Acacia tree advice please

AlwaysHappy

We have a large acacia tree in our front garden, and our drive has some cracks in it from the roots I assume. I am concerned that if it has done that to the drive, what is it doing to the foundations of the house? We have had a tree surgeon to chop it back who has said that the roots wont be causing any damage, does anyone have any knowledge of these trees, I'm a born worrier............. Many thanks in advance

Davesnave

No answers because you're asking an impossible question.

No one here knows exactly how large the tree is, or where its roots end, and even you don't seem too sure yourself whether they are damaging the drive.

The identity of the tree is another question mark, as there are two types of tree that go by the name of 'acacia,' although they're quite different.

I will hazard a guess that this is not an acacia, but a Robinia psuedoacacia; a tree that does have invasive roots near the surface and could well damage drives. If it is, then even cutting it down might not be sufficient to kill it, because its main method of propagation is by suckers.

It's plain daft that Robinia has been used as a street tree throughout Southern England, especially as branches fall off without warning from time to time! Nevertheless it is the 'Acacia' of all the Acacia Avenues.

I'm not a tree expert, and although I've had a Robinia, that still doesn't qualify me to say anything about yours. I'm just some random bloke on the internet. If you'd rather believe me than someone qualified, who saw the tree first hand, then fine, I would have it cut down and work on destroying the roots.

One thing I'm sure of, it isn't going to get any smaller.

AlwaysHappy

Thanks for the reply, and yes, you are quite right, I asked an impossible question to answer on hindsight. My husband loves the tree and doesn't want it cut down, but I think I may get another "in person" opinion first to put my mind at rest.