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Tree removal: is it necessary?

stringersimon67stringersimon67 Posts: 21
in Plants
Hi, an aboricultural consultant has done a tree survey of all the trees in the gardens of my flat. On a number of trees he has used a sounding hammer which indicated internal decay, and has said they need to be removed. On the one pictured below, he has said this is in decline and has a large cavity in the trunk and needs to be removed. Despite indicating internal decay, and the cavity, do these trees really need to be removed? I've been here 27 years and trees have never been cut down, so just wonder whether this "decay" is a really slow process and they would possibly be okay for another 10 or 20 years, or are they in danger of falling down, causing damage. Is the consultant being ultra cautious in case one did fall down and we would sue him! Tia, Simon 
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  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    When we moved in to our cottage over 40 years ago we had a bramley apple tree already insitu. The hugh trunk was devoid of "internal" mass having been hollowed out over the years.
    It is still insitu and still flowering and producing apples that are brilliant.
    However where you are yes you could be right in thinking that the report has been made to safeguard against law suites. A great pity but they are covering their backs in case in future winds they could fall down and damage the flats.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    A lot depends on your prevailing winds.   If you can gauge the height of the trees and their distance from the flats you can then tell whether they would fall on the building if they did succumb to a strong wind, especially after heavy rains which will soften the soil round their roots. 

    Another solution may be just to thin the crowns by removing a third or so of the branches to reduce wind resistance.  That way you'll still get to enjoy their form and foliage thru the seasons.  A good tree surgeon can do that and leave the trees looking balanced rather than hacked.
    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)."
    Plato
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited March 2022
    During the Great Storm of '87  some big chestnut trees near our large church fell towards the prevailing wind, due to the wind swirling and eddying in gusts around the church ... I wouldn't rely on trees falling in any particular direction.   :o

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    I would never doubt the word of a professional expert that has proved the tree is hollow/has disease.
    Better to cut it down before the gales snap it /fell it ...or worse still it kills someone.

    It would not look good in a court of law if it killed a child and you had ignored advise from an expert.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    With a hole that size in it, and in a public place, I would cut it down.  In a private garden, where if it fell it would not damage anything, I would leave it.  There was an old orchard with apple trees in it next to us. Many of them were hollow like that. One by one,  in storms they came down.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I would also put in a new tree for every one taken out, just not in exactly the same spot.
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    fidgetbones said:
    I would also put in a new tree for every one taken out, just not in exactly the same spot.
    Two for every one taken out, IMO.
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
    I'm not a fan of removing trees but with that expert opinion, it'd be coming down. I used to have an enormous ash tree on the boundary with my neighbour which as far as we were aware was fine. Then one night, one of the branches came crashing down trashing their fence and narrowly missing the back bedroom where their baby was sleeping. Turned out it had heart rot and we never knew. I'd get it pulled up now and plant something new.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Why get the advice and then ignore it? If you are wanting to be certain, and can afford the fees,  get a second opinion. 
    AB Still learning

  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    Is that a public area or are you responsible for it? If it falls on your shoulders then simply for piece of mind it would be safer to remove it. I completely agree with fidgetbones that if it was in a private garden, you would be ok to leave it but expert advice suggests it's not safe for this situation. 
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