Sycamore Planted Close to House - Help Please!!

[LawtonWoods]

Trees might cause damage, but not necessarily. We bought a house a few years ago, which had a large tree - a red cedar no less - growing within 2 metres of the attached garage. The tree is about 40 years old, and about 40 feet tall. On the face of it, a disaster. We got a structural engineer who is qualified and experienced in arboricultural issues to give us a report, and he gave a clean bill of health. If the house has been a run of the mill estate house we would have walked away (without a survey) but this was special - so we bought it. We are concerned that if the tree falls it may demolish the house, but in terms of tree root damge, after a further 7 years, still no sign of any problems. We have asked the neighbours if they would consider removing it, but like the neighbours mentioned above, we got 'the finger'. We are close to the water table on a soil which is predominantly alluvial clay, so perhaps the tree does not take enough water to dry the soil too much - but the point is that every situation is unique.

[Brocakat]

Originally Posted by Besnard Lake

Well, this thread certainly has produced a lot of emotive responses, and the only person to have seen the tree is the originator. We don't even know if the tree definatley is a sycamore. I mentioned in my last message to this thread about how the reactions would be if the tree wasn't a sycamore.

They are no different from many other maples for causing damage, direct or indirect. Mant people mistake other maples and sometimes London Planes for sycamores, so if the thread was about a field maple, would the hype and over-enthusiastic arborphobia/ignorance have raise it's ugly head?

Besnard

We will all have an opportunity to look at any photographs if they are posted-up.

It's that simple.

One may as well cast doubt on any thread which isn't accompanied by such; - e.g the threads we may have read on here regarding rats/squirrels.

Many members of the Acer family grow rather large; - the secondmost common example in this country being the Norway Maple & this tree grows as large as A. pseudoplatanus and has equal potential to damage foundations.
Whilst London Planes aren't such family members - I'm sure most will have seen rather, large example of these trees too - and neither they could be
reccomended as to be planted in this particular location - IF the measurements are as yorkshirepud states they are.

A photograph of the tree in question will remove any ignorance -- ignorance
of this particular tree, only, I'm afraid.....

[animartco]

Lawton woods, The bad news is that while an establishd tree that has caused no problems, is unlikely to cause problems while it lives, provided it is already fully grown; if it dies -then you could be in for major subsidence. Bottom line is, large trees should never be planted near houses. Small low trees are OK fairly close, things like laburnum and malus varieties, and of course large shrubs like buddleia; but forest trees belong either at the bottom of very long gardens, or in forests.
Brocakat, case in point. I put in an acer 'flamingo' about fifteen metres from the house and thought that was enough. But what I thought would be a small ornamental tree has grown to forty foot! The roots are still clear of the foundations, but the tree is a bit overpowering right outside the window. beautiful tree though. So word of warning her. If you get a newish variety of ornamental, it is anybodies guess how big it will eventually grow.

[Besnard Lake]

Originally Posted by animartco

Lawton woods, The bad news is that while an establishd tree that has caused no problems, is unlikely to cause problems while it lives, provided it is already fully grown; if it dies -then you could be in for major subsidence.

I have dealt with many subsidence cases involving trees and can categorically say that the above quote is incorrect. Mature trees certainly can cause subsidence. There are no set distances where trees should/shouldn't be planted. Trees do not read rule books. Willow roots have been found under foundations 40m away. Lawton Wood is right, saying each case is unique. I have had a case where subsidence has been caused by pyracantha.

If a mature tree dies it will not cause major subsidence. If anything, you may get heave depending on whether the tree is older than the building.

Besnard

[Brocakat]

There have been cases - particularly in the case of the more elastic clays one encounters in the London Basin - that where there have been constructions near a large tree - a tree that took over a century or so to mature, and so growng steadyly but relatively slowly , the surrounding ground gradually became drier. And because it was such a gradual process, no cracks developed in those constructions.

However, when the tree was felled, there was a relatively fast swelling -(or heave), as the previously dry soil reached equilibrium with other soils nearby . This caused foundation damage.

[yorkshirepud]

Hi everyone

I had a friend who is an arborist who has confirmed the tree is a Sycamore.

Hope that this clears up some queries

[yorkshirepud]

Sorry forgot to say that I will take a photo when the neighbour is out!!!

[treecreeper]

A photo of the neighbour would add interest

[wanstronian]

Hi all,

I have a sycamore about 6' away from my house. It's currently about 25' tall, and I'm a bit concerned.

Some chap from a local 'Tree Services' company knocked on the door yesterday, and told my wife the best thing would be to take it away completely. However, I've heard that the shrinkage of a dead root ball can be as dangerous to the foundations of the house as unchecked tree growth.

What do you recommend, and do you have any idea what it should cost if I do the clear-up and haul-away myself?

Thanks
W

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by wanstronian

What do you recommend, and do you have any idea what it should cost if I do the clear-up and haul-away myself?

I've taken down trees of that height. It's pretty easy if you have the room to fell it in one piece. The main thing is to tie a strong rope to the tree as high as you can and get someone to tension it to guide the tree in the direction you want.

I cut a notch halfway into the trunk on the side I want the tree to fall and then while your mate is taking up the slack on the rope, cut downwards at about 45 degrees on the opposite side of the cut you've made, and into the cut. As the tree falls, your mate can guide it with the rope to within a foot or so of where you want.

A GREAT BIG DON'T! Don't ever climb a tree with with a chainsaw without the right gear and training - you'll kill yourself!

I've found it's cheaper to buy a cheap chainsaw from (say) B&Q than it is to hire one for a weekend.

I'm sure others will say the above advice is c**p, but it's always worked safely for me!

Jim