That is always sad, but could be 100 reasons. Roots can destroy foundation, septic if there is one, or destroy the house if it falls/is rotted and a hazard. All that would cost way more than AC costs
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True, we took down a maple a couple years ago that was one of the oldest the tree company had ever done. Just becoming a liability to our structures and the neighbors if it ever were to fall. The stump was easily 6ft in diameter.