We've got two like that @Picidae - within 2 or 3 metres of the house. Planted probably 40 years ago by the developer/council. Beautiful trees but I would like them removed, we get some really high winds here sometimes. We think they'll fall the other way across the road (which would block the entire cul de sac) but they would still hit the houses opposite.
Thank you all. I will keep my eye on the birch. It's near a concrete patio and wall but didn't see any damage. Very hard to plant around roots of birch though. Hoping some ferns will do well as it's shady.
Will keep and eye on the ash tree . Hopefully there will be no sign of dieback. Lots of small ash trees growing around the garden though and already tackled those.
Most 1970/80 housing estates round here have silver birch trees in them planted by the developers. They've either been cut down or severely pruned in most cases. However one house near me has two in their front garden and they are nearly twice the height of the house. Main problems are shedding twigs and seedlings all over the garden and last summer taking so much water it dried out my flower beds even though they are on top of heavy clay.
I have a neighbour who planted a silver birch hard up against our boundary fence. Unfortunately at that time I did not know that this was illegal ( a large tree must be planted at least 2 metres away from the boundary) she has refused to do anything about it and it is now a full grown forest tree—— in a square yard of ground! As I am now 83 I am less able to deal with the mess of leaves and the roots in my garden. Any suggestions?
That's difficult @murielgthompson. As the tree is not on your land, I think you're helpless here. I'm not aware of it being illegal to plant a tree so close to a boundary - although our laws here in Scotland are often different. If that's so, could you contact a lawyer or Citizen'd Advice about how to proceed?
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
There's a big difference between maximum height of a boundary hedge and minimum distance of a large tree from a boundary!
For me, the problem with birch trees is two fold - they are short lived and after about 50 years become very prone to breaking in strong winds or toppling over and any person, building or vehicle in their path will be damaged. Secondly, they are shallow rooted so that makes it hard to have healthy and interesting plants at their feet because of the problems of making decent planting holes between their larger roots plus all the water and nutrients their smaller and fibrous roots suck out tf the soil.
They are also a huge problem for people who suffer hay fever as their pollen is particularly high in allergens.
Lovely trees but not good close to a house or in a small garden.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
If you get a good tree surgeon, birch can be thinned out to reduce their wind resistance as well as their water consumption and still look good. Needs doing every couple of years tho and looks dreadful if done by a tree butcher.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
No problem with ground saturation here @Ric56, the two birch trees (plus others) are on a fairly steep slope! I was wondering whether I could get the Council to remove them on the grounds of causing a 'nuisance', as they do aggravate my hay fever - which seems to have started already.
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Will keep and eye on the ash tree . Hopefully there will be no sign of dieback. Lots of small ash trees growing around the garden though and already tackled those.
I'm not aware of it being illegal to plant a tree so close to a boundary - although our laws here in Scotland are often different.
If that's so, could you contact a lawyer or Citizen'd Advice about how to proceed?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
For me, the problem with birch trees is two fold - they are short lived and after about 50 years become very prone to breaking in strong winds or toppling over and any person, building or vehicle in their path will be damaged. Secondly, they are shallow rooted so that makes it hard to have healthy and interesting plants at their feet because of the problems of making decent planting holes between their larger roots plus all the water and nutrients their smaller and fibrous roots suck out tf the soil.
They are also a huge problem for people who suffer hay fever as their pollen is particularly high in allergens.
Lovely trees but not good close to a house or in a small garden.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.