What is the name of this tree please? Can it damage my house?

FreeBear

ArbitraryRandom said:

FreeBear said:

ArbitraryRandom said:

A shame because it's such a lovely tree.

No it isn't.

We'll have to disagree on that one - I love sitting in the shade of a tree.

Don't get me wrong - I like trees too. Have a Snow Gum and a couple of Cherry Plums for shade (the latter producing bonus fruit) along with a few other fruit trees. I wouldn't be averse to a Corkscrew Willow growing somewhere out in the Fens, but not in an urban environment.

Dustyevsky

FreeBear said:

ArbitraryRandom said:

FreeBear said:

ArbitraryRandom said:

A shame because it's such a lovely tree.

No it isn't.

We'll have to disagree on that one - I love sitting in the shade of a tree.

Don't get me wrong - I like trees too. Have a Snow Gum

You may not like that for long! They might be evergreen, but the leaves change and they take years to decompose. The bark it sheds is another down-side. Finally, it doesn't listen when you tell it to stop growing.

On the plus side, it's good firewood!

Sarahspangles

fryderykchopin said:

Rosalynda said:

It's a willow. We had one a lot smaller. Twisted willow i think it's called. 

Thanks, this has helped me find the exact name. I think it's called Red Twisted Willow (Salix Erythroflexuosa). Actually a type of tree to avoid in small gardens. I think I will have to get it removed, much to my regret.

It's not that one, it's Salix babylonica var. pekinensis 'Tortuosa'.

A long time ago now, my job with a Council included giving advice on trees, and if I'd been asked by you or your neighbour this is the standard letter you would have got! Councils are often contacted because neighbours can't agree about the suitability/risks of a tree - they don't really need to be involved if the tree isn't protected/worthy of protection, but will give general advice because trees make communities liveable.

This tree is not the best choice for a small to medium size garden. It may have been purchased at a garden centre as an attractive small tree in a pot, by someone who didn't appreciate how large it could grow long term. It will actually grow larger than the one that you thought it was - it almost certainly hasn't reached its full height or spread. Willows are thirsty trees whose roots can spread and they can damage drains or foundations if they are close to them.  

However, there's no urgency to remove it if it's not currently causing a problem. The UK needs more trees so we'd encourage you to plant one or two for every tree you remove. If possible, get a new one established for a couple of years before removing a tree - but consider where the old tree will fall if it is felled, and plan for this. Ideally choose a tree that won't outgrow its space and that will support native wildlife. Talk to neighbours about your plans, your trees will be part of their view so it's good to prepare them for change.

As a rule of thumb, plant a tree at least as far from a structure as its projected height. Not because there's a likely risk of the tree falling on the house, but because roots typically extend to a diameter equivalent to the height of a tree, in normal garden conditions.

Great trees for small to medium gardens include blossom or fruit trees like apples and pears, small acers and rowan trees, or there are lots more ideas here https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/trees/smaller-gardens. Check the label or a website like the RHS to see how big your chosen tree is likely to get, and to give your new tree the best start follow their advice on preparing the ground and watering in the first season or two. 

FreeBear

Dustyevsky said:

FreeBear said:

ArbitraryRandom said:

FreeBear said:

ArbitraryRandom said:

A shame because it's such a lovely tree.

No it isn't.

We'll have to disagree on that one - I love sitting in the shade of a tree.

Don't get me wrong - I like trees too. Have a Snow Gum

You may not like that for long! They might be evergreen, but the leaves change and they take years to decompose. The bark it sheds is another down-side. Finally, it doesn't listen when you tell it to stop growing.

On the plus side, it's good firewood!

A chainsaw fixes the excess growth - I've chopped it back to about 2 foot from the ground once already. 15 foot of growth in ~6 years, so probably due for another visit. Gum trees are shallow rooted, so i don't want it getting too tall - Lost one several years back in a real bad storm.

The bark or leaves are not a problem - They get mixed in with wood chips from my chainsaw activities.

fatbelly

fryderykchopin said:

Rosalynda said:

It's a willow. We had one a lot smaller. Twisted willow i think it's called. 

Thanks, this has helped me find the exact name. I think it's called Red Twisted Willow (Salix Erythroflexuosa). Actually a type of tree to avoid in small gardens. I think I will have to get it removed, much to my regret.

I'd say remove it. OK in a wet and large garden but it will suck water out of the soil like nothing else. Lots of nicer smaller trees around.

Have a look at the Cornus family.