Removing trees and stumps near pool

[ba67]

I'm looking for some advice before we get 3 birch trees removed that are located near the deep end of our inground fiberglass pool. These are extremely messy trees so they've got to go.

We had a tree guy come out and he questioned where some of the lines are in the deep end, and I couldn't tell him. He worries that the vibrations from the stump grinder could potentially damage pool lines if the roots are wound around them. From looking at my pool area in the picture below, does this sound like a valid concern? (I've circled the trees that we plan to remove and put dots where the trunks are located since this picture isn't real clear.) I've been told that the stump grinder will vibrate the ground excessively so I'm also a bit worried that the vibrations could crack the fiberglass since we had a crack in the fiberglass once already. If there is even a remote chance that the vibrations from the stump grinder could damage pool lines or the pool itself, we could just get the stumps cut close to the ground, which won't look very attractive. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. .

 

[Jimrahbe]

67,

Where is your equipment pad located??

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ba67]

67,

Where is your equipment pad located??

Thanks,

Jim R.

The equipment pad is located downhill from the pool on the opposite side from those trees. I have circled where the equipment pad is located in the picture below.

 

[Jimrahbe]

67,

Then I would assume there is very little plumbing on the 'tree' side of the pool.

I would take down the tree that is farthest away from the pool and see what if feels like, when next to the pool. If ok, move on the next tree, etc..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[duraleigh]

IF any plumbing even exists over there, it is surely under the decking. I can't imagine a grinder being capable of damage.

In the REMOTE chance you break something, just repair it. Far better than leaving the trees, right?

 

[mknauss]

An option if you are risk averse. Have the tree stumps cut to ground level. Drill many 1" holes in the stumps. Cover the stumps with Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate). Lightly dampen the stumps and cover them with a tarp or some thing to protect from rain. Repeat every so often and over several months the stumps will die and begin to rot.

 

[BDY]

There are different sizes of grinders, from big tracked ones to one man wheeled ones with small blades. When we had our trees cut down a few years ago, the first tree was a very small grinder that looked kind of like a rototiller, while the second tree was a tracked vehicle they brought on a flatbed trailer and sat over the stump and ground away.

When you get tree service quotes - ask them how they would grind the stumps given your concern. Many of them have different methods to deal with stumps based on where it is on a persons property (e.g. tree in field vs tree growing through patio).

Just a thought....

 

[Kaylee34]

Birch trees have a very shallow root system that spreads. The roots on a mature tree can extend as far out as 1.5 times the width of the tree canopy. They also put out a lot of roots making a very thick mat. VERY invasive and yes, they can cause a lot of problems. Birch trees love water and will seek it out via the root systems. Dig down carefully against the edge of the deck and see what you can find. I'd go near the back corner somewhere. A small hand shovel will do. If you've got a root problem, you'll hit it somewhere around 6" down. Little more, little less maybe. If those trees are as tall as they look, I'd almost guarantee you'll hit roots. Depending on the size and depth you'll know what to do about grinding. If the pool was put in after the trees, you're probably in luck.

 

[ba67]

Birch trees have a very shallow root system that spreads. The roots on a mature tree can extend as far out as 1.5 times the width of the tree canopy. They also put out a lot of roots making a very thick mat. VERY invasive and yes, they can cause a lot of problems. Birch trees love water and will seek it out via the root systems. Dig down carefully against the edge of the deck and see what you can find. I'd go near the back corner somewhere. A small hand shovel will do. If you've got a root problem, you'll hit it somewhere around 6" down. Little more, little less maybe. If those trees are as tall as they look, I'd almost guarantee you'll hit roots. Depending on the size and depth you'll know what to do about grinding. If the pool was put in after the trees, you're probably in luck.

I was told the same thing about the root system of birch trees. That is why I'm so afraid of removing them since the roots could extend near the deep end return line and could be tangled around it. We had a crack in our fiberglass pool several years ago and a leak in that return line and was told that it could have been caused by the roots of those birch trees. I'm wondering if we should just play it safe and just cut the closest birch tree to the ground and disguise the stump somehow or try to get it to go away with some Epsom salts like someone else recommended on here. These are the messiest trees in the world so they have to go--even if we have to leave the stumps level to the ground to prevent damage to the pool.

 

[Kaylee34]

What's the trunk diameter on these trees?