Is it safe to cut down this cherry tree?

[sal123]

At a bit of a cross-roads with whether to cut this tree down or not.

It's an approx 9m high cherry tree ( reaches near top of the house) and sits about 3m away from the building. Located in Wandsworth, SW London (I'm guessing clay base like most of London?).
Concerned that cutting it down might cause heave?

 

Thanks

 

[Dan Maynard]

Heave is only a worry if the tree is older than the house, doesn't look to me like that is the case here.

[Mick Dempsey]

Not doing the wall or paving a lot of good either.

Not sure what choice you have really.

[pleasant]

I think leaving it isn't an option

[Mesterh]

Ive said it a few times before. If cutting down a tree like that caused heave there would be a lot of tree firms out of business and a lot of fooked houses.

Fell it and don't worry about it.

 

 

[john87]

I agree with everyone above. Look what it has done to the wall.. You house will be next..

 

Get it down, but do not say a word to anyone lest some treehugger tries to get the council to stop you. I would stuff it full of "ecoplugs" just to make sure it is going, no matter what..

 

john..

[Canal Navvy]

13 hours ago, Dan Maynard said:

Heave is only a worry if the tree is older than the house, doesn't look to me like that is the case here.

 

With the caveat that a historically underpinned building with its new foundation on desiccated clay can heave. I've only ever seen it once though and haven't read about it either, so not a significant risk 🤔

[daltontrees]

My recommedation would be that not checking with your insurers before removing the tree is NOT a good idea.

 

If there are shrinkable clays and subsidence has happened in the past and has been repaired but not underpinned, removing the tree will casue heave and a whole new set of damage.

 

Check with your insurers. You can't sue Arbtalk.

Edited October 16, 2022 by daltontrees

[john87]

1 hour ago, daltontrees said:

My recommedation would be that not checking with your insurers before removing the tree is NOT a good idea.

 

If there are shrinkable clays and subsidence has happened in the past and has been repaired but not underpinned, removing the tree will casue heave and a whole new set of damage.

 

Check with your insurers. You can't sue Arbtalk.

Yes, i think that is good advice..

 

john..

[Steven P]

Has this tree ever had any work done on it before, not sure but cut back to where the trunk splits all at one point, maybe a few years ago now, Cherry trees do grow back quite happily .

[Mick Dempsey]

4 hours ago, Steven P said:

Has this tree ever had any work done on it before, not sure but cut back to where the trunk splits all at one point, maybe a few years ago now, Cherry trees do grow back quite happily .

That’s the graft point I think.