Root spread in a Beech tree

[ninemill]

Thanks for outlining the alternatives to me Tommer, although I think that on balance it seems like removal will be the best option. Heave sounds unlikely from what contributors have said, and if in the long term the tree will have to be removed anyway then I'd rather take it out now and clear the frontage up in one fell swoop (no pun intended!)

 

Can anyone recommend a species to plant in it's place? I'd like something more suitable for the location, that won't grow too large or require too much care. If it can offset some of the moisture that the Beech was absorbing to help the soil then all the better.

 

Thanks again.

[RobArb]

are you looking to plant a native tree or something ornamental?

 

Is it a windy site? (ornamental trees can suffer windburn) (but not all)

 

do you want autumn colour?

 

flowers?

 

don't think you should have a major problem from a water uptake point of view, but don't take my word for it:biggrin:

Edited July 1, 2011 by RobArb

[RobArb]

good small garden trees to have are IMO

 

Amelanchier's

ornamental Maples (although some aren't very hardy)

The Silk Tree (again can only grow in certain conditions)

Strawberry tree

Some Pear varieties

[Fungus]

Amelanchier's, ornamental Maples (although some aren't very hardy), The Silk Tree (again can only grow in certain conditions), Strawberry tree, Some Pear varieties

 

How about a male Ginkgo biloba ?

[RobArb]

good shout:thumbup:

[Joy Yeomans]

How about a male Ginkgo biloba ?

 

good point fungus, its the female whose fruit when rotting, leaves an odour of rotting dog t..d to add to the ambience of a front garden

[agg221]

Ninemill, whereabouts in the country are you? This will have a significant bearing on what grows happily.

 

Alec

[Fungus]

its the female whose fruit when rotting, leaves an odour of rotting dog t..d to add to the ambience of a front garden

 

And on top of that, female trees take up more space, because they have much wider "hips" compared to the "slim" males and you can have a dramatic slippery slide on the fruits if you step on them. In Paris, in autumn a part of the Champs Elysée is fenced off to prevent people from sliding on the fruits of a female Gingko from the end of the 19th century.

And Ginkgo's are known to be quite resistent to air pollution (by cars) and "grow happily" on any type of soil.

[Mark Bolam]

The Beech must go, unfortunately, the sooner the better.

 

That's the simple bit.

 

I'm not sure about a Gingko as a suitable replant, though. I've taken one down that went over 50', and wasn't that old (Tenterden, Kent).

 

Location and soil type is fairly important here, but it's your garden mate, and you should select a tree that you will be happy with.

[Mark Bolam]

Just out of interest, did anyone quote a price for a removal, and do you mind me asking what it was? (excluding grind if applicable).