Beech tree near house

[Noizeboy]

Hi all. New here and hoping for some good honest advice.

looking at buying a beautiful house next to a whopping great (& beautiful) copper beech tree. Tree is roughly 20m tall, 1m diameter, and 1.5m from a lean to garage on the side of the house. House is 1930’s. 
I think the tree predates the house. In a recent neighbours report(it’s on the boundary line), the tree is in good health.

Does a mature beech tree change its root structure much over time?

RICS survey found no structural issues.

Am I right in thinking that if in the future the tree had to go (for whatever reason), this is not great as the tree predates the house? 
ground is charmouth mudstone.

Am I mad for even considering it?

Any advice appreciated.

[richyrich]

You might have issues with house insurance?? I wouldn't want a tree that close to my house whatever it's size..

[richyrich]

[richyrich]

I expect this limb looked healthy...

[daltontrees]

12 minutes ago, richyrich said:

I expect this limb looked healthy...

What's your point?

[daltontrees]

I thnink you are worrying about heave, that is to say the increase in volume of shrinkable clays after thirsty trees have been removed.

Charmouth mudstone is part of the Lias Group which BGS flags as having potential for shrinkable clays. But the Charmouth Formation lithologies aren't particularly pure clays. Highly variable though, extends for a couple of hundreed miles.

In advance of buying, get a few building insurance quotes, these may show up any local issues.

[Dan Maynard]

Personally I wouldn't worry about the tree, not that I'm in any position to advise structurally. It will be an ongoing cost to inspect and maintain, in order to keep your insurance up, but sounds like the neighbours are on this so hopefully you can share that.

 

Think hard about the leaves. Some people can't bear to see them lying around, and if you're in that camp then the tree will drive you nuts. Other people let nature take it's course, the leaves disappear on their own in time. Maybe also look at gutter guards.

 

I wouldn't be alcoholic but I'd be doing well if I had a pint of beer for every customer who's said to me

"I like trees, don't get me wrong, it's just that this one drops so many leaves on my car/house/driveway"

[Steven P]

Nice house. Garage in an extension? If so you can add another 3m from the tree to the main part of the house? Not a lot I know. If it has been there a while then I'd guess that as it currently is it won't affect much.

 

Good idea about insurance quotes. Leaves... a leaf blower is a small cost if you like the house as is a ladder to clear the gutters (or gutter guards + a ladder) 

[Noizeboy]

Thanks all for the thoughts. Got the house insurance quote, mentioned trees but they weren’t too bothered. Agreed on leaves and general “cleanup” as a result of the tree. I quite like going up a set of ladders, so clearing out gutters is t an issue. I’m still interested to understand how much a mature trees root structure can change or not, or whether the roots should stay pretty stable if the tree is maintained well. My understanding is this tree should have a good pruning every 3-5 years, but probably max is 20-30% crown reduction. Anymore could result in negative effects on tree health. Have I got that right?

[Mark Bolam]

 No.

[Mick Dempsey]

8 hours ago, Noizeboy said:

Thanks all for the thoughts. My understanding is this tree should have a good pruning every 3-5 years, but probably max is 20-30% crown reduction. Anymore could result in negative effects on tree health. Have I got that right?

 

 

It depends, as they say.

Certain types of trees will tolerate that sort of hard pruning very well.
Limes, planes and some others.

Beech are not on that list.

It’s likely that your beech has a TPO, and is already subject to a pruning regime, albeit a much more gentle one than you imagined.

Any chance of more photos?

Edited October 9 by Mick Dempsey