Lots of big Ash on a steep bank - should I be concerned?

[ColinG]

Hi, was visiting a relative whose house was built above a steep bank leading down to a stream and minor road. The steep bank is actually part of their property, but because it's practically impossible to use for anything, is just left wild, with lots of mature trees. I'm assured that the house is properly underpinned, and it doesn't worry them. However I noticed for the first time that a lot (most) of the big trees growing in this bank are ash.

 

They look fine and healthy now, but if (as seems to be predicted) they succumb to one or other fatal disease in the nearish future, are they going to have problems? What are the likely effects on the stability of the bank? If/when they go, are the trees at risk of collapsing onto the road below? Should they be thinking about doing something now, while the bank is stable, or am I worrying about nothing?

 

Thanks for any advice:001_smile:

[7610]

How far from the house are they and approx height?

[ColinG]

Some are maybe 12/15 feet away, heading down (they won't fall on the house, pretty sure of that - not so sure about the road below!). Hard to judge height as they are downhill, but maybe 50-60 feet?

[peatff]

If the bank is not steeper than the angle of repose and the foundations of the house were properly designed then the trees are just incidental and will have no effect on anything. How long has the house been there.?