Well, taking down a big tree will give you less shade.

Trees are generally considered an asset and yours look to be a desirable distance form your house (not too close).

The advice you are getting seems very odd. Why can't the lawn be fertilized? Are you in an area where water is rationed?

In some cases, neighbors may consider particular tress nuisances, but more typically they are seen as a enhancing a neighborhood. Those trees don't look like giant, heritage trees, but you might get a few askance glances if you take them out.

Also, you may need permits for removal.

In regard to the shade, yes we will lose shade obviously :)
The landscaper and tree removal company stated that the tree and root system suck up a lot of the resources required for growth. Don't love that the tree is dead center of the yard. Not opposed to plating new, less intrusive trees off center.

I've never had trees with a high browse line cause issue with growing grass underneath, unless it was a group of trees together. With the proper seeding/sod/maintainance and time of year for your location, I'd try growing grass before removing the trees. Give it a year, then you could consider taking it down if you do have trouble. I see the fence as causing more problems to plant growth (due to shade) than the tree does.

I would keep the tree on the right for shade but the tree to the left seems to not to enhance your yard, I would take that one down.

I would make the fence even all the way across for privacy. Leave the trees, they are a beautiful asset. Put some pavers down around the tree with a table and chairs to enjoy the shade. You have the lawn area in place. It will be beautiful.

Don't know if you would be able to get a permit to chop down a large tree.

Trees connect people to nature. A tree in someone else's yard is something that can be enjoyed by all the neighbors. It lends privacy, allows you to feel private and also your neighbors. I would never take a tree's life unless it endangered my home or my neighbor's. I keep saying neighbors because your tree is also everyone's tree...as it is mature and visible to all. I would MUCH MUCH MUCH rather see branches and leaves then someone else's roof / bedroom window / electrical wires.

Appreciate all of the feedback.i have thought about waiting but I am impatient. Here are some additional photos of the base/roots.

Looks like you need to bring in a load of dirt and cover the root base,

you say you're impatient. why? I don't see the harm in waiting. Also, if you're impatient, consider the time needed for a tree like that to grow, should you remove it and later regret...

I think the roots are gorgeous! imagine your kids running little cars along/among them. But I think you've already made up your mind and are looking for permission. Perhaps it's worth consulting an arborist about your options.

You could also make a raised round bed at the tree base and plant flowers.

What taking out a root cause any health issues with the tree?

Its your property cut it down if you want, most people won't even notice. I guess I'd leave the others for now, but you may want those down as well in the future.

The landscape company is correct those trees rob nutrients that all the fetilizer in the would won’t fix IMO the center one can go no problem as for grass it is by far the most water wasting chemical using material and I think it should actually be banned look into some ground covers that grow well under trees and require little water and grow without fertilizer vinca is one and the bonus it is evergreen

i have never had a problem enjoying the natural world. i find roots of trees lovely. i find manicured lawns less than lovely. but what do i know......i'm a nature lover not an urban person. if it were me, i would be so happy to be able to buy a home with mature trees on it's land. i would consider myself a custodian of them, rather than owner.

There are two reasons why I would have a tree cut down that is in my front yard:

1. The tree roots are getting into my sewer system like it did at our old house or the roots are troublesome elsewhere.

2. If the tree was planted right in front of your house and it blocks your front door from the street. Yes, someone back in 1945 when our house was built decided to plant a beautiful Elm tree right in line with the front door. I do not know what they were thinking? Anyway, the tree roots have expanded and are breaking up the sidewalk. One of these days, I will have to pay someone to cut it down, shade or no shade.

The tree is healthy and provides habitat for other organisms that keep the rest of the area healthy. Your little one will appreciate not having to wear a hat when he's in the backyard. Your dog will appreciate chasing the squirrels. You will appreciate having a shady place to sit after spending ages mowing your resource-hogging lawn. Your wife will appreciate not arguing with you.

Keep the tree! Everyone will benefit.

Again thanks for all the input. As they say, patience is a virtue. Let's see what the spring summer brings and we will reevaluate next year. Perhaps you will see the family in front of the tree.

Randy

Randy, is probably out there with a chain saw as we speak;))

@margocorp lol there are power lines in the way. i am not that dumb

The neighbour across the street just moved into a brand new house with a lovely mature tree in the front yard. He cut it down a week after moving in. That has done a few things: it has taken away the individuality the house had, and made it look like every other cookie-cutter house built in the last five years, it has left his house over-exposed to sun and street noise, and it has successfully annoyed all the neighbours across the street who now have to look at his cookie cutter house without the screening provided by the tree. In short, not a great way to start life in a new neighbourhood.

Our neighborhood has small yards and the builders planted two trees in everyone's front yards and two tree in the back. Lots of maple trees were planted very near driveways. Seeing the roots of the maple tree as a big future problem that close to our driveway (the tree was growing super fast), I had the tree removed about 7 years after moving in and planted a tree form serviceberry in its place. It should be a much more manageable size for the spot. Just this morning our next door neighbor had the same kind of maple removed from right next to their driveway. Sometimes, I think tree removal does make sense. So often, the eventual size of the tree wasn't given adequate consideration when it was placed and planted.

I would leave the trees, all of them. They are providing some screen/diversion from the power lines. None of the trees seem to be in the center of your yard as you mention, they are all on the perimeter in the photo posted. A landscape designer can help you figure out where to put your play set and help you choose plantings that can provide additional privacy while coexist with the trees.

great trees for hammocks and treehouse. anyone remember a funny treehouse thread on Houzz? Ride out a year to see how the shade changes with the seasons. Only worry about roots upsetting foundations or sewers or branches hanging over alley or neighbor's house. The city was going to cite us when the first peaches on our tree weighed down the branches below the legal limit. we had to beg them to wait til they were ripe to pick. having play sculpture and sand box under a tree will be desirable in summer. talk to an arborist before covering root flare.

Where do you guys live, that you can just have a tree removed? In our city you need a permit and they are rarely granted, unless the tree is in danger of damaging property or dead and dying.

Happy wife equals happy life. Do as she wants and keep the tree.