We have oaks, maples and birch all around the house in the north but they grow slowly and are at least 20' from the foundation.
When we came to Florida we found a lovely little tree called an African Orchid, full of beautiful blooms. We planted it 3/4 down on the other side of the driveway. In a few years that "little" tree abundant with orchids dwarfed our house. Everyone stopped to admire it. One day while standing on the driveway we heard a big c r a c k I n g sound. We looked and saw the driveway cracked from side to side! We followed it to the edge and there was a root growing from the now giant tree measuring about 10 inches wide that grew slightly above ground and under the driveway towards our septic tank! The root was huge. Down came that gorgeous tree though we hated to do it. In Florida everything grows quicker. Now we plant bushes and small trees/plants to feed the birds and butterflies and get information about what we plant and purchase beforehand. We notice many here plant decorator trees that don't help feed the world outside our door and wonder where all the butterflies, hummingbirds and birds have gone that most of us love to have around.
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