Forum home Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Cordyline Tree - house damage?

Hello everyone. We've just moved into a house with a big Cordyline outside - I'm hoping for some advice on the risk of structural damage given its size and proximity to the house. 

Should we have it removed? Or is the risk of damage low? I've read a few conflicting posts elsewhere about the root systems so hoping for some knowledge advice here. 

The house was vacant for 2 years so the tree is a little out of control. I've already scheduled it's full removal in ten days time but I'm having second thoughts and would prefer to keep it. I'm loathe to remove any tree unless absolutely necessary.

Many thanks.
«1

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    First thing to know is it is not a tree but a woody perennial native to the Pacific islands so it will only ever produce new growth at the top and will look pretty ragged after a harsh winter.

    That one has so many stems it is blocking light from your house and those ragged dead leaves are not adding to kerb appeal.   I have two in my garden and keep them tidy by removing spent foliage lower down so they always look fresh but, once they get to a couple of metres high they'll have to go as the bare stems and strappy tops will be out of scale with the associated planting.
    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
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I can't comment on likely structural damage, although I doubt they have aggressive root systems. But I would clear out vegetation from lower down in order to open up views from the window, maybe thin out some of the stems.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I think I would leave all the old growth on for now, and give it a good tidy up in the spring. It'll give the crown some protection from winter damage. Last spring we had loads of questions on here about cordylines that had been clobbered by the wet/cold combination - they can lose the top growth but grow back from the base.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    That would look great at the back of a large garden, but is too big for where it is imo. I would get rid.
    Sunny Dundee
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    Gorgeous looking plant but it is a bit near the house and is blocking light and the view out to the street. If it is to stay then the plants surrounding it ought to go so that the cordyline has the stage all to itself.
  • Anyone that has had to dig one of these out will know that they don't have a big horizontal root system like a native tree but do have a humongous tap root. The good news is that this means the roots go down rather than across, so damage is less likely. It will depend on the local conditions, soil and rainfall etc, but I'd be surprised if it did any physical damage because of the root system.

    If these are chopped down then they normally resprout from the roots and it's very hard to get the roots out. They can also be cut to any height you like and they tend to vigorously regrow new heads all around the stems, so you could lower it if you wanted. 
  • Do you actually like it? If not, I personally wouldn't keep it.

    Although I absolutely see your point about being loathe to remove a tree (or in this case large plant) unless necessary, there are time (in my opinion) that you have to say 'lovely plant, but wrong place'. You could do so much more with that space that would be in keeping with the house and that wouldn't hog the light. 

    I love your railings, they would make a great inspiration for a front garden.

  • If you've just bought the place, surely the structural survey will mention it if it's an issue. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • Cordylines are found frequently near me and usually in the sort of space as pictured here (near the house). From my observations, householders prune them every so often (yearly/bi-yearly etc) to keep to the desired height and spread and the plants bounce back. I would not prune in late autumn or winter due to cold weather and excessive rain. If you have a pruning saw, you might wish to prune back next year. This link has helpful info and suggests pruning in May:

    https://www.jackwallington.com/how-to-prune-a-cordyline-australis/
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
  • Thanks everyone. The survey just said to get a professional opinion and I've contacted quite a few tree surgeons, but I've had conflicting opinions from them regarding potential for roots to damage the house structure. 

    But, from what you've shared here, it seems unlikely to cause any significant issues and I think we probably just need to think about it from an aesthetic point of view. 


Sign In or Register to comment.