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Tree ID please

Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
in Plants
One of my friends who lives in London has a subsidence problem with their house but she's not sure of the type of tree that's causing it, so she's taken some pics.
Can anyone help please?







Billericay - Essex

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited September 2023
    The leaves in the first pic look  like elm. 

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





  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Thanks Dove looks like a good match!
    Her neighbours thought it was a Hornbeam.

    I'd assumed it was a tree that she'd planted, but it's a Council tree, (planted about 20yrs ago) and she's really worried that it's her responsibility to get the tree and her house corrected.
    But I'd have thought if it's a Council tree that's caused the problem it's down to them to get it sorted.
    I'll try and give her some reassurance.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Looking online Hornbeam is another possibility… it’s not a tree I know well. 
    Where’s @Silver surfer? … they’ll know 😊 

    Very few English Elms around now sadly, but there are other elms and I believe some have been found not to get Dutch Elm disease. 

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





  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    As it's a council tree, she should approach them before doing anything.
    If her building insurance covers the subsidence, the insurer may be able to advise on the correct approach to rectify it, and might be able to deal with the council if they are liable.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • AsarumAsarum Posts: 661
    It would be unusual to have an elm as a street tree like that, but the top photo seems to show a young sapling growing in a border. Is it the same as the tree? It could be a Hornbeam.
    East Anglia
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    No sign of roots lifting the pavement.
    Need clear pics.
    I wonder if it has any seeds/fruits?
    Leaf doesn't look right for hornbeam.

    Would agree it looks like Elm, but councils would not be planting those as street trees .

    Local council will have a tree officer .
    They need to be contacted for advice.
    Might just be London clay drying out due to hot weather.c
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Thanks all for your help especially the detailed info by @Silver surfer which I will pass onto her.
    I'll ask her to take some photos of the leaves that are on the tree.
    The leaves in the first pic are in her front garden which she thinks is a sucker coming from the tree - but I wonder if that's actually the case...

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    I wouldn’t have thought so ,but one never can be sure . I would have thought however that rather than the tree ,to look for a different possibility such as dried ground around the building ,it happens quickly in hot weather ,our garden is a mass of cracks due to clay .The tree would have surely showed other signs in her home before now , it’s a large tree and hasn’t just become so overnight, so as I said ,I don’t think I would be so quick to assume that the tree is to blame .
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    Pete.8 said:
    I'll ask her to take some photos of the leaves that are on the tree.
    The leaves in the first pic are in her front garden which she thinks is a sucker coming from the tree - but I wonder if that's actually the case...
    Pics to show the leaves on the tree in the street are rather essential to answer being accurate!
    Do get friend to take clear pics.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I’m wondering if there could possibly have been an elm in/near the garden many years ago?  Elm roots can throw up suckers long after the main tree has died. 

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





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