big tree close to property - risky?

squinz

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I'm very interested in this property but a bit concerned about the large tree outside the front. on viewing the house, there was nothing really obvious in or outside the house but the wall next to the tree is cracked and looks as if will fall down soon.

would this put you off? its a 1940s house and owner says no issues so far.

marksoton

That really isn't a big tree. And it looks like a single skim dwarf wall. Bad weather would have that over quicker than the tree.

So no, it wouldn't.

robatwork

Nice tree. You worry too much.

eddddy

It might be sensible to have the tree pruned (crown reduced), and then re-done at 5 to 10 year intervals.

You can check whether it has a Tree Preservation Order, but I doubt it would. It doesn't look like it "brings significant amenity benefit to the local area".

discat11

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=225

I think it also depends on the type of tree also -some have far longer roots than others.

SailorSam

My road was blocked off while they were chopping trees down a few weeks ago. They were perhaps 50'/60' high and they've taken away 6 of them. There are still more of them left. The worst one had twin trunks growing sideways which at some time in the past had been cut to about 4' but were growing into my neighbours drive/garage and had knocked a wall down. She told me they had been fighting with solicitors in Manchester for over 25yrs trying to get them removed. There's been some sort of dispute to who actually owned the land.
It was funny the day they were here, the men had put signs up both ends of the road but we still had cars flying down the road and suddenly slamming on the brakes when they realised there was a crane as big as you'd get on the docks, in front of them.

squinz

As you might have guessed, I know nothing about trees. I thought it might be the roots more than anything else as heard they can cause problems.

Thank you for the replies

Chanes

eddddy wrote: »

It might be sensible to have the tree pruned (crown reduced), and then re-done at 5 to 10 year intervals.

You can check whether it has a Tree Preservation Order, but I doubt it would. It doesn't look like it "brings significant amenity benefit to the local area".

You would be astounded at what trees have tpo's always, always check the council register or give them a ring. But if you give them a ring be wary they may spontaneously place a tpo while they investigate and as you will know they are incredibly difficult to have lifted.

Chanes

If it hasn't been mentioned, sometimes cutting a tree down can cause serious damage as the roots shrink back; anything they have grown into can be moved with them. I read that in an article once.

marksoton

Chanes wrote: »

You would be astounded at what trees have tpo's always, always check the council register or give them a ring. But if you give them a ring be wary they may spontaneously place a tpo while they investigate and as you will know they are incredibly difficult to have lifted.

And which don't conversely.

We're about to fell 3 mature Oaks. The developer was happy to make it 4.

Plain wrong in my opinion. And as you allude to all subject to a council workers whim.

eddddy

Chanes wrote: »

If it hasn't been mentioned, sometimes cutting a tree down can cause serious damage as the roots shrink back; anything they have grown into can be moved with them. I read that in an article once.

I think you've mis-remembered the article. You're probably thinking of soil heave.

As trees grow bigger, they suck more water out of the soil through their roots. This can cause the soil to shrink. If that soil is underneath a house, the house might move/sink (subside).

But if you cut down the trees, there will be more water left in the soil, and that might make the soil swell. If this swelling soil is underneath a house, it might push the house upwards (heave).

Hence the safest advice is often to prune the trees, to maintain the status quo - rather than cut them down completely.