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Large ash tree in garden

We have a large ash tree (more than 20m in height) in our garden. It is about 20m from the back of our property. We’re not sure if it’s diseased and have been grated permission to fell (live in a conservation area). Before booking a tree surgeon I want to be sure it’s the right decision. I worry about the impact on wildlife. Is this tree too big for a garden? 
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  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    Why do you want to take it down vickiscurtis? If it's because it's diseased then a tree surgeon would tell you very quickly if that's the case. As pansyface says, if it isn't then you are very lucky.

    In my area, I didn't see a single one that hadn't got the disease last year. I went over to the island of Mull and I didn't see a single tree that had it. Possibly there are some but I desperately hope that there isn't. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    It would be a big tree in most domestic gardens. It looks like your neighbour has one too close by and that you have another one that has been chopped down to a trunk. If you want to minimise the impact on wildlife you might consider replacing it with a more suitable species.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    If it is diseased then there really is no option.  Otherwise, if it's a healthy tree I would leave it unless it is causing or could possibly cause any problems to your house, boundary or drains.  (You do have to think about possible wind damage and falling if it is close to your house.)

    It would be a shame lose a tree which could provide shelter, nesting material and insects/food for wildlife.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    How big is the garden @vickiscurtis?
    That's a factor in the decision. They can certainly become too large for many domestic gardens, but you can also coppice them etc instead. A shame to take it out if it's healthy, and there's room for it. The worst problem is that they seed but it isn't a problem in grass as they get mowed.
    As @steephill says - it might be worth replacing it with a more suitable sized tree - loads to choose from.
    That other trunk isn't too attractive, so it could be worth getting rid of that. It wouldn't be hard to take down, and the stump could be left in situ which saves the cost of removal. The trunk could be chopped and stacked which benefits wildlife too.  :)

    It hasn't made it's way here @Uff, and there's loads of them everywhere round here, including some very attractive mature specimens, but I believe there's some die back over in the east side.  :/
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • We’ve had a couple of tree surgeons over but they couldn’t answer whether it is diseased. One put us in touch with an arborist but they suggestion was to apply for permission to fell and the council would only approve if it’s diseased - but no one looked at it. 

    My concern is if it fell it would cause a lot of damage. 
  • @Fairygirl the garden is 40m. 

    Yes we’ll remove the other trunk as part of any work done (felling or crown reduction of the large ash). 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I presume you mean 40 m long?
    The chances of it falling and doing damage to your house are probably fairly small then, and it would only happen if it was damaged in some way already, and therefore weak. 
    Reducing the crown/pollarding is possibly the best solution. 

    Insurance companies are often the problem regarding trees too. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    It is lovely to see those trees - if they don't have dieback I would definitely keep them.  Mature trees do so much more for wildlife than we can imagine.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    In the right setting, they can be stunning   :)

    One of the ones up the road from me on a misty autumn day in 2020

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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