Some kind of nut tree. Where are you situated geographically?

One of the Hickories, Carya sp. probably.

it can not stay right next to the house ... and simply cutting it down will not kill it ...

you could probably move it in fall .. once it goes dormant .. but i suspect you could find the momma tree within the range of the vermin who planted this for you ... maybe you dont need another one ...

otherwise... cut it to the ground and use a stump killer to kill it in place ...

ken

I'm in North Carolina, zone 7b. I dont see another tree like this around so who knows how it got here.

thanks for the replies!

whenever i see a tree that close to the house.. i look up to see the eave or gutter.. and usually wonder to myself ... what sat there and dropped the seed ... nuts are not wind borne ... so there has to be an animal involved ... and the mother tree has to be around ..... and if your nuts go wind borne.. well.. you most likely have bigger problems than the seedlings.. lol ... :)

for future reference.. there is a name that plant forum ... otherwise post wherever you want.. i dont care ...

ken

Probably squirrels :-) Squirrels "plant" horse chestnuts all over my property as they stash the conkers for winter feasts. Part of my routine spring clean up is to remove the seedlings that appear everywhere, including my potted containers!