Mature Lombardy poplar - neighbour complaining.

[Crunchie66]

My mother has a mature Lombardy poplar at the end of her garden, about 35 metres from the house. It is about 60 years old and about 35 m tall.

 

The land behind her house was built on about 15 years ago. The nearest house is only about 10 m from the tree. We were very surprised they built so close, but remember them carrying out root surveys prior to building.

 

The people who bought the nearest house are now worried that the tree could fall on their house. It looks healthy at the moment but there are a few small dead branches high up, and in the recent gales lots of small bits fell off. Mostly twigs but some larger bits.

 

The neighbours want the tree removed. Whilst we appreciate their concerns only a South Easterly gale would push it towards them, which is unlikely. We feel it more likely that the tree will continue to drop branches as it ages, but that the whole tree is unlikely to fall.

 

Taking it down would be presumably very expensive. Access is limited and most of the work would have to be carried out from my mother's garden.

 

If the tree is felled are there potential risks to the neighbours house due to root shrinkage ? Is it possible to reduce the tree size without ruining it ? Also,who should pay ? It is on the boundary, so the whole trunk is on her land with some branches reaching over the boundary.

 

We love the tree, and it only causes us a minor nuisance with leaves and twigs.

 

The neighbour is consulting Citizen's Advice, and my mother has a tree surgeon coming to look at it. We would appreciate any advice as we do not want to enter into a dispute with the neighbour. Perhaps it should have been removed when much smaller, but the fields behind were supposed to be green belt, so when they were built on we did not feel if was our problem.

 

Mum's insurance company have told her not to worry. They have no problem with it being there.

[Crunchie66]

Thank you. The root shrinkage/swelling I referred to was a risk I thought existed after felling. Don't want to replace a potential problem with a real one !

 

So how do we find a competent surveyor ? What accreditation should they have ? She lives in Boston, Lincolnshire. There are many tree-butchers around but we obviously need a professional whose opinion will stand. I have looked in the lists on this forum but can't find anyone less than an hours drive away.

 

Probably because there are few trees around the area.

[skyhuck]

You really need a consultant rather than a contractor, some are both.

[Paul Barton]

 

So how do we find a competent surveyor ? What accreditation should they have ? She lives in Boston, Lincolnshire. There are many tree-butchers around but we obviously need a professional whose opinion will stand. I have looked in the lists on this forum but can't find anyone less than an hours drive away.

 

Probably because there are few trees around the area.

 

Directory of Arboricultural Association Registered Consultants

 

Find a Arboricultural Consultant | The Consulting Arborist Society