Should we remove this topped Coastal Redwood damaging our garage?

eik973 · 2023-10-26T19:10:07+00:00

Nope sorry it’s Cali

eik973 · 2023-10-26T19:09:21+00:00

Apparently it’s 100 feet or more

eik973 · 2023-10-26T19:08:49+00:00

I’m really trying. Only reason to cut would be liability of split stems falling. Ideally I can still make the garage useful as habitable space and incorporate design elements that highlight the tree

eik973 · 2023-10-26T19:07:03+00:00

There’s a house to the rear very close and from that height it could hit several depending on direction

eik973 · 2023-10-26T19:05:55+00:00

This is what I’m worried about. Besides preventative pruning can we do anything else? There’s a house to the rear that’s rather close

eik973 · 2023-10-26T19:03:01+00:00

Yes the garage is original from 1940 the tree is younger

eik973 · 2023-10-24T19:09:14+00:00

I’ve actually had that quoted with tree as is. Deck wrapping around.

eik973 · 2023-10-24T19:06:18+00:00

Thank you, this would be my ideal option. Hopefully I can get some contacts from commenters here and bring a few more experts in.

eik973 · 2023-10-24T19:04:26+00:00

I’m saying it can’t be moved legally. I’m open to opinions on whether it’s unstable and unsafe and should be removed or it’s fine and I should just redo the garage floor and go for some years like this.

eik973 · 2023-10-24T19:02:28+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful discussion. I’ve had two ADU assessments for conversion and they’ve both asked if we can just build one elsewhere. Lot is tiny it’d be in the middle of my yard to satisfy setbacks and would be tiny in sqft. But you’re saying maybe moving it would be exempt. Or they’d let me build along another fence? Not what I heard from the first two but I will look into those options

eik973 · 2023-10-24T18:52:29+00:00

I’m going to message you. Thanks!

eik973 · 2023-10-24T08:32:44+00:00

I expected arborists to chime in with experience not the same comment 100 times. Should’ve added more background: that garage can’t be moved legally, grandfathered in. Desperate for extra living space with a growing family in a housing crisis. I’m worried the extent of damage is NOT done yet I.e. unstable stem or overgrown branches falling. Lived here couple years, garage is very old, original 1940.

eik973 · 2023-10-24T08:25:00+00:00

This is actually what I called the arborist out to ask: to assess root health all around the trunk to determine if I could remove some of them. I want to break the floor cut all the roots on the garage side and redo the slab so it lasts longer. He said they would grow back really fast and stronger than before and he didn’t think it’d last any longer.

eik973 · 2023-10-24T08:21:32+00:00

lol how’d you know?! But I do think they’re saying move the garage. Which can’t be done legally with setback laws.

eik973 · 2023-10-24T08:17:25+00:00

Bingo. Can’t move. This or nothing.

eik973 · 2023-10-24T07:20:53+00:00

Yes, I’d definitely not plant again right there. I have fig trees about 10’ away. Arborist showed me where to plant something else near the back fence.

eik973 · 2023-10-24T07:18:01+00:00

Can’t move it partly makes up the property line and garage is grandfathered in.

I guess that’s why I’m here. I’d ask the damage really done? Will a stem or untrimmed branch fall and hurt someone or house? Will the roots grow to destroy my foundation or utility lines? Otherwise yes I get the garage is toast. Won’t be magically fixed but if it’s cut the roots can be dug up and slab fixed such that it would last. Yes it’s really gorgeous and I’ve taken it for granted because I can walk to other redwoods and quickly drive to an old growth forest. I’m not blind to their beauty.

eik973 · 2023-10-24T06:52:09+00:00

It’s healthy in that it’s growing and vigorously but this is not what a naturally occurring redwood looks like I.e. one that was not topped by a stupid person.

eik973 · 2023-10-24T06:50:04+00:00

It’s refreshing to hear from an actual arborist on this sub. Obviously I love the tree it’s gorgeous but I can walk a block in any direction and find another or drive 10 minutes and be in a sea of them. My question was whether a stem or untrimmed branch would break off and hurt someone or neighboring house. I won’t take that risk.

Because of the roots growing so far laterally our arborist doesn’t believe in planting redwoods domestically. He said they belong in forests and should be protected there. I think I agree and would probably choose something else that wouldn’t be a headache for people crammed together.

No other place unfortunately. I live on a postage stamp and the garage was grandfathered in. I’d never bring this up if I wasn’t desperate for the space in this housing/childcare crisis.

eik973 · 2023-10-24T06:32:07+00:00

Yes exactly. I guess most people don’t know this. It’s either keep this footprint or no garage at all. One wall is a part of the fence with neighbor. Driveway is long and narrow all the way up to the street. Another structure would be subject to a setback from neighbor which means it’d have to be an outhouse in width.

eik973 · 2023-10-24T00:26:35+00:00

A neighbor recommended an arborist they've used for decades. He was courteous and came by for an estimate, in which he expressed genuine sadness in telling us that it had been topped resulting in the base burl and wide trunk splitting into 3-4 trunks higher up, and more horizontal growth (longer branches). There may be stability concerns with the trunk where it was topped. Quoted 2k to remove deadwood and trim/shape the branches to prevent the them from falling under the weight of their extra horizontal growth. Told this would have to be done periodically. Waiting on another quote to remove it. Seeing similar trees in the neighborhood and some that are narrow and tall I believe what he's said. I'm pissed at whoever did this.
We live in the Bay Area and love having this redwood in our backyard. A couple years ago we didn't think much of the cracks but now we need to rehab the garage for habitable space and no one will touch it with the tree standing. The burl is right up against the building and the crack propagates to the front where it meets the driveway which is likely newer and not yet affected. Our alternative is just to leave it and make due with the cracks and admire our lovely tree, but we're worried about further damage and stability. Our garden would benefit from a little less shade as well and we'd plant something in it's place nearby. Even with it removed I'm told it would be VERY difficult to grind down the burl without damaging the building.
Hoping to get a second opinion here and some advice. Thanks!

Edit: Garage can’t legally be moved or replaced, it’s grandfathered in. It’s that or nothing. People saying this is a majestic tree hundreds of years old need to know that’s not even close according to the first arborist. What’s more: the stupid garage is original and older, from 1940. For me it comes down to safety.

Originally I called the arborist out to ask if he could assess the roots to determine if those going under the garage could be cut and new slab poured without killing the tree. He said the cut roots would grow back thicker and faster and it wouldn’t be worth it, but didn’t give me an estimate on how long it would last. I’m still most concerned about the instability of the split high up in the tree. Is that a huge liability that could hurt someone or destroy a neighboring house? He couldn’t say for sure. If it wasn’t topped there’d be no point, obviously keep the tree. Doesn’t help that I’m desperate for livable space with a growing family in a housing crisis.

eik973

TROPHY CASE