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Trees
Howard Thomas
Posts: 7
in Plants
My neighbour has a Birch tree approx 50 feet high and growing fast which is approx 15 - 20 feet from my house. My neighbour claims this tree to be a Silver Birch. What is the difference, if any, between the two. My neighbour also claims it to be protected by some association with royalty - i.e. the Queen - this latter seems incredible to me.
In practice, the tree sheds considerable debris, leaves and twigs which, because of the prevailing wind, builds up on the roof of my house penetrating the tiniest of crevices and the blocking of drains which needs attention two or three times a year.
Comments on the above would be appreciated.
0
Posts
Does it have a silver bark ?, if so your neighbours claim is probably correct.Not everybody is as lucky as you, use it as part of a borrowed landscape.
It could have a preservation order or it might be considered to be greenbelt land. Do you get on with your neighbours? Maybe you could come to some sort of agreement where they contribute to clearing up the debris, if you are on good terms.
Drains and gutters need clearing regularly wherever you live - it's part of what you do when you live in a house - general maintenance - those of us lucky enough to live near trees have to do it a bit more often than those living in over-crowded inner cities with few trees
Be happy that it's not a sycamore - the seeds of which could be taking root up there in your guttering 
I'm wondering if the tree was planted to commemorate the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977 - it would be about that size by now.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks for your reply but I would add that trees are fine if they are not too near but 50 feet high and 15 feet from my house could be quite dangerous. My neighbour does have Sycamore Trees as well but they are far enough away not to damage my house. I also have a Horse Chestnut tree - 100 years old - not my doing but fortunately far enough away.
Do you know the difference between an ordinary Birch Tree and a Silver Birch ? Pansyface advises me that they are shallow rooted and short lived.
In this country, UK, when people say birch tree they mean silver birch, Betula pendula.
In the sticks near Peterborough