House searching - tree growing in wall?

Chrisuk78

I need some advice.

I’m currently house searching, and recently saw a Victorian terrace which needs a lot of work. Complete upgrade needed. New kitchen, bathroom, garden etc. Still didn’t put me off.

I saw the property and could see a lot of potential, but one thing caught my eye while looking at the rear bedroom. There appeared to be a grey branch growing(?) out of the windowsill on the outside. The EA didn’t seem to know anything about it, and thought it was maybe a branch that has blown there.

I really like the property, and would like to take on the project but the possibility that a tree is growing in the wall is really concerning. Properties like this tend to go really quickly in this area, but this is still on the market over two weeks later. Maybe other buyers have been scared off aswell?

Has anyone come across this problem before? And if there is a tree growing through the wall is it an expensive job to fix?

Thanks
Chris

csnann

If the windowsill is rotten, its possible that a seedling could have taken root in it. If you are replacing the windows anyway, it shouldn't be difficult to get rid of , it won't have grown into the whole wall.

jonewer

Probably a Budliea growing out of a crack in the windowsill.


Not a major problem compared to the expense on new kitchens and bathrooms etc.

Dr._Shoe

Did you try pulling it out when you saw it?

Chrisuk78

Thanks for the responses. Maybe not as big deal as I thought it could be then.

Maybe i'll arrange a 2nd viewing.

Dr._Shoe wrote: »

Did you try pulling it out when you saw it?

The window only opened from the top so couldn't reach it.

DaftyDuck

Take a photo using a zoom lens. Borrow a real camera if necessary. Post the results here, and we'll tell you in our amateur opinion if it is a problem. (Repost the picture in the gardening forum here, and we'll identify your foliage as well ....)