Legohead

It looks like the house was built in 1970. Looking at the tree do you think the tree is much older than the house ? It was obviously there before the house was built as they have built a retaining wall around this tree. so how old do you think the tree is ? The house is on a hill at the top. I am assuming this means god drainage. The water will run down to a small river 200 metres away. Am i correct in this assumption ?

Guys, I am not a tree hater, but i am sure you would be worried if the tree blows down hits my property, the property to the right and left etc. I am liable. I quite like the tree as it offers some protection from the road out front. As you can see the tree is leaning a little and if i cut it back I am worried about heave. Only one answer so far has even mentioned heave. Any more guidance in this issue. As you can see this a 3 level house so the front garden is leaning up against a double bricked basement wall, as you would expect it would have to be strong with all the garden soil leaning against it. The retaining wall to the right appears strong and double bricked so if I raised the crown thinned it I think I would be ok with regards heave. There is some rot at the bottom of the tree, but the rest appears in good health. I have had a professional woodsmen look at it and he says the rot could go up the centre of the tree, and imposs to tell without sonar tests etc..but that rot could be there from years ago and might not be affecting tree at all.

Hi I am about to buy a house, and initially was not that put off by the large copper beech in the front garden. I was just going to have it out. However now having done the research I am starting to think twice. As you can see from the picture, the tree starts at ground level of the property to the right, and has a wall built around it. It is leaning on to this wall. It pre dates the house in the 1970 s I believe so quite a large soil deficit I would imagine. The house is sitting on some loamy, reasonably good draining soil at the top of a hill, leading down to a river, so I am assuming decent drainage down the hill. The house is one of those 3 level houses so it has a basement, and am worried about heave should I remove it, laterally onto the basement walls, and also the wall that borders the property to the right as you look at the picture. There is no subsidence issues and has never been. The structure of the house is good. But the tree certainly needs to be trimmed as it is touching the windows of the house. What should I do?