Should 80' oaks be cut down? (Please help!)

[jmmoris]

Hey, folks. I'm really hoping to get some opinions here.

 

We have two gorgeous, 80' red oaks about 30 feet from the rear of our house. Problem is, they're leaning at about a 30 degree angle toward the house. My husband says the lean isn't new (the trunks are curved, so they probably grew toward the sun) and oaks have hardy taproot systems, so the likelihood of them falling is slim. I say they're leaning too much, and I want them down. We're deadlocked.

 

What do you professionals think? There is no mounding or other external sign that they're in immediate danger of falling, at least that we can see. It's just the degree of lean and the proximity to the house that has me nervous.

 

Tree cutters want $4,000 to cut them both down, so we're obviously not taking this decision lightly.

 

 

Thank you!

 

(P.S. Attached is a pic...it's the two trees on the left. A side view would be better, but this gives you an idea, at least.)

[SteveA]

It might all get swallowed by a sink hole before the meteorite smashes the entire county to pieces.

Sleep tight.

[Haironyourchest]

$4000 ?!?!?!

 

For $500 cash in hand I'll fly over from Ireland and knock-em - If I can keep the timber....

[treequip]

Now hang on a bit, no one has asked for the location of these trees, the OP could be living in Tornado alley for all anyone knows.

A few more context pictures please and your location.

 

If you were in a tornado area the trees next to your house are the least of your problems, they are going to get ripped out and land somewhere else, its the ones that were on someone else's property that are going to land on yours and cause problems.

[lyons e]

What's they said

[Mick Dempsey]

If you were in a tornado area the trees next to your house are the least of your problems, they are going to get ripped out and land somewhere else, its the ones that were on someone else's property that are going to land on yours and cause problems.

 

I don't want to get into a big thing about it:001_smile:

But definitive advice given to someone on the other side of the world not to worry about their trees on the basis of one picture of the trunks is a bit flawed.

[JLA Arborists]

$4000 ?!?!?!

 

For $500 cash in hand I'll fly over from Ireland and knock-em - If I can keep the timber....

 

 

I'd pay $500 to see your face when the check in girl tells you the excess baggage fee

[jmmoris]

THANK YOU all for your time, especially 10 Bears for your in-depth post. Truly appreciate it.

 

If we hired an arborist to assess the trees, what would they review? Would it be as simple as taking a look at the bark, soil, etc. for external signs of health, or are there internal factors to review/possible tests they can perform?

 

I guess I just want to make sure that a powerful storm isn't going to send one (or both) of these trees toppling... I know no one can guarantee this one way or another--just looking at likelihoods.

 

BTW, we live in Pittsburgh, PA, well away from Tornado Alley.

[10 Bears]

You're welcome.