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Is the fence destroying the tree or is the tree destroying the fence?

By Charles Buell

Home Inspector with Charles Buell Inspections Inc.

November 01, 2015 01:15 AM

I find the tenacity of vegetation amazing.

Just the tiniest crack where dirt and moisture can be contained and/or found will result in an opportunity for some plant to thrive---or at least attempt to thrive. I am sure there are metaphors that apply to humans as well.

Tenacity

At a recent inspection I found a tree that was not about to be deterred by a chain link fence.

The tree, when it was small, grew through the fence and then just kept on growing as if the fence was not there at all.

fence eating tree

The tree has now completely swallowed up the fence but the pattern of the fence is still visible as a testament to the tenacity of the tree---not unlike the scars we accumulate in our lives as we growth through our own metaphorical fences.

It is interesting that neither the fence nor the tree can be removed but what both would be destroyed.

So is the fence destroying the tree or is the tree destroying the fence?

Charles Buell, Real Estate Inspections in Seattle

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Joe Pryor

The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK

REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

That would be a paradox so a paradox leads to a new way of thinking. I now have to comtemplate what that would be.

Nov 01, 2015 01:21 AM

Charles Buell

It is a bit of a confounder isn't it?

Nov 01, 2015 01:02 AM

Gary Coles (International Referrals)

Venture Realty International - Las Vegas, NV

Latin America Real Estate

Good morning Charles Buell I really like your headline. I would have to say that the tree is destroying the fence. I have seen many cases in the forest where a tree and a fence meet and over time the tree usually outlives the fence.

Christine Gerbehy

Egg Harbor Township, NJ

I suspect to get rid of the tree they are going to end up repairing the fence :)

Nov 01, 2015 01:03 AM

Fred Hernden, CMI

Superior Home Inspections - Greater Albuquerque Area - Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque area Master Inspector

Mother nature is indeed creative! I have seen some really crazy things trees do to survive.

Charles Buell

Seattle, WA
Pat Starnes-Front Gate...

Brandon, MS
Christine Gerbehy

Egg Harbor Township, NJ

Fred, there is no end to it. I remember visiting some garden where they made living benches out of trees

Nov 01, 2015 01:04 AM

Dana Hollish Hill

Hollish Hill Group, JPAR Stellar Living - Bethesda, MD

REALTOR * Broker * Coach

I think the fence is in the way of the tree and you can't stop Mother Nature.

Nov 01, 2015 01:26 AM

Dana, I think the tree is probably not any more "aware" of the fence than the other way around---but the tree has the ability to work with the fence.

Nov 01, 2015 01:05 AM

Christine Gerbehy

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox and Roach Northfield - Egg Harbor Township, NJ

Making waves, one home at a time...

WOW.I've never seen THAT before! I think the tree's the clear winner here...

Nov 01, 2015 01:41 AM

True enough---until someone decides they one or the other

Will Hamm

Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO

"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Interesting topic, come to think about it, I have seen this before in one of my listings. Thanks for sharing.

I think this happens quite a lot actually---just never saw the pattern of the fence in the bark like this one.

Nov 01, 2015 02:31 AM

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist

KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA

Probate Real Estate Services

What a shame that the fence cannot be removed without destroying the tree.

Vegetation growing as in photo #1 always fascinates me. We cannot stop nature. It will do what it does ... and so powerfully.

Nov 01, 2015 01:42 AM

Powerful indeed---able to lift sidewalks and tip over retaining walls and ruin foundations----all one cell at a time.

Nov 01, 2015 02:32 AM

William Feela

WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN

Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I am sticking my neck out here and saying that it is a little of both

Nov 01, 2015 09:29 AM

Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807

HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ

Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Charles - That is an interesting thing, how plants and trees can grow and thrive in so many different environments. We have had palm trees sprout out of nowhere in our yard.

Nov 01, 2015 10:05 AM

Jay Markanich

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

I have seen a tree which completely incorporated a chain link fence! And most of a post.

Had they planted enough trees they would not need posts!

Nov 02, 2015 01:04 AM

Winston Heverly

Coldwell Banker Access Realty - South Macon, GA

GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

Loved your blog today, hope this becomes a eventful & successful start of the week.

Nov 08, 2015 01:26 PM

Is the fence destroying the tree or is the tree destroying the fence?

Comments(11)

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