Tree roots, should I be concerned?
Discussion
Hello
Looking for a bit of help with a neighbours tree that appears to have its roots headed towards the foundations of my mother’s house. The pics below show the tree and also 2-3 saplings that have come through from the roots (?) over the last few months.
It’s also, in my opinion, far too big for the garden it’s in as it blocks light into the garden so ulterior motive is to see if it should be taken down.
Previously the drain that runs across the garden, about halfway down and hopefully you can see manhole cover for this in pic 1, had to be repaired due to the roots braking it up. The drain serves another four houses to the left and for some reason they all contributed to the repair which I found surprising as, in my mind, the owner of the tree should have paid for the repair.
What I’d like to know are these tree roots going to be an issue to the house’s foundations and, if so, who would be the best person to get a “report” from to take to the neighbour?
BTW I have previously had “words” with the neighbour about building work they were having done so want to be sure of the potential impact of the tree before approaching them.
![](https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/554692/202605174806695?resize=160[/img]</a> <a href="https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/554692/202605174809612" Target="_blank" >[img]https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/554692/202605174809612?resize=160[/img]</a> <a href="https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/554692/202605174812975" Target="_blank" >[img]https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/554692/202605174812975?resize=160)
Looking for a bit of help with a neighbours tree that appears to have its roots headed towards the foundations of my mother’s house. The pics below show the tree and also 2-3 saplings that have come through from the roots (?) over the last few months.
It’s also, in my opinion, far too big for the garden it’s in as it blocks light into the garden so ulterior motive is to see if it should be taken down.
Previously the drain that runs across the garden, about halfway down and hopefully you can see manhole cover for this in pic 1, had to be repaired due to the roots braking it up. The drain serves another four houses to the left and for some reason they all contributed to the repair which I found surprising as, in my mind, the owner of the tree should have paid for the repair.
What I’d like to know are these tree roots going to be an issue to the house’s foundations and, if so, who would be the best person to get a “report” from to take to the neighbour?
BTW I have previously had “words” with the neighbour about building work they were having done so want to be sure of the potential impact of the tree before approaching them.
Looks like it's well away from the house so I'm not sure what foundations you are worried about.
You can cut any overhanging branches and offer the cuttings to the owner.
If they don't want them then you can dispose of them.
Think that's all you can do really.
It's up to the owner to pollard or prune it.
It won't be protected.
Have a friendly chat and offer to share tree surgeon costs for taking some height off it maybe?
Copper nails will be along shortly.
You can cut any overhanging branches and offer the cuttings to the owner.
If they don't want them then you can dispose of them.
Think that's all you can do really.
It's up to the owner to pollard or prune it.
It won't be protected.
Have a friendly chat and offer to share tree surgeon costs for taking some height off it maybe?
Copper nails will be along shortly.
OutInTheShed said:
Gnevans said:
This is clearly a case for the high court. Some people cant see the wood for the trees. I hope you get to the root of the problem.
The OP hasn't twigged that we've branched off. Leaf it at that?OIC said:
Looks like it's well away from the house so I'm not sure what foundations you are worried about.
You can cut any overhanging branches and offer the cuttings to the owner.
If they don't want them then you can dispose of them.
Think that's all you can do really.
It's up to the owner to pollard or prune it.
It won't be protected.
Have a friendly chat and offer to share tree surgeon costs for taking some height off it maybe?
Copper nails will be along shortly.
Nice one good to hear and I’ll pass on to mother but at 92 not sure she’ll manage to get the nails in…..You can cut any overhanging branches and offer the cuttings to the owner.
If they don't want them then you can dispose of them.
Think that's all you can do really.
It's up to the owner to pollard or prune it.
It won't be protected.
Have a friendly chat and offer to share tree surgeon costs for taking some height off it maybe?
Copper nails will be along shortly.
DFNorfolk said:
Hello
Looking for a bit of help with a neighbours tree that appears to have its roots headed towards the foundations of my mother s house. The pics below show the tree and also 2-3 saplings that have come through from the roots (?) over the last few months.
It s also, in my opinion, far too big for the garden it s in as it blocks light into the garden so ulterior motive is to see if it should be taken down.
Previously the drain that runs across the garden, about halfway down and hopefully you can see manhole cover for this in pic 1, had to be repaired due to the roots braking it up. The drain serves another four houses to the left and for some reason they all contributed to the repair which I found surprising as, in my mind, the owner of the tree should have paid for the repair.
What I d like to know are these tree roots going to be an issue to the house s foundations and, if so, who would be the best person to get a report from to take to the neighbour?
BTW I have previously had words with the neighbour about building work they were having done so want to be sure of the potential impact of the tree before approaching them.
Roots will be nowhere near your mothers house, as roots tend to extend as far as the crown of the tree, so thats not a concern at all.Looking for a bit of help with a neighbours tree that appears to have its roots headed towards the foundations of my mother s house. The pics below show the tree and also 2-3 saplings that have come through from the roots (?) over the last few months.
It s also, in my opinion, far too big for the garden it s in as it blocks light into the garden so ulterior motive is to see if it should be taken down.
Previously the drain that runs across the garden, about halfway down and hopefully you can see manhole cover for this in pic 1, had to be repaired due to the roots braking it up. The drain serves another four houses to the left and for some reason they all contributed to the repair which I found surprising as, in my mind, the owner of the tree should have paid for the repair.
What I d like to know are these tree roots going to be an issue to the house s foundations and, if so, who would be the best person to get a report from to take to the neighbour?
BTW I have previously had words with the neighbour about building work they were having done so want to be sure of the potential impact of the tree before approaching them.
You may not like the tree, but there is little you can do about it, other than as has been said, trim any overhanging limbs and offer back or discard accordingley.
Personally, I'd suggest your mother get a gardener in, or you help her tidy up the place including maybe pruning the tree in question and making the garden a generally more appealing place to be for her in her old age.
Hobo said:
Roots will be nowhere near your mothers house, as roots tend to extend as far as the crown of the tree, so thats not a concern at all.
You may not like the tree, but there is little you can do about it, other than as has been said, trim any overhanging limbs and offer back or discard accordingley.
Personally, I'd suggest your mother get a gardener in, or you help her tidy up the place including maybe pruning the tree in question and making the garden a generally more appealing place to be for her in her old age.
Our 4-5m foot high conifers had 10-15m long roots, that ruined the house drains, patio etc. The ran sideways, about 1m max below the surface.You may not like the tree, but there is little you can do about it, other than as has been said, trim any overhanging limbs and offer back or discard accordingley.
Personally, I'd suggest your mother get a gardener in, or you help her tidy up the place including maybe pruning the tree in question and making the garden a generally more appealing place to be for her in her old age.
Light is another issue. Our neighbour has three large trees which is why we took our conifers down. To put light into the garden. Before that Our south facing garden was completely shaded
.Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff