I love trees. They provide shade on hot days like today. I have several on my property. There is one tree, however, that has managed to make my life a living hell through no fault of its own. That tree belongs to the District of Columbia. It is a giant tree just off the sidewalk, between my house and my neighbor’s house. And it is slowly eating my plumbing–and my life.
This problem began to evident itself in 2005, when the tree started dropping leaves all summer long. A couple of branches were bare in late spring/early summer. The sidewalk had not yet begun to rise from the ground in a visible manner. There was a large dead limb dangling precariously over the utility line connected to my neighbor’s and my houses.
I filed a report with the city. A representative told me that the city doesn’t trim for the safety of residents; it’s only concern is the health of the tree. I told him of the lawsuit that would result if the tree limb happened to fall on the utility line and rip it away from the house. A couple of days later, an arborist came and removed the offending limb.
In 2007, I had what seemed to be a huge clog that ended up costing me hundreds of dollars. At the time, I had a home warranty on the house, but the warranty didn’t cover what the plumber determined was a problem caused by the city. I paid him to get the clog and then to bring a camera to send into the sewer. It took two days. He had difficulty getting the camera around a weird bend in the pipe, but he told me it had to be the tree.
Being a happy and inexperienced homeowner, I gave the matter no more thought and forked over the money. I filed another report with the city to alert them of the tree.
The District claimed to have inspected the tree.
Now, I’m no arborist, but this tree does NOT look healthy to me. No, seriously, I feel sorry for it. If the city ever does remove it, I know I’ll mourn its loss. However, a tree that would grow that large probably never should have been planted in a 4-foot-by-6-foot space in a concrete sidewalk in the first place. The bark is gapping in spots, and the tree is spongy in those areas.
This tree has now outgrown the tree box, or the break in the curb, and has gone in search of water. The roots have grown so large that there is no way for the tree to get water. Since there is an opening to the street water pipes on either side of the tree box, the tree’s large roots have managed to lift the sidewalk 2-1/2 – 3 inches so it could reach those pipes.
Now, I’m no arborist, but this tree does not appear healthy to me.
As evident, the tree roots lifted the sidewalk to get to the water main openings.
I’ve gotten lots of suggestions regarding how to stop it: caustic chemicals to kill the roots; suggestions on killing the tree (tree’s already dying, plus I make every attempt to live within the law). I shudder to think of the damage done to the environment by people like me who driven to desperate measures.
It’s now June 2009. The street in front of my home and the yard are covered with yellow leaves. Dead twigs accompany each rainfall. I’ve begged the District to put the tree out of its misery. I’ve offered to personally care for any young replacement sapling they might bring, watering often, protecting it from the elements (and kids with bikes). My please have mostly gone ignored, other than to have these so-called “professionals” ridicule me because they are arborists, etc. and I’m not.
The worst part is that there is now sewage backing up into the drain outside my basement door. I’ll spare you those details and photos. The fact that it makes it outside the house, but gets stops somewhere between the yard and the street, means that city’s pipe lost the fight with the tree.
I got a promise that a couple of arborists will stop past to look at the tree next week, but I’ve lost all confidence.
If there’s anyone out there who can offer any advice (please don’t say move), please do so. Also, if you have any influential friends in the government District of Columbia, could you ask them to help a sista out? Thanks.
