Tree problem!

Black_Cat2

We have a silver birch close to our house, flipping annoying as it sheds stuff periodically.  If it's not leaves and branches it's small brown pollen things that go everywhere!  On a positive note it is very tall and beautiful when the light shines through and the wind rustles the leaves (similar to twopenny).  I moan about clearing up after it but would rather live with it than not.  No root issues here and we have paving 🐈

MoneySeeker1

TUVOK said:

Thanks for all replies.
The shade that the tree gives is a real annoyance but the other worry that I have is the extent of the tree roots.
On all home insurance policies there is a question asking how near your house is the nearest tree, with I expect a penalty if you do have such a situation?
The tree in question is only about 20 yards away, at the top of the tree it already has spread its branches over my boundary, albeit that the tree is now approximately 100 feet high .
Does this make any difference?

Following that point with interest - as I've often thought that it's fair enough for an insurance company to be bothered if it's ones own tree. But, on the other hand, surely an insurance company couldn't in any way penalise someone for any trees the neighbours have got nearby (as that isn't under one's own control).

Logic/fairness would indicate that an insurance company would be entitled to query a tall tree 10' from the house that was in one's own garden - but the exact same tree the exact same distance that was located in a neighbours garden would surely not count (well - it would - but it would be against the neighbours insurance and not one's own)?

Brambling

It will depend on the insurance company but I don't remember being asked about nearby trees on for building insurance although they will ask about any subsidence history which may lead to questions on trees

Things may have changed as it's been 7 years since I worked for a insurance company but it used to be the case if your neighbours tree caused your property damage ie falling on your house/car you claimed it on your own insurance (your insurance company may then try to claim it back from theirs and you could ask your neighbour for the excess).  It's also difficult to claim back if your neighbours tree roots have caused problems with your drains although i did read once about  taking DNA samples to prove which tree the roots came from, not sure if that every progressed, one of the reasons was to ensure the wrong tree was not taken down especially if the tree had a TPO.  After all the insurance company doesn't care whose tree it is, only if it is close enough to cause damage which will cost them money ...........