willow fedge roots

I have two willow fedges and am starting to worry that I may have put the second one too near to a building. Before I remove it, doe anyone know whether it will make any difference if I keep it cut short all year or will that make it worse? I currently cut it back just once a year to about 1.5m. I read somewhere that 1.5x the height is an okay distance but everything else says never plant willow that close. There are no pipes and it is not clay. Thanks for your help.

 

Hi binchy,

What the hell's a fedge? Normally with willow the more you cut them the more bushier they become. If you plan on keeping a regular trimming routine then this shouldn't be a problem as long as you don't let the limbs too large. The trunk will increase in girth and you'll end up with a sort of pollard.

There are two main problems associated with planting willows near a building:
1. Failure of limbs. Willow isn't the strongest tree and is prone to losing limbs in high winds. As long as you keep your trees in check then you'll be alright.
2. Subsidence. Willows often soak up vasts amount of water. Sometimes if the tree absorbs water from beneath a building the soil will dry out, shrink, crack and sink.