage anything but the fence. I wish could post some pictures right now, but they're on my computer at home.

 

[compman25]

Do you have a fireplace or woodstove? If so, free heat!

 

[Demon-Xanth]

It's gone. Get a pole saw and start cutting off chunks higher up and work your way down.

...or hire someone.

But it's not large enough that it'll cause major damage unless your house is going to fall apart anyways.

 

[Mr Pickles]

Cant you just prop that bastard up? I don't want to see the tree die

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: MrLee
Cant you just prop that bastard up? I don't want to see the tree die

It's torn up it's roots close to the trunk. For a tree that old, it's on it's way out. The only theoretical way to take care of it would be to winch it upright and hope that it can grow new roots in that direction (not likely)

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: MrLee
Cant you just prop that bastard up? I don't want to see the tree die

Is it a pickle tree? Why are you so concerned with it?

 

[Jeff7]

Not worth saving. As bad as that looks, tie a rope around it and pull it down.
It's probably sustained significant root damage, and parts of it will be dead by spring.
Cut it up with a chainsaw, and stack the pieces in front of your house with a sign, "Free wood." People will probably take it, either for firewood, or else for woodworking. That tree looks like it would have some very interesting grain patterns in it.

Then plant a new tree, maybe something that'll stay relatively short, either by nature, or careful trimming. I don't like the idea of having trees near enough to a residence that they could pose a hazard when they fall.

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: MrLee
Cant you just prop that bastard up? I don't want to see the tree die

I'm going to start with less drastic trimming, just to get some of the weight off of the tree. I'll try to prop it up and save it if possible. I'm just not sure if it is. I hate seeing so many trees around town that look like this (without the cleaver) from the first ice storm.

 

[ryan256]

Its bending over and the roots are starting to come up. That tree is coming down 1 way or another. Best you rent/buy a chainsaw and do it yourself so you can prevent damage to your house.

 

[CptCrunch]

take it down with a chainsaw, and once you're done take off the chain , run around the neighborhood with fake blood on your hands and shirt and do your happy successful dance

oh, dont forget to scream your neighbors name in celebration

 

[Miramonti]

It has to come down, not only to protect the porch but from a liability standpoint, if it injures someone by falling on them or by kids playing on it, you're deeply screwed.

I wouldn't pull it down either tho. It would have to be pulled away from the house, and large underground roots could potentially damage the corner foundation of the house if they have grown underneath it.

 

[DrPizza]

After you make the cuts as directed by Rivan, try to pull the rest of it over. If you can't, then start digging on the house side, and cut any roots well below ground. Having 5 or 6 feet of trunk will give you more leverage for removing the stump.

I seriously doubt there are any roots of a size needed to damage the foundation. The only reason for this is that it would make stump removal a little easier.

I wouldn't even bother trying to save it - think of how many roots were damaged when it was uprooted on the one side. Sure, it can be saved, but the effort to replace it would be much lower. Plus, replacing it has a much better guarantee. And, since you'd have to cut the existing tree back so far to save it, the replacement tree would look much better from day 1.