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c.30m Monkey puzzle tree & high winds

SerenfisherSerenfisher Posts: 1
in Problem solving
My parents have a monkey puzzle tree in their front garden which was probably planted when the house was built in 1836. It is now about 20m high - towering over the house - with about 2m from their front door. Whenever there are high winds we are all fearful it may come down on the house. Do you know how likely this is to happen? It would truly be a tragic shame to cut down such a magnificent specimen, which none of us want to do. Any advice would be gratefully received


Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I would also be worried 
    about the rooting system so near the house and any potential insurance claims if it fell on any passing pedestrians. My advice would be to have it cut down  asap. It may be a splendi
    d specimen but it's in totally the wrong place. Sorry, I can't get the spacing right on this new popup keyboard I am having to use.








    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    A concern of mine would be that the tree, if it fell, could do serious damage to your parents’ and their neighbours’ houses. An insurance claim might be invalid as the tree is so inappropriately located.


    Rutland, England
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Sorry but the tree looks very unattractive to me with it's dead bits and uneven growth lower down. No one can say if it's likely to be blown over unless there are signs of damage on the trunk and I am surprised you have managed to get buildings insurance as lots of companies ask about the height of trees and how close they are. 
    I had 2 lovely 80+ year old lime trees complete with TPO but on getting a tree expert in, the sort with letters after their name, he said one was in bad shape, it wasn't the one I thought was bad either. All he could say was it might be fine for years or could blow over in the next storm! As it was by a busy road I couldn't take the risk of it causing an accident so although the council weren't happy they didn't want to take responsibility either so down it came and another had to be planted.  Get rid of the tree and enjoy that lovely shaped hedge.

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