MattJUK

Thank you. Thay is really helpful. Does it make any difference if the tree is 30/40 years old in terms of coppicing or pollarding? Apologies, very new to all of this.

Agree that it isn't the prettiest! Only plus side to it is it gives a good amount of privacy from the house behind. Any worries with its proximity to the house? It's just under 15m away which seems fine under the NHBC thresholds.

Thanks Mick. Poor tree being described as a weed! Are they pretty common in the UK? Would welcome any thoughts anyone else has.

Hi We're growing a bit anxious about a goat willow located fairly close to our house. If anyone out there can calm us down that'd be appreciated! We're based in NW England on what I think is clay soil (SK4 3PG). We have a mature goat willow located 14 metres from the rear of our house (14 metres from a single storey extensions but in 2029 and 17 metres from the original house). We haven't noticed any concerning cracks or anything in the house, but have become concerned that the proximity of the tree may cause us problems in the future. Any ideas of what to do? Prune fairly regularly to keep its size manageable for example? I've included a photo below. It looks to be about 10m in height. The right side appears (which would hang over the neighbours fence) appears to have been chopped back quite heavily over the years. There is also a large branch that appears to now be dead (the section without any leaves on). It appears to have been insitu for at least 30 years as Google satellite from 2005 appears to show it as a mature tree back then. Any ideas welcome. If someone can suggest that risks of future subsidence are very low that would be appreciated! If you would recommend we get a soil sample etc done then recommendations for someone in the NW would be appreciated too. Thanks Matt