Can my Horse Chestnut Tree topple over?

AnnSebastian2008 · July 2023

Forty years ago my son threw his unwanted conkers at the back of our garden. One grew into a conker tree which is still growing. Unfortunately it’s right next to a wall and leans away from the wall. I’m worried that it will eventually topple over from the lopsided weight. The only solution I can come up with is to cut back all the lower overhanging branches on the garden side to encourage it to grow up rather than out. Could this work?

Dovefromabove · July 2023

Hello and welcome to the forum 😊

This is something that really needs to be properly inspected. I think you need to consult a properly qualified arboriculturist.

AnnSebastian2008 · July 2023

Thank you so much for your prompt reply, but I think that’s probably way above my ‘pay grade.’ 🤭
I just rather like the tree, it looks fine for now, but it’s started growing faster and I’m looking at the best way to prevent any future problems.

Centre of gravity etc etc.

Dovefromabove · July 2023

Ah I see … how big is it now?
Can you upload a photo for us to see m?

fidgetbones · July 2023

I think you have to look at it now, then envisage it 30ft high straight up. If it falls will it hit anyones house? Will it shade out most of your garden, or is the other side of the wall a field/park? You don't say how big your garden is, but there is no point growing a tree that will cause too many problems. It will be cheaper to get it down now than need to employ a tree surgeon at 30ft high.

AnnSebastian2008 · July 2023

Rough guess it’s probably about 30ft tall. Backs onto council property / tip so not invading anyone else’s space at the back. Garden is pretty small probably a bit more than 5x5m so 25m2 but I haven’t measured it. Tree is probable 5-7 m from back of my terraced house. I live in South London, behind a large blocks of flats, in summer my tree surrounds me with green rather than concrete. My neighbour complained that a few branches overhung her garden, but the powers that be laughed at her, so it’s not causing any local legal issues. I’m ‘retired’ I just want it to last at least as long as I do.

I’m not at home. Will post photos when I am.

StephenSouthwest · July 2023

I wonder about pollarding it, to keep it alive longer, and reduce the potential conflict between tree and buildings...?

Dovefromabove · July 2023

We had our large ash tree pollarded in 2020 it cost £500

The same amount as it cost to have another similar tree felled and removed a few years earlier.

And those are ‘Norfolk prices’.

KT53 · July 2023

You do need expert advice, but I don't think removing branches on one side of a mature tree will make its main trunk grow upright. Removing a large number of branches on one side is more likely to destabilise the tree and possibly make it more likely to fall.

philippasmith2 · July 2023

Dovefromabove said:

We had our large ash tree pollarded in 2020 it cost £500

The same amount as it cost to have another similar tree felled and removed a few years earlier.

And those are ‘Norfolk prices’.

Somerset prices aren't much better@Dovefromabove - £600 in 2919 and needs doing again. Conservation Area so council planning needed too along with all the faff - on the road side and no access for tree surgeon's chipper/shredder machines other than a neighbour's driveway.
I'm fond of the tree but with no financial help for domestic gardens to conserve trees, in my worst moments I wish it would fall across the road and cause mayhem. Well, not really

nick615 · July 2023

Horse Chestnut isn't a variety of tree that is normally prone to falling, but that relies on it being healthy. My instinct is to not worry about it BUT, because you have council land adjoining yours, all councils have a tree specialist who could provide you with an opinion. Some species can be got rid of to firewood firms but I'm afraid that isn't the case with chestnuts, sweet or horse.

Can my Horse Chestnut Tree topple over?

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