Neighbours 50ft tree/conifer 2m away from property. Advice gratefully recieved!

[Dman77]

Hi Friendly tree experts.

 

Ive already checked in this section of the forum to see if my problem can be solved. There are similar threads but not exactly the same. Id appreciate some advice.

 

We are buying a house (early stages) and we are really worried that the neighbours 50ft ish tree/conifer which is 2m (trunk) away from our potential property (kitchen corner of the house) has roots all around our foundations waiting to cause untold destruction/subsidence.

No obvious cracks in exterior walls (no survey yet) but father inlaw has said to pull out the sale immediately as subsidence is a real possibility in ?years.

 

First of all - can anyone tell me what this is? This is a view from a neighbour (next to tree owner). Thats my potential house side wall.

 

 

 

(Never uploaded so hope that worked)

 

Based on that tree, what roots are likely? Shallow/deep, known for damage?

This is deep surrey near M25 and told clay is likely. House built mid 50,s.

 

I really dont want to start a long process unnecessarly if you kind folk think id be nuts to touch a property with this massive thing 2 meters away

Ps the neighnour also has 4 smaller ones half height of this 1 m each away along the boundary so probably root city down there

 

Any comments welcome. We really are stressing over this.

Cheers all

Dave

[WesD]

People are under the misconception that the roots cause movement and cracks through growing under the property which could happen but not always. The damage occurs mostly because of the amount of water the tree takes away from the soil therefore soil shrinks house moves. Taking the tree down in this instance could have a positive impact on the soil and also take the fear away for the next buyer.

 

My personal take on houses may differ from yours they will all move at some point, on my survey they said it had moved in the past it had a few cracks but it was built in 1880 so it's hardly going anywhere fast or going to go anywhere!

[Gary Prentice]

Thought it was built in 1950's?

[WesD]

Thought it was built in 1950's?

 

 

Sorry Gary was referencing mine. Almost 70 years though if it was '50 it ain't going anywhere. That's my view anyhow.

 

It wouldn't put me off purchase, if the bank are willing to lend your more than likely safe, I'd use it as a bargaining chip personally.

[Gary Prentice]

My bad, misread your post.

[Dman77]

hi Wes.

 

No, the point is, the new people who go to view the house, probably wont know the tree existed.

[WesD]

So if it has another report will that report deem the house as fit to live in?

[Mark Bolam]

They won't.

They will live there happily until they die.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[WesD]

They won't.

They will live there happily until they die.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

 

 

👍

 

A conifer wouldn't deter me from buyin my dream home as he put it, it would merely be used as a bargaining chip to knock some 💵 off!

[Dman77]

good question.

This is my problem with this..

A surveyor sees a few cracks. goes 'meh', good be old movement.

Rewind a week or two. Surveyor sees a few cracks next to a 60ft lelandi. Changes things id have thought. no?

[WesD]

good question.

This is my problem with this..

A surveyor sees a few cracks. goes 'meh', good be old movement.

Rewind a week or two. Surveyor sees a few cracks next to a 60ft lelandi. Changes things id have thought. no?

 

 

Worrying too much, the house has been there nearly 70 years it is not going to suddenly collapse! The tree gone is a good thing the soil will get its moisture back.

 

If it's your dream home knock some 💵 off with what you know about the tree etc but the place and live happily ever after.