Tall tree in garden, what are the complications?

hshen

Hi,

I'm in the middle of purchasing a house with a tall (~10m high) horse chestnut tree in the back garden. Within about 5-7m of the roof.

The surveyor suggested that I get a specialist to take a look etc.
I suspect this is just a backside covering exercise as the tree seems very rooted and cared for.

Most of the branches is in my garden, but I can see bits crossing over to the neighbours' side of fence. I suspect because the branches are very high up it shouldn't cause too much of a problem.

My question is the kind of upkeep required for a tree this size and what kind of things can go wrong.

I know this is a factor getting building insurance, which I'm fine with. Are there any other factors I should think about?
e.g. any special insurance, laws, council rules etc

Thank you.

Hammyman

The branches aren't what you need to worry about - its the roots. How far away from the house is it?

Pigster_2

Also very relevant is whether the house is on clay or not.

myhouse_2

Don't forget the leaves in autumn - can be a bit of a nightmare!

BitterAndTwisted

How close to the house is this tree? Generally the roots and the area they cover underground will echo what you see above ground.

Caroline_a

Horse chestnuts can grow to up to 30m with a spread of around the same. This would put a large proportion of your garden in shade, meaning that you could grow little underneath it, even grass. I'd check that there isnt a tree order on it, and have it cut down and replaced with something more suitable.

Loanranger

If the tree has a tree preservation order then you'll be restricted on what you can do to it, pruning or lopping, and you'll need permission from the local council before you do anything
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Planning/ThePlanningSystem/DG_10025970
Check with the council to find out if the tree has a TPO.

Loanranger

Caroline_a wrote: »

Horse chestnuts can grow to up to 30m with a spread of around the same. This would put a large proportion of your garden in shade, meaning that you could grow little underneath it, even grass. I'd check that there isnt a tree order on it, and have it cut down and replaced with something more suitable.

I agree with Caroline.
Sorry, cross posting!

hshen

The tree is approx 5 metres away from the house. 3-4 metres from the patio.
Patio is hovering above ground.

From memory the area immediately surrounding the tree is higher than the rest due to root growth, approx 1.5m in diameter.

I'm fine with the leaves and not been able to grow anything.
The garden is fairly small and paved with stone at the moment.

I do like trees and prefer not having to cut it down if I don't have to...
Should I get a specialist in to take a look?

hshen

Loanranger wrote: »

If the tree has a tree preservation order then you'll be restricted on what you can do to it, pruning or lopping, and you'll need permission from the local council before you do anything
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Planning/ThePlanningSystem/DG_10025970
Check with the council to find out if the tree has a TPO.

Thanks I'm going to ask my solicitor to check this out.

BitterAndTwisted

hshen wrote: »

The tree is approx 5 metres away from the house. I do like trees and prefer not having to cut it down if I don't have to...
Should I get a specialist in to take a look?

I would, that tree sounds much too close to the house and I'd be worrying about what it might be doing to the foundations.