Worried about front garden tree and subsidence to house

[CM5]

Hi we have a small to medium sized tree in our front garden (own a 2 bedroom house) its taller then the roof !

The tree is about 3-4 meters away from the front of the house, has not really been maintained to much I cut the branches to keep it as trim as possible, but now were considering buying the house and discovered "Subsidence" and worried about the roots and possible damage to the house in the future.

I should note there are no cracks inside or outside the house anywhere, and no issues with doors/windows closing etc none of these problems for 40 years+

We have got Gardeners/Tree removal specialist round to give us advice and the first question I asked one of them was what type of tree it was ?

Both looked at each other and had no idea ! One suggested it maybe a Lime tree

One of the tree specialist suggested that roots of a tree are often as tall as the tree !? He suggested if we removed the entire tree and roots underneath the road/pavement slabs and surrounding areas would need to be dug up so it was advised to cut the tree and add solution to it to stop it from growing?

I am unsure of this recommendation, but wanted a second opinion. I have left pictures of the tree in case it helps, cheers !

Full size picture of tree:
http://www.imageupload.co.uk/files/gjx5r4wly3feptv6r164.jpg

Uknown Trees leaves:
http://www.imageupload.co.uk/files/ev1p1acwohgt7tjwrfio.jpg

Tree bottom part:

http://www.imageupload.co.uk/files/pzs95ggu78igloa5qhkl.jpg

 

[woodchuck357]

It does appear to be lime or, as most here in the States refer to it, basswood. Removal is a good idea, it is to close to the house, but roots won't need to be dug. Subsidence unrelated to the tree.
Temperate Climate Permaculture: Permaculture Plants: Lime, Linden, and Basswood

 

[Havana woody]

You probably don't want to take advice from someone who can't ID the tree. it looks nothing like a Lime.
I believe that is a Beech and it looks like 3-4 feet not meters which is pretty close but at its present size I doubt it has done any damage.
It certainly needs to be pruned at the least but no need to try and get roots from under concrete. You could Polard it if you wish to keep the shade or just treat the fresh cut stump with a herbicide. If you wish to replant the garden right away you might consider grinding the stump, but add some nitrogen to balance the carbon ration in the wood pulp in order that the decomposition to compost will be accelerated.

 

[CM5]

So its best to at least cut it down to the stump and treat it with some solution ?

I did google lime tree and Beech tree leaves, but they do not appear to be the same leaves as the ones on my tree. They are close however!

 

[Havana woody]

So its best to at least cut it down to the stump and treat it with some solution ?

I did google lime tree and Beech tree leaves, but they do not appear to be the same leaves as the ones on my tree. They are close however!

Yes Hire someone that is a REAL tree service with Insurance and professional equipment Cut it Down and treat the stump.
You can bore 1 inch holes into the stump and fill with saltpeter to accelerate decomposition.
This tree has the potential to do damage to the foundation but at this age it is unlikely that it has, yet.
the kind of tree it is is unimportant but you will notice that a Lime has more heart shaped leaves and serrated edges.
New Beech leaf, I can't see any of the hairs on yours but its late in the season so they may not be intact.
View attachment 314093

 

[Zale]

The picture of the leaf looks like a dogwood. That is not the larger tree. I think you have two different trees growing together at the base. I would take the larger tree down due to the proximity to the house. The stump can be ground out and forget about the roots. They will decay over time. IMO.

 

[PJM]

Agree with Zale that you are mistakenly thinking that the photos of the leaves are from the same tree in the photo of the trunk. The trunk looks like that of a cherry.

 

[CM5]

Had a tree expert pop over for a quote on cutting it down, he immediately ID the tree as a Cherry tree and Beech....

So you guys must be right its 2 trees together...

I have never even seen cherries grow on it I think small berries come but are rare.

Either way its getting chopped down by the professionals soon, thanks to all !

 

[Zale]

It might be a cherry tree but the picture of your leaf is not a beech. Good luck.

 

[CM5]

Hi yeah I think he said it was a birch and cherry tree, not beech.

Still looks more cherryish he suggested.

 

[Zale]

That leaf is not a birch either.

 

[Raintree]

Makes me laugh sometimes viewing these threads.

First pic is a Cherry too close to the house, needs to be removed.

Second pic is of Dogwood leaves from a small tree growing under the Cherry.

Third pic is Euonymus & Hydrangea also nothing to do with the Cherry.

 

[CM5]

award goes to Raintree

I googled the leafs and dogwood it is, lovely name for too !

So cherry/dogwood, had no idea trees could grow under another tree.

I have got 2 quotes so far but they are quite pricey around £300-320, I got a feeling these guys will cut it down within an hour! one tree guy is insured and said it was cherry tree and he would cut it down in small portions so no damage will ever occur.

I have been considering however since I already cut the dogwood and some of the other branches around it so its much smaller, I may perhaps be brave enough to try and get up there with a hand saw and just cut down as much as I can.

Perhaps if others see the tree is much smaller, they may quote less. I do not believe I will cut the massive branch growing towards the next door neighbours house though since it is already too close to there house, perhaps just the ones growing towards my side of the house.

You guys and gals think I should risk it and cut it down myself as best I can ? thx for all answers also

 

[Zale]

Hey! I said dogwood first. No offense Rain Tree.:msp_mad: