The Root Is The Problem

Trees are nice. They provide shade. They make noise when the wind blows. They give squirrels a place to scamper. They add beauty to the landscape. In general, I like trees, altho not the squirrels so much.
But trees have roots (thank you Mr. Quincey for biology). And those roots drill their way into water and sewer lines. I don't know exactly how long they had been drilling into the lines at mom and dad's house, but it had been awhile. The plumber tried to clear the pipe, but it was solid tree roots for 12' or more. So, a new sewer line was in order. Not what anyone, except the plumber, wanted.
And then there are the roots spreading underneath the house, breaking apart the foundation. And the roots that are toppling the fence. And raising the sidewalk to new heights.
All in all, I love trees and hate to see the stress they're under in the drought. But you can have the roots. (I realize it doesn't work that way.)