Weeping Willow

Hi All

We have recently moved house and have a large weeping willow in the garden, having had a couple of people mention its size and roots etc. I thought I'd google it - it all sounds rather scary and now I'm really worried.

Basically I was wondering if it needs cutting down and if so - how on earth would you go about it or is it just best to get a professional in? How much would we expect to pay? And then there's the problem of the roots if they do travel far then I'm sure this ones will have - it looks that at one time it was much bigger as it has had two very large branches cut right back (which have just spouted lots of smaller ones).

Hope you can help, thanks Becky Xx

 

Weeping Willows like Leylandii can be a problem with root spread damage (take a look at my thread Leylandii Thug). Unfortunately a high percentage of people aren't aware of the problems until damage occurs.

Pruning any plant or tree will not reduce root spread, in fact, more often than not it encourages it.
If you want to remove the tree you will have to consult your local council first as they are protected by law. They may or may not assess the situation by a visit, but will tell you whether you can or cannot remove it.

If you aren't sure how to go about it, then it would be wise to get in a professional, if someone you know can recommend a tree surgeon, then better still. Failing that you can ask the council, they may recommend someone or even take the job on themselves, for a fee of course.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

 

Thanks Sheal

Will ring the council in the morning and see what they say. To be honest I think I'm more worried about the houses at the bottom of the garden as we are on a hill and further away from the tree than the neighbours are -worried I'll get sued for destroying their foundations or drains or something just as worryingly dramatic.

Will definitely keep you posted - just off to read your Leylani thug post, hope it's not going to worry me too much further, esp so close to bedtime - I'll be having nightmares! Xx

 

Hi robandbecky

First of all, from the picture you posted you have a beautiful looking garden and a beautiful looking tree. It would be a shame to spoil such a vista because of blatant and needless scaremongering found on internet forums and websites.

Trees very rarely cause considerable damage to sufficiently built structures such as houses. Where tree roots have been seen to be the cause of damage it is usually due to the fact that the root has taken advantage of a problem such as a leaking water pipe or insufficient foundations. When coming up against a solid obstruction a root is likely to find its way around it than expend energy trying to break through it.
Subsidence can be a problem where trees are located next to buildings on heavy, shrinkable clay soil. In summer when the tree absorbs a lot of water from the saturated ground this can lead to shrinkage, causing the soil to come away from walls and foundations. Conversely, if the tree was to be removed then any excess water that the tree may have absorbed had it remained in place now has nowhere to go and can lead to waterlogging.
Fences, sheds, garden walls and other structures built without solid foundations may suffer from heave brought about by tree roots, hence considerations should be made before deciding what to build and where.

Only if the tree has a Tree Preservation Order on it. Trees are not automatically protected - a TPO is only placed on a tree that the council deems important enough to protect. Your council's TPO officer or Arboricultural Officer can let you know whether the tree is protected or not.

If you are intent on getting the tree removed then I would always advise on getting in a qualified, competent and insured tree surgeon/arborist, rather than somebody who simply happens to own a chainsaw. If you do get someone in then ask what chainsaw and arboricultural qualifications they have and how they intend to go about it. Remember to check whether they will take away all the log and branch for you, or if that is extra.

 

Hi robandbecky; you do have a lovely garden and to be honest from what I can see a lovely weeping willow. To me it looks far enough away from your house and possibly the houses at the back, but it's not too clear from the photo, I would try and get someone to check if it's a safe distance from the houses at the back and take it from there because it would be a shame to cut down a lovely tree just because of its' name....:thumb:

 

Thanks Bilbo & HarmonyArb,

I actually haven't had chance to ring the council today, will try again tomorrow - think it's probably worth finding out if it has a preservation order on it or not. Will also try and get some better photos to post on here - that is a particularly bad photo.

It is a lovely tree and the garden has been very well looked after over the years - I do just worry about the size of it - like I said in my first post it does look like it has been drastically pruned at some stage so maybe we just need to keep on top of it, to stop it getting any bigger or maybe the council can advise whether it needs removing.

Will keep you all posted how we get on, we do appreciate all the comments as we are quite novice gardeners.

All the Best
Rob & Becky Xx