PRob

OK my decision is made - I plan to remove the tree entirely! Next this raises what to replace it with, hornbeam has been suggested. However won't the spores of Meripilus be in the ground and likely to cause further problems with other trees. Which ones are resistant to Meripilus? I would prefer a tree or 2 or 3 small trees hence the hornbeam suggestion (maybe pleached?!). Any other suggestions - ideas. Or do I have to leave the ground and not plant anything for a while?

Dave, thanks for this simple reply. No totem pole in the garden for me then!

Thank you everyone for you input so far. I have learnt a lot in the last few days! I'm still in two minds as to what to do. I hate the though of destroying a tree that is well liked by our family and neighbours. The one question not answered, which I probably need to direct to a surveyor or structural engineer is the risk of heave on the house. The other thought I had is to have a chainsaw artist or wood carver create a piece of art or a totem out of the main trunk if left in situ. Or would this not be possible as it is diseased. Thre is a great carving at Esher cricket ground of a cricketer catching a ball created out of a tree stump on the boundary. Anyway another couple of day of deliberation I think before I decide what to do!

I am in surrey in Long Ditton just south of Kingston. The house faces SW at the front so the beech gets the brunt of the prevailing winds. We had no damage to it in the storm at the beginning if the week.

Thank you for your replies - the company who inspected are well known contractors (Elmbridge Tree Services) rather than consultants. Although they seemed very knowledgeable! It seems i need to get a consultant in to look then? Anyone in the Elmbridge area?

Hi All, A little advice please. I have a beech which is infected by Meripilus Giganteus. The fruiting bodies have appeared in the last 3 years. We have been in the house 20 years and have reduced the crown 3 times to manage its size. Regretfully it was butchered by a brutal topping by the previous owner about 25 years ago and some rot is set in on the stumps at the top of the tree. However it always comes into full leaf as can be seen by the pictures. We have now been advised to remove it entirely by a tree company as it may prove a danger to people on the path and road. How unstable is the tree likely to be, it seems solid as a rock to me?! I have said I would rather not take it down but reduce the crown by about 40% as i have some concerns of causing heave on the foundations of the house. Is this a valid worry or if I plant something as a replacement - perhaps a hornbeam hedge will this counteract any swelling of the soil (we are on clay). General views and opinions welcome as it would be sad to see the tree go! Thank you in advance!