2 Questions: Are roots from oaks invasive and can you put a dollar value on a thirty year old oak tree?

Question

I live in an established townhome area where there are oak trees (mostly tall white oak) near the swimming pool behind my home. There are sidewalks near the pool that need to be replaced/repaired and the townhome management wants to remove a number of oak trees citing "safety" concerns and stating the treeroots are posing a problem. There is no damage to the pool or the cement decking around the pool. The trees are midway between my place and the pool, perhaps 15 feet to the trees and another 15 ft to the pool. There is no damage to my patio area and the trees have not caused any damage to the drains or water pipes as far as I know. These are tall, strong trees and great cover for my patio which faces west.

Answer 1

Sounds like you need to call in a "consulting arborist", probably one with asca or isa certification.

http://www.asca-consultants.org/

http://www.isa-arbor.com/home.aspx

Yes, trees definitely have value -- healthy, established trees in good locations are worth quite a bit in home resale value.  On the other hand, poorly cared for or sited trees can be a detriment.

This is likely one I'd fight tooth and nail if those trees are healthy -- my suspicion is your management is nervous of any tree over 10 ft tall.  

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_man...

http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/QUEALBA.pdf

http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/...