Is it safe to buy a property situated close to tall radiata pine trees?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Is it safe to buy a property situated close to tall radiata pine trees?

heavenlywild

5064 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#288708 17-Jul-2021 20:02

As per the subject line.

I am considering purchasing an off-the-plan property in a new subdivision. My wife mentioned the very tall radiata pine trees across what will be the backyard fence, which is where a large farm is.

Since my wife mentioned the possibility of these trees becoming hazardous, I am wondering if anyone can shed any light.

No one will know if a tree may get struck by lightening or fall over, but considering the size of these trees there may be some risk.

Considering the future property is in a new subdivision, would they have needed to carry out risk assessments?

1 | 2

2056 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2745983 17-Jul-2021 20:42

Which direction does the prevailing wind blow? Do the trees lean over the boundary or grow over the boundary (both above and below the ground)?

What is the soil type? Are they bushy trees, or have they been pruned (either limbs totally off, or cut back to form a hedge/windbreak?

Are they going to block your sun at any stage during the year?

Without looking at the trees, and knowing at least some of the information above, it's very hard to give you an opinion.

Pines aren't renowned for randomly dropping limbs in the same way as say some species of gum are, however they occasionally can uproot in very strong winds, depending on the soil type.

andrewNZ

2487 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2745992 17-Jul-2021 21:28

Another thing to consider. Pine tree needles poison the ground to stop other plants competing with them.

If you plan to grow something where the pine tree is dropping needles, you might have a hard time.

heavenlywild

5064 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2745995 17-Jul-2021 21:38

Thanks for the feedback.

I'll need to confirm the type of trees. They are the typical ones you see on farmland - very straight and tall.

Batman

Mad Scientist
29771 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2746057 17-Jul-2021 22:51

i won't worry. soon the farm will be gone with more development. yes there is a risk but there is a risk with everything.

colinuu

246 posts

Master Geek

#2746062 17-Jul-2021 23:59

Given that you have some concerns, talk to the developer about it. If you don't like the answers then stay away. And/or talk to the landowner about having the trees felled. Sometimes a firewood operator will do the job at no cost...

Also, in case either of you suffer any respiratory issues it would pay to stay away from pine plantations.

tdgeek

29753 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2746080 18-Jul-2021 08:31

Trees suck up a lot of water and nutrients. Storm wise, look at where its all going, mass floods in Marlborough and West Coast. The weather will get rougher and rougher

Bung

6501 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#2746145 18-Jul-2021 09:00

colinuu: Sometimes a firewood operator will do the job at no cost...

Also, in case either of you suffer any respiratory issues it would pay to stay away from pine plantations.

Those days may be gone. Often the firewood operators already have access to cut logs.

Staying away could be nigh on impossible in many areas. We have forests about 3-4kms to north & south. Neighbour has problems at pollen time. I cut our 2 pine trees because the needles blocked all our gutters.

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

gzt

17160 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2746188 18-Jul-2021 11:11

heavenlywild: They are the typical ones you see on farmland - very straight and tall.

In the best case this means the trees are well maintained and intended for milling long before end of life or earlier.

gzt

17160 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2746189 18-Jul-2021 11:13

You'll need to add a photo or two for accurate comment.

heavenlywild

5064 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2747364 20-Jul-2021 23:01

Yes, here are the photos of where the house is to be built.

heavenlywild

5064 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2747365 20-Jul-2021 23:03

What worries me is the fact that there is a thick layer of pine needles by the fence. However, I wonder whether they were deliberately spread across when they took some pines down to avoid the need to move them away?

Updated: image below. It shows the pine needles in other areas far away from the fence which is to the left of this picture. The house I am looking to purchase and build on is to the very left.

trig42

5816 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2747398 21-Jul-2021 08:21

It almost looks like they felled a few to build that fence (hence all the dead needles).

They don't look that worrying to me. We used to have a house with a whole heap of them over the back fence and apart from nothing being able to grow in that back part of the property because of the pine needles, they were great at blocking the southerly winds.

tdgeek

29753 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2747455 21-Jul-2021 08:34

heavenlywild:

Pine needles are fine, I actually read this the other day, so passing it on

As pine trees mature, they shed needles that lie like an acidic carpet around their trunks. A myth exists that this gradually causes the soil to become acidic, killing nearby plants. In fact, however, pine tree needles barely affect the soil pH even when worked into the soil for that purpose.

heavenlywild

5064 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2747459 21-Jul-2021 08:49

Good to read that this may not be a massive issue.

This is a noob question and I guess depending on wind speed and direction, but how far can these pine needles travel when they fall?

I'm thinking about the potential for gutter issues in the future.

tdgeek

29753 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2747463 21-Jul-2021 08:56

@Bung said

We have forests about 3-4kms to north & south. Neighbour has problems at pollen time. I cut our 2 pine trees because the needles blocked all our gutters.

1 | 2