I am getting close to completion on the construction of a new home on a lot near the river in Moorhead. The previous home was built in the early 90's and was removed as part of Moorhead's flood control buy-out program. After the construction of the dike the city resold several lots and mine is one of these. The lot has many trees, with several ornamental trees including a white birch tree with 3 trunks. I assume it was planted at the time the original house was built as it is fairly large and mature. However, it now appears only 1 of the 3 trunks is thriving. One trunk has obviously been dead for some time as there are no branches on it. I am certain the second dead trunk had leaves last year, but it is not budding this spring.
The new driveway has ended up very close to the tree (less than 2 feet from the edge of the concrete) and the tree roots were dug up on that side of the tree in order to pour the driveway (which was done just 2 days ago). Over the course of construction, some branches of the tree were broken by the excavators/dump trunks.
My question is, should I attempt to keep the tree with a single healthy trunk or would it be wise to remove it now before final landscaping when it would be easy to pull the stump? I would prefer to keep the tree, but it doesn't seem like a viable option.
I appreciate any help you can provide.