How close can I build to a birch tree?

[JohnnieMo]

I'm looking at options to expand my 24x22 to make a larger workshop. I'd like to stretch the 24' deep dimension by building further in to the yard, however there are two birch trees in the way.

Right now the trees are about 6' from the garage. Can I build close to them? It would require digging and pouring new concrete. However I don't want to kill the trees or have my garage destroyed in a few years by roots.

Here are a few shots. I may have to cut one or both down, but I really don't want to.





The build out I originally designed was for 6' with the trees removed but now I'm getting gun-shy.



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[sickjuice]

IMO the trees are already too close, especially if its a slab on grade foundation which it most likely is

 

[Thumper68]

Birch are famous for dieing as soon as the roots are disturbed or even if there is a well used path near them, ask me how I know.

IMO if you want to expand you will have to take them down, and I would not want birch that close they tend to die on the stump and then rot under the bark and the top will come down like a bomb.

 

[Catadj78]

Timber

 

[Thorold]

They grow fast and die young. Do the expansion and then plant new ones.

 

[mrvm]

Birch trees are not too expensive to replace and should be planted further away since the root system seems to be somewhat invasive. My neighbors birch tree root system has broken and raised sections of his sidewalk. He claims to be a tree lover but I'm stuck with blowing the leaves back over his yard and raking up all the broken branches it sheds each winter back onto his side. I'm getting pretty close to doing something not to tree friendly.

p.s.: wish i could get a passport

 

[36truck]

Cut them down if you want to expand. I did the excavating work for a customer that HAD to keep the birch trees that were 8' from the house. It cost them time for me to work around them then ended up dying within a year after the build was done. Cost them more money to get the tree out that close to the house.

 

[rsanter]

And if you are going to pland new trees after the expansion, you should consider installing a root barrier product between the trees and the garage to prevent roots from growing under the slab in the future. Same deal with the house

Bob

 

[oldmxracer]

They grow fast and die young. Do the expansion and then plant new ones.

I agree, Been there done that.

 

[finn]

Cut it down now and start over. I've cut down dozens at our house. They die from the top, and are easier to handle while they are smaller.

I think we have three left now, two of which are problems. If I had removed them in 1990 when we built, I'd have some pretty nice trees by now.

 

[Radix2]

Birch trees are not long lived trees to start with, and in the case of your trees, they have a major defect by having two growing in one spot. The place where they grow together will have inclusions of bark that will provide a path for rot and infections that will limit the life below the typical case. As time goes by, you need to watch for rot and weakening that will likely cause one or both to fail and possibly fall.

I wouldn't consider those particular trees when determining your expansion plans.

 

[southalabama]

Around here we have river birch.

They grow quick. Weak wood. And die quick

 

[JohnnieMo]

Thanks for the well informed replies.

I've been in this house for 13 years now. The trees have grown slowly but consistently. The one on the left died part way up and I trimmed it down about 5 years ago. I water them regularly and they have done well. I also have another in the front yard that is even more successful.

I find they lose a lot of branches. But they survive. I just had to cut down a pine tree so these two are the last trees I have left. There is also a particularly tall lilac bush and a row of cedars I just planted two years ago.

I think I'm leaning to cutting them out and planting something new along the fence where the playhouse currently sits. Trees aren't that easy to come by here on the prairies, but if you look after them, they can grow. I've actually had good luck with a little sugar maple of all things.




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[discochris]

Cut them down. The house I grew up in had dozens of birch when I was a kid. I think almost all of them are gone now. Same with our cabin. I've taken down probably 15 birch up there, and have another six or so to do this year. They aren't very hearty, and they tend to rot, attract bugs etc. They aren't a tree worth saving, especially if you're looking at a serious investment in your property.

 

[Lippyp]

I'm sure I remember the arborist we had to survey the trees around our last house saying that silver birches are very thirsty trees and **** up huge amounts of water. Not a good thing near a concrete slab as it can cause differential settlement and subsidence. We were recommended to take one down near the house because of this.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

It was very difficult for me to take down a few trees I had ''saved'', after the garage was built. Taking them down doesn't seem right, but two days after they are gone you are over it.

If you keep them now, you will wish you hadn't in short order.

 

[CNGsaves]

For only 6 ft addition, it's not worth doing at all . . . . too little reward for all that expense. Also, I would not use that design that clearly is add-on and doesn't look original. If trees are cut down, then just extend roof at same height for say 12 or 14 ft with more trusses.

Instead of above, I'd MOVE the small shed that is next to the boat . . . and put that shed back between the trees. That way the trees can be saved. Small shed like that can "float" on ground surface on skids so tree roots won't be a problem.

Then build BIG additional garage expansion where the boat and old shed used to be. TALL door in that section also so RV can fit in there. While you're at it, put a lift in the new garage!! THAT will be a Win-Win as you'll get a roof over the boat and save the trees !!

Remember as garages go . . . BIGGER is better !!!

 

[bczygan]

I'm a tree hugger, but they will have to go.

Think of something to make with the wood.

 

[johninct]

They are too close to the house now.

 

[theoldwizard1]

They grow fast and die young. Do the expansion and then plant new ones.

Yep ! I would guess those are close to their "end of life".

Same is true with aspen.

 

[JohnnieMo]

For only 6 ft addition, it's not worth doing at all . . . . too little reward for all that expense. Also, I would not use that design that clearly is add-on and doesn't look original. If trees are cut down, then just extend roof at same height for say 12 or 14 ft with more trusses.

Instead of above, I'd MOVE the small shed that is next to the boat . . . and put that shed back between the trees. That way the trees can be saved. Small shed like that can "float" on ground surface on skids so tree roots won't be a problem.

Then build BIG additional garage expansion where the boat and old shed used to be. TALL door in that section also so RV can fit in there. While you're at it, put a lift in the new garage!! THAT will be a Win-Win as you'll get a roof over the boat and save the trees !!

Remember as garages go . . . BIGGER is better !!!

I had a whole design for a new massive garage. It came with a price tag of $35000 and an entire summer of my time. I just can't justify it.





As for the new design, that roof is just one option. I like it because it increases the sun in the yard. However I'll likely to something simpler. Extending the existing roof might be where I end up. Still not sure.

Moving the shed is something to consider though.... I'll run that through my processor.

 

[JohnnieMo]

While you're at it, put a lift in the new garage!! THAT will be a Win-Win as you'll get a roof over the boat and save the trees !!

I do plan for a lift in the garage.

 

[SilverSS1969]

Can't be as close as what we had one at. This was our birch tree out front when we first bought our house. I have never seen a birch get that big before so we took it down shortly after we moved in. With they would have planted it out in the front yard more. Surprisingly, it was very healthy threw most of the tree.

 

[JohnnieMo]

FYI trees are gone. Bobcat coming to take the stumps out and excavate the floor in a week.



Thanks for the advice! Further progress will be in my signature thread.

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[Kevin54]

They grow fast and die young. Do the expansion and then plant new ones.

^^^^This^^^^

We bought 5 large Birch trees one year. Planted them, and over the period of about 10 years, we started losing them one by one. We have one left, and it is not the best looking as it lost one limb a few years back. Plus as a Birch gets older, it gets trashier by dropping small limbs on a constant basis.

My vote would be to take them out, then plant a nice ornamental in it's place, like a Weeping Spruce, or a nice Japanese Maple. all in all, we've had maybe 8 or nine of different sizes, and I won't plant anymore when the last one is gone. Oh, and the others we had.....I cut them down.

My computer is slow this morning, and I posted before I saw the last post. :tard: Anyways...disregard my post

 

[stikman56]

FYI trees are gone. Bobcat coming to take the stumps out and excavate the floor in a week.



Thanks for the advice! Further progress will be in my signature thread.

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That was a good choice. They drop pitch and leaves, never ending issue with them when they're close to buildings. Saved yourself a lot of work for the rest of your time there.

 

[JohnnieMo]

I've been lucky. Have (had) three of them and only had one large branch die on my in 14 years. Oh well, they had a good run. I will burn each and every log with joy in my fireplace.

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[Kevin54]

Can't be as close as what we had one at. This was our birch tree out front when we first bought our house. I have never seen a birch get that big before so we took it down shortly after we moved in. With they would have planted it out in the front yard more. Surprisingly, it was very healthy threw most of the tree.

That is a White Birch. Your lucky it lasted that long as a White Birch is susceptible to Birch Bore which will kill it. I have one I'm waiting for to die. Usually when you see the Clump Birch which has three out of one root ball, most of those are the Paper Birch that the bark peels year around. And those are the ones that can really get trashy. In the Spring, you get small sticks and Catkins (the long caterpillar looking things) that will fall and plug gutters if close to the house.

 

[johninct]

IMO the trees are already too close, especially if its a slab on grade foundation which it most likely is

I agree, they are too close right now and need to go.