By Margaux Maxwell

They may beautify our neighborhoods, but some tree’s roots can cause serious problems for homeowners.

As old Somerville city trees are spreading their roots into private homeowners foundations and pipes, the city seems to be lacking a consistent policy on how to deal with the rights of private citizens versus public property.

At a meeting on Thursday, January 28 of the Board of Aldermen, members voiced disagreement about whether homeowners are allowed to cut invasive tree roots crossing into their property lines, costing residents hefty fines to fix ruined pipes and basement foundations.

“I’m surprised there hasn’t been a lawsuit about the costly damages caused by the trees,” said Board President Alderman William A. White Jr.

Many residents have complained that the roots have caused expensive damage and will potentially impact the re-sale of their property, Alderman Katjana Ballantyne of Ward 7 noted. She has yet to release the location of those trees.

According to reports, residents at 25 Meacham Street have asked the city for assistance with a tree whose roots are growing into their basement.

“The tree has caused the family a lot of hardship,” said White.

Jaclyn Rossetti, spokesperson for the City of Somerville, did not express the same uncertainly voiced in the meeting, saying, “Tree roots, by their nature, cannot penetrate pipes, foundation, or other like structures. Because roots will and do seek out any form of water with which to sustain themselves, if a crack, however small, exists in these structures, it will grow toward and into it, exacerbating an existing issue. For these reasons, it is and has been the city’s position that the property owner is responsible for the damages to and on their properties.”

Steve McEachern, Tree Warden of Somerville, has not commented on the issue.

Massachusetts Law allows residents to trim tree limbs and roots that spill onto their property that belong to their neighbor, but not if that tree belongs to the city. Chapter 87 of Massachusetts General Law does not permit the trimming of city trees deemed as healthy by a certified arborist.

Suggestions were made at the Board of Aldermen meeting to plant urban trees in Somerville with a limited root system. What will happen with the weighty fines for Somerville residents is yet to be determined.