If the foundation is solid - structurally sound/no cracks - then there is zero risk of root damage. Most damaged foundations occur as a result of soil subsidence, not because of tree roots. Most trees - pines included - do not have aggressive root systems and if a root encounters an obstacle, it just changes direction. It does not try to penetrate a solid object :-)

I do not think I have ever seen a round headed pine tree like that. But that is not why I want to chop it down. I want to chop it down because it is crowding the sidewalk and rubbing on the building. The concertina wire on top of the fence also makes me think of a climate where a pine tree is a giant fireball just waiting to happen. The tree has demerits.

If a definitive ID of the pine can be made with a good explanation for the roundness, then the possibility that the tree can be pruned to a narrower shape might be determined.

You can always plant a better tree for that space as a compromise.

I’m not convinced it is a pine at all. A close up of the foliage would help id it. Personally I think the tree is the most interesting thing in that streetscape which would otherwise be harsh and unshaded.

Regardless of what type of tree it is, it has grown too large for the location. It should come out.

You mentioned root caused damage, however it is also causing damage to the siding on the building. One form of damage will be from abrasion as the tree moves in the wind. This will only get worse as the tree gets larger. Also mold and mildew can be a problem.

PS I am not a treehugger and normally am against cutting trees down. In this situations, I see no other solution.

The branches against the building could be cut back....

in other words.. generally speaking .... trees do NOT CREATE problems.. but can take advantage of pre-exissting problems ...

wish we could ID the pine.. so we might understand its full future potential ... and that is the info that might dictate whether its best to be done with it now .. rather than when .. lets say.. its taller than the buildings.. and frankly 10 feet inside your apartment ...

just curious.. where are you.. city name. ..

ken

Can you post a clearer picture of the tree so that we can give you proper advice!

It may not have to be removed; just a heavy pruning based upon thr tree type.

Doesn’t the person whose patio is shaded have anything to say about this? Do they want to lose their privacy and be exposed to the sun?

If this is an apartment building or condo, In 99% of the cases, the person whose apartment is shaded, has NO say in the maintenance of the building and yard.

To me it looks like the tree is too big for the space. You can trim it, but the branches will just keep growing back. No way to tell what's happening underground. I kind of side with the HOA. Why take a risk with the foundation? You can put something on your balcony to block the other side of the street.

The apt building looks like a jail. Keep it and hide as much of the building as possible.

Well I'm on the HOA board so I have a say in what to do and I live on the balcony and want the shade from the tree, so my preference is to keep it but to trim it down some, but I also don't know if the foundation IS at risk from the tree or if it's just a hypothetical.

Here's another pic of the tree. I called a tree company and they said it's an "Italian Stone Pine", but would have to come out for a consultation for a fee to make an assessment.

This is the distance from the building to the fence (where the tree is just outside of).

It could be limbed up a bit but otherwise I see absolutely no reason to destroy that beautiful tree. If they’re good enough for Rome .....

Rome probably burned once or twice too. Do Not Trim the tree down. Limb the tree up. Remove the bottom branches. Use an arborist. The foundation concern is a hypothetical and was answered at the top.

I'll have to go read up on Italian Stone Pine. The image of rounded pine canopies in Rome is in my head. Those were mature trees. Yours looks much younger. It has some growing to do.

I still need a good explanation for this round pine.

Oh my goodness I just googled Italian stone pines and see pictures of beautiful umbrella and other shape pruned pines. This is an opportunity to shape it to meet your needs. Do not cut this tree down! Treat it as a previous asset for the building and the streetscspesow. Hire the best arborist to do it justice.

Italian stone pines grow in that umbrella shape naturally. They are not pruned into that shape. All this one needs is a bit of limbing up. It would be vandalism to remove it. It absolutely is a ’precious asset’.

Spent the money to have the local tree company come give advice.

I still think it should come out. Between the street (sidewalk?) and the building there is not space to allow this tree to stay there. Does the HOA have control of the actual building, ie total maintenance, insurance, etc, or to they control the occupants interaction with the building owners?

use this link to find an ARBORIST.. rather than some chainsaw company ... use the right professional.. since you are spending HOA funds ..

ken

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=isa+tree&ia=web