Builders…What were you thinking?

tree too close to homeI get pretty frustrated with builders.  I just wrote a check to a guy to come remove trees and stumps around the edge of the house.  The neighbors had their drawers in a wad that there had better not be any damage to their sprinkler systems…well duh…since it was mostly my yard they were in, and I would be responsible… you don’t think I am hoping the same thing too! 

Builders…make sure your landscapers don’t plant trees so close to the house.  It is a cute little sprig now…but in 10 years or so… those trees are big, with a big root system that is making love to the foundation of your home, and upper branches are trying to damage the siding and take the roof out as they sway in the wind.  Yes, they make nice shade in the summer, but that shade would be better ten more feet away from the house.  The bug man says ants and other little crawly varmint’s like to climb trees and hop off on top of the roof.  So that is another reason to keep trees away from the house. 

Same thing goes if you are building a home…watch where you plant the new landscaping.  Don’t get things too close to the house.

Sherry Scales, REALTOR®

HomeNet Realty

12444 Research Blvd, Ste 100

Austin, TX  78759

512.925.8928 Cell

sherry@sherryscales.com

Visit my website: www.SherryScales.com or www.Luxury-Homes-in-Austin.com  to search for homes.

 

 
Post is included in group: Diary of a Realtor
Post is included in group: Austin Texas Realtors
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: New Home Construction Selling Information

42 Comments on Builders…What were you thinking?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

OCT
07
872,774 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sherry, builders in Florida love to plant dainty Robellini palms in front of the dining room or living room. Within a few years, they completely cover the window and are dainty no more. Just doesn't make sense tome - they look terrible at this point.

Sharon
9:27pm • #24
466,470 Points 50 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

That's definitely not a good idea to plant a tree so close to the foundation that it causes these kinds of problems you mention in your post. Also, it is not a good idea to plant a tree that will grow taller than the home. Mature trees with shallow roots can fall over during a storm. Not good if it lands on the roof.
11:19pm • #25
OCT
08
966,826 Points 60 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Sherry, this is some great advice you are sharing here.  Most builders... all of them, in fact, never plant trees anywhere near this close to the foundation of a home they are building.  And usually, the HOA will dictate where the builder must plant the tree or trees that come with the home.
12:13am • #26
420,430 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Really great point - and reminder. In addition, the root system tears up sidewalks and inces its way into pipes. As much as I love trees, one should really consult a landscape architect to select type of tree and where to plant!
1:18am • #27
345,610 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Sherry, this is a great advise. As a home owner you should be aware about the trees that can affect the foundation of your home. We have removed trees that builders planted over the years.
4:45am • #28
1,951,793 Points 478 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I see this over and over.  The landscaper thinks only about what it looks like today and not what the root system is going to do 10-20 years from now.  Sure, the initial buyer may be long gone, but. . . . . eventually, that root system has to be considered. 

 
4:48am • #29
731,093 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Sherry, I've had to remove more than one bush over the years because of this. Good reminder!
5:14am • #30
653,303 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Right on Sherry.  You can't plant the trees too close!  Ask me how I know.  :)                                                          
5:44am • #31
224,227 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

HI Sherry,

I agree that nothing should be planted up against or near the house. I planted my own trees and although they are about 20 foot from the house...I still wonder if they are not too close.
5:48am • #32
367,852 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Sherry,

You got my attention regarding the animals jumping on the roof.  Trying to resolve this very issue now with squirrels that can jump 20 or more feet through the air.  Best of success to you for a great finish this year!
5:52am • #33
184,317 Points 6 Featured Posts Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

Any builder worth his weight should know better!
5:53am • #34
761,537 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Even removing the tree and then the stump can then cause big time problems for the foundation when that happens.  A large gaping hole that close to the slab can be bad.
6:32am • #35
840,363 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I supported this until I turned 60. Now, I add 20-25 years to that and well it may end up being someone elses problem
7:02am • #36
3 Featured Posts

If the builder (or planter) had used a little foresight it would not be a problem today.
7:46am • #37
167,957 Points 4 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

If this post were on facebook, I would "Like" it.  : )
8:22am • #38
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

I agree this can be a problem. On Marco Island we are required to plant at least  three native canopy trees before we can get a CO on a new home. As our yards are generally pretty small this creates a problem for the future.
11:47am • #39
OCT
09
1,527,430 Points 164 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Oh and stop planting trees in mulch volcanes.  A tree does not thrive with 2 feet of mulch piled up around it's trunk.  Forces tree roots closer to the surface to look for water. 
11:55am • #40

Or even worse, building AROUND a tree!!  Hope your neighbors sprinkler system was OK :)
12:16pm • #41
423,507 Points 16 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Often times as in this photo, the trees were not actually planted too close to the building, rather they grew there naturally as they often do, it is simply a matter of lack of maintenance 30 years ago when somebody failed to pull up the young tree that started growing next to the foundation where the lawnmower couldn't reach it.
12:35pm • #42
OCT
10
1,094,364 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Building beside or planting a tree that close could mean disaster indeed.
11:59am • #43

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All


What does the graphic say?
Leave a response…

(optional)
Spam Prevention:
 

Find TX real estate agents and Leander real estate on ActiveRain.