Q: What if a neighbor’s tree is blocking my view?

• <div><p>Unfortunately, most of the time you&rsquo;re out of luck if a neighbor&rsquo;s tree blocks your view. You don&rsquo;t have a right to a view, so if you have a tree that&rsquo;s near the property line but on your neighbor&rsquo;s property, you can&rsquo;t cut it to be able to take in a majestic mountain or a beautiful sunrise. In some communities, however, there are ordinances protecting scenic views. Checking into your local laws can help you determine your rights in this situation.</p></div>

Q: What tree has the deepest roots?

• <div><p>The shepherd&rsquo;s tree, native to the Kalahari Desert in Africa, holds the record for the deepest known tree roots at over <b>230 feet deep</b>. Some African communities refer to it as the &ldquo;Tree of Life&rdquo; since it provides food, shade, and medicinal properties to the surrounding community.</p></div>

Question 1

How far should trees be from foundation?

Accepted Answer

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In general, trees should be planted no closer than 15 to 20 feet from your foundation. For larger trees with far-reaching roots like maples, oaks, or poplars, a good guide is to plant as many feet from your home as the tree’s height is expected to reach at maturity. Some trees, like elms and willows, should only be planted far from where their roots may encounter sewer or water lines.

Question 2

What if a neighbor’s tree is blocking my view?

Accepted Answer

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Unfortunately, most of the time you’re out of luck if a neighbor’s tree blocks your view. You don’t have a right to a view, so if you have a tree that’s near the property line but on your neighbor’s property, you can’t cut it to be able to take in a majestic mountain or a beautiful sunrise. In some communities, however, there are ordinances protecting scenic views. Checking into your local laws can help you determine your rights in this situation.

Question 3

What tree has the deepest roots?

Accepted Answer

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The shepherd’s tree, native to the Kalahari Desert in Africa, holds the record for the deepest known tree roots at over 230 feet deep. Some African communities refer to it as the “Tree of Life” since it provides food, shade, and medicinal properties to the surrounding community.

Question 4

How do I shape a cherry tree by trimming it?

Accepted Answer

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You can shape a cherry tree by trimming vertical branches, dense branches, and intersecting branches. Your personal aesthetic comes into play, as well. If you want to simply thin and shape the tree, you can get away with trimming the aforementioned parts of your cherry tree. If you want to shorten branches, however, consider thinning cuts, which alter the length of the branches while encouraging light penetration, new buds and shoots, and a structurally-sound shape.

Question 5

Are palm tree stumps hard to remove?

Accepted Answer

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Unfortunately, palm tree stumps are one of the most difficult types to remove due to how their roots grow. Unlike other trees, palm tree roots grow horizontally and vertically. Palm tree roots grow as deep as three feet into the ground, although soil and growing conditions could mean they go as far as 50 inches into the earth.

If you want to be able to repurpose the grass in the area where you removed a stump later, you’ll have to dig quite deep—and perhaps wide—to trim away all the roots.