15ft Yew...what should I do?

[johnsonjack_81]

I have recently bought a new house and there is a 15ft Yew outside my house (within the boundaries of my wall). It blocks light and I would like to either:

 

- completely uproot it

- trim it to about half the size

 

I have been warned against both for different reasons. Someone told me not to completely remove it because it could cause the land to sink where the roots extend to (Its about 4m away from my front door). Also that the roots are sucking up lots of water which could lead to excess water beneath my house??

 

Also been told that cutting it back by half would be difficult and it could take years before it goes green again.

 

What would you advise?

[Stephen Blair]

If you want a green bush beside your house, cut it in half, if not, dig it out

Simples.

 

 

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[Stubby]

If you want a green bush beside your house, cut it in half, if not, dig it out

Simples.

 

 

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Thats the one !

[geoff]

If you want a green bush beside your house, cut it in half, if not, dig it out

Simples.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

 

At last!

[Dean Lofthouse]

If you,re looking at trees purely on monetary value, a standing tree is worth far more than a felled tree. It is future work.

 

I personally didn't come into this profession just to kill trees and swing from limb to limb hacking away to collect a wedge of cash at the end of the job.

 

If that is all my job entailed I would soon get bored and move profession, job satisfaction and pride in your work is a big motivator for me.

 

Soil testing, remedial pruning, planting, diagnosing, treating, advising etc etc are parts of the job I also enjoy.

 

Don't get me wrong, I will take a tree down no problem, but I would feel much better about it if it was for a better reason than leaves in the gutter or it blocks a bit of sun

[spiral]

I wouldn't have described a 15ft yew as a sapling, it would be a very very expensive tree to replace like for like

 

 

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mmmm yes but hardly a mature specimen either?

 

& yes I agree it would cost a lot to buy... But of what relevance is that to the point in Questian?

 

 

If you want a green bush beside your house, cut it in half, if not, dig it out

Simples.

 

 

 

It might even turn an English yew {If it is.} into a fastigiata!

 

spiral

[gobbypunk]

Hi its your house so if you want to fell the tree just fell it and dont worry you can always plant 2/3 new trees in an appropriate position

Cheers Mark

[treesrus]

being a tree that lends itself to topiary, how about shaping it into a rabbit or a squirrel, or a train......

[treesrus]

...or a japanese style cloud sculpted Niwaki....

[10 Bears]

the water demand of the tree? and clay content of the soil? are main factors.

 

Well, you're right on here, but the clay content (type) is the only factor really.

 

No shrinkable clay = No heave/subsidence, therefore no problem.

 

Good advice to get an arboriculturist in, but ideally one that is AMIUG trained so they can provide an informed assessment of the soil as well.

 

Whereabouts in the country are you Jack? There are probably folks on here who can help, myself included.

Edited June 18, 2014 by 10 Bears

[Gary Prentice]

AMIUG?

 

Sorry, but I don't recognise the acronym?