An oft-repeated question we receive is whether there is any problem with planting trees very close to our houses. A quick and specific answer is difficult to give because several factors have to be taken into consideration. It is believed that Prince Siddhartha sat below a banyan tree in Bodh Gaya, attained self-enlightenment, and became the Buddha. That tree stands there even today although it is difficult for us to locate its original trunk. It stretches over many sq. km and its roots too have spread far and deep. Perhaps it is a tree that was planted by someone else later. Nevertheless, this is a single tree gone wild! This means a tree can grow to whatever extent possible. But we can control it. If we set up a forest in a four-, five- or 10-cent plot or close to our house, we cannot permit trees to grow as they please. That may lead to accidents. For instance, a huge mango tree close to the house can be knocked down by strong winds and cause a lot of damage. Usually, mango trees in Kerala don’t topple over. But teaks do, possibly because of the weight of their leaves. In order to avoid such mishaps, trees should be pruned and their size restricted.
I do not permit the trees in my house compound to branch out until they grow at least six feet tall. After that, depending on their location, they are allowed to grow up to 12-15 feet. If they are close to the house, I don’t allow them to grow above 10 feet. I cut their crown, taking care to maintain a 45 degree slant while slicing the trunk. This is to make sure rain water does not seep into the trunk but flows down immediately. After a while, small branches will sprout at the top. However, we should see to it that the tree does not dry up. This can be done by retaining a small branch while chopping off the crown. In Delhi, you will see avenue trees that are 150 years old. Their trunks are not as thick as those of the mahogany trees you may see in Thiruvananthapuram. They were carefully selected for this specific purpose and maintained at that height.
The same method can be adopted with all trees. If you have a two-acre plot, you can have a very big forest, and plant the wild jack, the teak, the jackfruit tree and so on. But trees in a four- or five- cent plot or planted close to the house will have to be trimmed regularly. Such a forest is sustainable because trees that are only 12 or 15 feet tall will never fall. So when is your house in danger? If a teak planted close to your concrete house falls, it will only lean against the building. It is when the tree falls to the ground that the greatest damage is done. If it stands two or three feet from your house, while it falls, it will move four feet, and lean against the structure. But if a huge tree, 15 feet from the house, falls, it will collapse on the house and harm it. However, short trees close to the house will not cause damage.
The next issue is whether its roots will destroy the concrete. Usually only banyan trees are known to wreck the foundation. But that happens only when it sprouts there. Since we mostly plant trees below the plane of the foundation, the threat is not there. The only exception is the bamboo. It spreads everywhere and as new branches shoot up from below the soil, they can do damage to buildings or walls. Therefore trees, whose new sprouts emerge from their roots, should not be planted near your house. We shall show you how to cut trees. This is to caution you against cultivating an emotional attitude towards trees. Our approach should be a practical one. Only then can we protect and take the project forward.
As a tree-lover it would make no sense to plant heavy trees close to your house and create an opportunity for them to fall on your house and destroy your entire life savings. Grow only such trees close to your house that you can control. I have planted flowering trees near my house. They will not grow higher than 10-15 feet, and even if they fall, they will cause no harm. A house with tiled roof will suffer more damage from a falling tree branch than a concrete roofed house. Thus, depending on the location, the type of land, the availability of space for afforestation and the structure of the house, we should choose the right kind of trees.