Thanks for the feedback everyone. After reading people's comments and talking with my wife we have decided to leave it this year and address the issue within the next two springs or falls- maybe cut it down next summer and wait to replace it. The picture I took of this tree faces north. To the south of the tree is a red maple, very young about 2" diameter. This is about 35-45 feet from the Norway. To the NE of the Norway we plan to plant a Swamp White Oak (again, 35-45 feet away) next spring. I imagine the canopy on the maple and oak will get quite big eventually (15-25 years, but still) and we don't want it to look like a giant shade blanket is cast over 1/2 of our yard. We've decided to replace the Norway with a smaller tree- perhaps an American Hornbeam. With a smaller tree in between I think that balances things out nicely, and the Hornbeam is a natural tree to the area If we keep the maple, yes, I won't have to deal with shade or root issues for 20 years or so. But I or whoever is living here will have to eventually, and that's a headache that I just don't want to deal with. Why not plan ahead. What boggles my mind is the previous owners literally planted it 7' from the corner of the home in the flower bed. What on earth were they thinking? We are also moving a crabapple tree next year from opposite end flower bed (again 7' from the house) and extending the flower bed and putting a dogwood tree in. Not sure what to do with the crabapple. I think it is a Donald Wyman, but I can't be sure. I may relocate that to the edge of my property so I can still enjoy the flowers but not have to worry about the fruit.

A blanket statement that worms do not belong in North America is simply wrong. But that's not what the writer of the Boston Globe article, nor the researchers interviewed have stated. What they have stated is that the forests in what had been glaciated areas (ie., the forests northeast of New Jersey) evolved earthwormless, and developed into ecosystems where a thick duff layer always existed, and so had a variety of organisms that depended (& still depend) upon that duff layer for existence. The earthworms destroy that duff layer, radically altering the forest by diminishing its habitat quality.

YES YOU CAN .. BUT IT WILL BE A BATTLE.. I CAN ALREADY SEE .. oopps ... surface roots ... any soil you add will be invaded by this tree... only the most vigorous hosta will survive ... like the undulata clan ... or maybe sum and substance .... plant bigger plants into the area .... build a retaining wall ... add only native soil .. try not to cut any maple roots .... every cut root will generate a billion new feeder roots which will out compete most hosta for soil/water and life .... never fertilize ... and always broadcast water .... if you do any of the above only for the hosta.. the tree will grow into and kill the hosta .... add the crumbiest soil you can buy .. and plant the hosta into it before the tree knows its there .. do not go above the green line with soil .. the tree trunk flare must remain above the soil .... if it were me.. and i planned on living at the house forever.. I WOULD KILL THE MAPLE AND PLANT AN OAK ..... here is your picture with a poorly drawn example ... lol ... of what i am trying to explain .... i will not leave it online forever .... so download it if it is important to you .... good luck ken

I have a mulch pile about 3 feet high next to one of my remaining large silver maples. If you dig down about 6-8 inches in the mulch you can start pulling silver maple roots out by the 5 gallon pail full. So it went with my hostas that were planted under a now deceased silver maple in less than 2 months their total root system had been invaded and was also starting to be conquered. I have heard all the stories of the beautiful gardens under the silver maple before...I only know how it went for me. And yes I broadcasted both the fertilizer and the water over the whole area not just on the hostas and perennials. Also my Maples are huge about 50+ feet tall--not immature specimens with plenty of other room to stretch their greedy roots. You will never hear me mourn for a dead silver maple...I will celebrate their demise. Plenty of other Good Trees out there... I pull weeds also even though they are alive and green. Sorry If I Offended.