Building next to trees

[493 scamp]

Planning a 32X40X12 polebarn on a small budget. I would like to place it close to my house but there are 2 trees to deal with. A large Maple that would require trimming a few branches and a Walnut that would be within 3 feet and need a few lower branches removed. Can this be done or will the Walnut have to go? Will the roots be a problem?
What will my ceiling height be , I plan on installing a lift.

 

['04 Cummins]

Not sure about walnuts, but the maples in my area have roots that are problematic. They seem to run close to the surface and stretch well beyond the canopy of the tree, pushing up and cracking concrete and pavement.

 

[trbomax]

I clear cut back 20' all around my buildings and thin out all the poplars within 60' or so. You dont post a location but where I am, any popal over 6" in dia is a deadfall waiting to happen.They have a very small root ball unlike a maple or cherry that will almost have as much underground as above.I leave the ironwoods and basswoods if they are under 4" in dia.The other thing is that if you are out in the boonie woods,like me,you want plenty of room around the building to plow in the event of a wildfire. In reality,the 20' I have is not enough,but at some point you must make some concessions for apearance sake.

 

[classic boost]

big trees near buildings cause problems with the roof, too. not to mention the real possibility of a large branch falling and piercing the roof.

 

[Falcon67]

I have a Mesquite 18" off the back wall and had to cut a branch off the big one in front. No problems other than the bitty leaves filling up the gutter. And that has been a problem once, because this last weekend was the first rain in a long while.

However - Mesquites like drought. That branch pointing to the left in the picture has now reached the other side of the big door. Mesquites do have a wide root pattern, but the primary one go way down and not out.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

The rule of thumb with any tree-
Stay outside the canopy- if you can't "be" outside the canopy, the tree goes.

 

[Highbeam]

"Danger Trees" are defined by our DNR as any tree within a length and a half of your building. Remove the trees.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Chances are you will kill the tree with digging the footing. If you don't take it down later that damaged root system will let the tree fall in a storm if it doesn't die first. I had one about 15 feet from any ground work, the tree fell in a windstorm 15 years later. Tree had a full canopy of leaves looked healthy, when the stump came out of the ground it was dead on the side of the previous building and was supported by only the roots on the other side of the tree. This was a 40" plus diameter oak. Totaled out two vehicles it fell on. Nobody was injured but did fall across the street but did miss power lines.

 

[kbs2244]

This is a time to call a tree guy and ask his opinion.
Any major trimming has to concider the balance of the tree.

A pole structure will miss most of the roots and once it gets dry under the building the roots will stop growing there.

There is the leaf and gutter problem.
Maple seeds are a real PA.
If you want to keep the trees it may be a time to think about no gutters and let the rain fall on gravel with a French drain under it.

They will provide shade that will keep you cool in summer.

 

[camarotoolman]

THe walnut will probable die anyway, there roots are fragile. imo

 

[493 scamp]

Well thanks for the bad news,I can relocate but then I will be too far from the house. I might try to find someone to take the walnut down for the wood.How deep would I need to go looking for roots where the slab will be?

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

How deep would I need to go looking for roots where the slab will be?

Everything one would want to know about a Walnut tree- and then some:
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/juglans/nigra.htm

 

[countryroad82]

After having a tree get blowed over and take out my service line and part of the roof there are absolutely no trees within a 100' radius of my shop. Ugly yes, tree damage, not anymore!!