3-4 metres is quite close and would probably be too close for me. Of course we don’t know what type of silver birch it is, it might not get as tall as some have mentioned.
For trees they are quite shallow rooted. If kept under control it might mot be a problem.
We have two at the end of the garden, 10/11 metres from the house, planted by the previous owners.
From digging extensively and quite deep near the house there is no sign of roots. When we dug the pond (still a work in progress as is much of the garden) which is approx 9 ft in front of one of them there are no signs of roots.
However I think the best advise would be to get a qualified tree surgeon in to assess it.
Thank you all for the advice. I will keep you updated. Maybe i will attach a few photos if i get the house. I need to accurately measure the distance too because i was just estimating it. It almost looks exactly like your tree in the above photo David W. I am guessing it's the common variety so will probably get bigger and need to go.
This is the cottage in Finland we stayed in. Pine and birch trees were growing close enough to touch out of the windows... they seem to have a much more relaxed attitude to trees close to houses in Scandinavia.
I guess problems may arise if you have clay soil. It certainly sometimes does cause more problems to remove the tree than to retain it, so you might be well advised to get professional advice.
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Hello all again. So, an update. I bought the house. The silver birch i think i will keep. It does cast shade but i like it. Lovely outlook from dining room and gives privacy. It looks like it has had some pruning done to maintain height. There is an enormous ash tree at end end of the garden which didn't notice much during viewings. To take this down would cost a lot i guess. i am thinking of keeping.
Garden is 28m long so well away from my house but i guess neighbour at end of garden might be worried. How likely is this tree going to fall? It appears to be very old now and i'd like to keep it. It doesn't cash shade because it's on the north side. I'd like to balance out the height with another medium height tree to the left of it. I have planted a Japanese maple here.
Great update. David your tree is lovely, but is lost to the shed! Shame it is on the borders.
I love ash, they can get as big as you like. Huge root systems, and glue well from what I have seen. People hate them as they spread. As they are likely to all die in this country l would just wait. The only downside is tgey could out compete something else you might want or have. Root systems are extensive. I give the ash a break, whereas sycamore not so much!
Great view and balance down the garden. The birch provides you and the neighbour with privacy. A shock for them if you removed! You could plant something like pittisporum further back, and if you did tire of the birch let the other replace it in time.
Just be aware that if the ash gets ash die back disease badly, branches could fall without much warning so keep an eye on it. Leaves turn black and just hang and branches get black streaks on them. Google on symptoms to see photos and advice. Also keep an eye out for self sown seedings and hook them out fast - you don't want a forest of ashes!
This stand of silver birches were put in about 45 years ago by a former owner. They were planted as 12” cuttings but now must be 30 metres high. As they are some distance from the house the roots are not an issue for us.
Like cherries, birches are shallow rooted and bad for lifting paving, but they aren't as bad as some other trees for planting close to buildings. The main issue there is 'heave' caused by tree roots drying out the soil which then saturates and expands in the winter. (Clay soils are the most affected).
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
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For trees they are quite shallow rooted. If kept under control it might mot be a problem.
We have two at the end of the garden, 10/11 metres from the house, planted by the previous owners.
From digging extensively and quite deep near the house there is no sign of roots. When we dug the pond (still a work in progress as is much of the garden) which is approx 9 ft in front of one of them there are no signs of roots.
However I think the best advise would be to get a qualified tree surgeon in to assess it.
Cheers,
This is the cottage in Finland we stayed in. Pine and birch trees were growing close enough to touch out of the windows... they seem to have a much more relaxed attitude to trees close to houses in Scandinavia.
I guess problems may arise if you have clay soil. It certainly sometimes does cause more problems to remove the tree than to retain it, so you might be well advised to get professional advice.
Garden is 28m long so well away from my house but i guess neighbour at end of garden might be worried. How likely is this tree going to fall? It appears to be very old now and i'd like to keep it. It doesn't cash shade because it's on the north side. I'd like to balance out the height with another medium height tree to the left of it. I have planted a Japanese maple here.
I love ash, they can get as big as you like. Huge root systems, and glue well from what I have seen. People hate them as they spread. As they are likely to all die in this country l would just wait. The only downside is tgey could out compete something else you might want or have. Root systems are extensive. I give the ash a break, whereas sycamore not so much!