Beech tree near house - is it safer (and better for tree) to leave it or pollard/trim/top

[hollyw]

Hello everyone,

I have recently moved into a new house which is lucky enough to have trees in the garden. 
However I am very new to having a garden at all and could really do with some advice.
 

There is a beech tree which is ~8-10m from the house (photos attached) and I am concerned that if I leave it to grow unmanged it will at some point fall on the house during a storm (I'm up north), the tree is also leaning towards the house. However, I also do not want to harm a healthy tree for no reason, wildlife and nature are incredibly important to me which is one of the reasons I wanted this house and garden in the first place.

I was wondering if shortening the tree now while it is still fairly thin near the top would be less harmful to it than waiting until it is more mature then having to do so?
As I said I absolutly do not know the best course of action which is why I am asking here. So what would be the best option to manage this tree so it does not become dangeous to the house in future, but also does as little harm as possible to the tree? 

 

Many thanks to anyone who takes the time to comment

 

 

[JBH]

The healthiest trees are the ones that no one touches. 
 

You could have the crown reduced, not as harshly as the red line. Just some nice small cuts with a handsaw to pull the elongated leaders in. 
 

If you ask for a pollard you’ll get a shock. 
 

The tree looks well sheltered by more mature surrounding trees, hence why it has leaned out in search of light. They’ll provide a partial baffle in storms.
 

If you have just moved in, I would suggest living with any trees for a year and then seeing how you feel about them in 2026. Too many people rush into tree work at a new home, lumping it like it is redecorating. Unless it is in imminent risk of collapse it deserves this time if only out of respect for the tree. 

[Bolt]

 JBH pretty much nailed it in my opinion.

[AHPP]

Nice enough tree. Not massive. Leave it alone and reappraise in a few years or if problems become apparent.

[Retired Climber]

It looks like they have just let the corner of a Beech hedge do its own thing and have a go at being a tree; I see it all the time. It will be years before that really breaks for freedom and resembles what most would consider a 'mature' Beech. We've got a few like that in our garden and they have looked like that for decades. 

[hollyw]

Thank you very much for your comments everyone, It's very heartening to know it's unlikely to be a massive problem any time soon. I will do as suggested and just leave it for now, it survived Eowyn so hopefully will survive many other storms too. I really appriciate the assistance in easing my mind.