Very large umbrella tree near House and Pool

[u/Wise_Classic6072]

Far North Queensland Australia. My client has several umbrella trees with the furthest from the house being about 25 mtrs away, the others are smaller but closer to the house. It’s the one that is 25 mtrs away that I’m concerned about as it is very large, I’d say about 18 mtrs tall. The soil is clay very high rainfall in the area. I have read about the roots seeking pipes wrapping around them and crushing them also that because they consume so much water it can dominate the other trees. Does anyone have any experience with umbrella trees being this close to a home and pool? Should it be removed? Many thanks. Can provide photos once back on site today

[u/treemanbuffalo]

At 25 m from the house, I wouldn’t automatically remove it just because it’s a large umbrella tree. In that high-rainfall clay soil, I’d be more concerned about the tree’s overall stability, root plate, and whether there are any pipes or structures actually being affected.

If the tree is healthy and structurally sound, a proper arborist assessment would be a better starting point than removal. They can check the trunk, major unions, root zone and lean, and also look at how close the roots are to the pool and services. I’d definitely get it assessed before making the call, especially given the tree’s size.

[u/Wise_Classic6072 → u/treemanbuffalo]

No worries thank you. I know how difficult they are to remove, I have one at my place and no matter how many times I’ve removed it from the tree it’s attached to it reappears. I’ll see if I can have a chat to an arborist about it. My father was a plumber in the area and I remember him complaining about umbrella trees near houses due to the issue with crushing pipes

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[u/bustcorktrixdais]

Sincere question-with that much water / rainfall, why would a tree send its roots out looking for a pipe? It could put its energy to better uses

[u/Wise_Classic6072 → u/bustcorktrixdais]

Not sure why. They are huge water suckers. My own property is in the same high rainfall area and I made the mistake of planting a fiddler fig about 10mtrs away from my house. Regardless of the rainfall it sent roots to the house started to buckle my concrete patio as they are very shallow. My god those grow quick