Pine tree growning to close to house

[Arun]

I have a pine tree outside my house. Infact four steps from the house. It's a mature tree I think. The tree has been cut from the top (lobbed) to stop it growing further. It wide and the growth starts from 7ft onwards. The tree provides privacy as we have a corner house in a cul de sac. If I have cut the tree to protect the house what can I plant instead. Do I really need to cut the tree?

- Arun

[woofgang]

Arun, not only might you not have to cut the tree, you might need to make sure to replace it if it died. There is a thing called the water table which is where the natural waterlevel is in the soil. If it goes down, the soil drys and cracks and can damage the house BUT if it goes up, equally that can cause damage. Trees and planting help to keep the water table stable by taking water out of the soil in order to grow. If you remove the tree, the water will continue to amass in the soil, but not be removed and the water table will rise. What you could do is look in Yellow pages for a tree specialist and ask for some advice. If you live in the UK, then your local district council who deal with preservation orders on trees can also adviser you and will tell you if your tree is protected and what you can and cannot do.

[Arun]

Thanks. The house is built on a raft. Sounds like I will have to cut it down. What a loss?  I will take advise from the local tree surgeon.

What can I plant that will be safe and provide privacy.

Live just outside London. No preservation order on the tree.

 

[Octavius]

Arun, you should also seek advice from a building surveyor, or your local building control officer to see what effect the removal of the tree might have on your house foundations.  It sounds like the tree and your house would have been living and working together for some time. 

[NoGood Boyo]

Agree with the others; consult an expert, if the water table is dsturbed you might get "heave" which I was told is the opposite of subsidence. I once saw a house in Dorset that had been split down the middle after the ground rose following the removal of a tree.

[woofgang]

our house is rafted too, that's how i know about water tables!!

[Drewhound]

A lot will depend on the soil you have. Getting expert advice, not from a tree surgeon who might benefit, has to be worthwhile. In most cases you shouldn't have a problem with it as the ground has gradually accepted any change