This is a sour-orange tree, far too close to my house, which must be 30 or so years old. About 10 years ago I cut it back drastically to do the roof work. I'd really prefer if it wasn't past the height of the faschia, but I don't want to kill it, and the orchid (which blooms in my window 3x a year) is above the point I'd originally intended to cut the tree to (lower crooks). I'm in the Tropics at 18ºN. Does anyone have advice?
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.This is off-topic but I had to comment. I LOVE the texture that was created from the various patches. In my mind I can picture the exterior done in a few hues of a color, any color. It's very charming.
MizJ
Level 8
Apr 3, 2020
2
Haha, I was about to comment on the house too and not on any recommendations 
Me, too, there's a fairy-tale magic to it!
Is your concern for the health of the tree or the structural health of the house? How old is the structure and what is the construction? I'm guessing stone or double brick with a lime plaster finish but you will be able to tell just be checking it out as there are lots of plaster patches in evidence.
I'm a retired master builder with more than a decade of experience on large projects in the Caribbean. I can help you with the building but the tree not so much, although sour orange is a bit of a weed tree and probably would withstand a severe pruning and still come back. Ask your local gardener, they will know best.
Surfpirate
Level 9
Apr 3, 2020
1
@Allamanda I hear you, I agonize over taking down any trees but sour oranges are pretty hardy and may actually benefit from a good pruning. I wouldn't want it banging into the new roof in a hurricane as it could possibly open up the roof envelope which would be awful in a hurricane CAT 3 or worse. I had rather guessed that it would be a rubble foundation with no real footing, not really necessary in a climate with no frost but maybe the odd tremblor.
Are there any vertical or horizontal cracks in the wall near the sour orange? That would indicate that the roots may be undermining the wall and that is not good, horizontal cracks are worse than vertical cracks but neither is good. If you see them then you want to cut down the tree immediately and drill some holes in the stump, pour an herbicide to make sure it does sprout.
The house has withstood the test of time but it does need some TLC, even just cutting out the rotten mortar and repointing the stonework will go a long way to keeping it whole. Labour is usually pretty reasonable in the island so you may want to sub that out unless you are comfortable with a trowel and the back breaking labour of mixing mortar. If you decide to go ahead on your own then you can tackle it a wheelbarrow load of mortar at a time, mix it with a heavy duty hand drill and it will save your back.
@Allamanda It's a good job for the rainy season, slows the cure of the mortar and extends the working time of the batch. Even if you just do it a bag at a time on the worst spots it will help. I'm guessing the sour orange will have to go however.
The islands can be hit and miss when it comes to labour, Mustique I had good workers for $2 to $4 per hour but in Bermuda I had to make do with local labour that was often referred to as Hide and Seek for $1,000 a week. 
Good luck, love the small house build project.
Unless I had evidence it was causing some particular harm, I'd probably trim the branches closest to the house, and let the branches farthest away grow, at least for a while. In particular, I'd not want it touching the roof.
skado
Level 9
Apr 3, 2020
1
I think the tree must go. It may be interfering with your foundation.
BTW, I think you house might make a good study for an oil painting.
itsmedammit
Level 8
Apr 3, 2020
1
@Allamanda Still, the structure of the building may be in peril.
The house seems very old - what's your intention with its' future?
If you value keeping the house in tact, you'll have to remove it.
The roots might be penetrating your foundation for moisture -including busting in to your pipes.
Sadly; I'd recommend a total removal; first a cut close to the ground, then work to get out the stump; obviously it has regenerative capabilities.
Robecology
Level 9
Apr 3, 2020
0
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