Many older homes that are surrounded by one or more trees often exhibit damage caused by tree roots. Concrete slabs that serve as driveways or pathways are the first to succumb to damage from roots. In the beginning, signs of damage are very subtle. Usually, the concrete begins to fracture in certain areas. As the root continues to expand, the fracture evolves into a full-blown crack. In some neighborhoods the problem goes untreated for so long that sections of sidewalk begin to assume different elevations creating a major safety hazard. Considering the reasonable tree removal cost which most arborists charge, not fixing problems like these makes little sense.
Regardless, most people want to know how they go about addressing the problem so that they don’t need to repave their driveway and other sections of concrete on a regular basis. Complete tree removal is often cost prohibitive and unnecessary, especially when you factor in the cost of root extraction as well as the tree stump removal cost. Fortunately, most cases don’t require complete removal of the offending tree. An arborist will often be able to remove the one root causing the problem without impairing the overall health of the tree. This can significantly reduce the cost of tree removal and enable you to continue enjoying the tree’s aesthetic beauty and refreshing shade. This is a project that most homeowners should easily be able to tackle with some help from a professional. An axe and a shovel can make quick work of the offending roots.
In some instances, it may be an entire network of roots that’s causing deformities in a concrete slab. In these cases, the tree may very well have to be removed. Remember that work like stump and root removal costs extra, so be ready to add a few hundred dollars to any of the prices you are quoted.
Some homeowners appreciate the beauty of the offending tree so much that they decide to accommodate its growing size. This can be accomplished by removing damaged areas of concrete and instead replacing them with paving stones or similar. This is much cheaper than having the slab repoured and might even yield a more aesthetically pleasing result.
However, this shouldn’t serve as an excuse for allowing the tree to continue its outward expansion. The system of roots can interfere with underground piping like sewer lines. These pipes can be much more expensive to replace than a single patch of concrete. Consult with a professional who can alert you to foreseeable problems. The tree removal cost might not be very attractive, but it might save you from much more sizeable expenditures in the future. If you want quality work done, your time is best spent selecting a candidate based on their merits rather than the low price they are willing to quote you. Ask someone who has had landscaping work done in the past for a referral if you don’t know where to start.
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