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TPO and mature Sycamore - to buy or not to buy
Susannah T
Posts: 6
My husband and I are about to purchase a house with one substantial Sycamore in the garden with a TPO. We have delayed the exchange while we wait for the council's tree expert to visit and discuss pruning. Are there any questions you would advise asking him? We will be looking for a local tree surgeon assuming we proceed.
Thank you
0
Posts
ouch
Roots do more damage than tree, overhanging branches. Once you have a TPO you cannot cut them off if at a later date if you want to open up the garden so check. And get it in writing
Thank you!
Opinions about sycamores vary, but are generally negative. Sycamores are not ancient native trees, but were introduced into the UK a few hundred years ago. Their seedlings can become a pest. They also cast dense shade. See, for example:
http://www.ecotreecare.co.uk/woodland_management_sycamore.htm
And:
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/trees/2868-sycamore-good-bad.html
It sounds as though the property in question has a big tree, whose appearance may be appreciated by neighbours (which is why there is a preservation order on it).
I wonder why you want to prune it. It sounds as though you're not keen on the tree.
We didnt know the tree existed until last week. It is not on any of the plans and yet it is mature and probably 50 foot high. It was rather a shock as we are buying the house of plan so didnt really want a tree but do not know what to ask. We are worried about light and shade in the garden
In the road where I live there are (were) a lot of large trees. None of them have TPOs. When new people move in, they often cut down the tree in front of their house. I think it's a shame, but I can understand why people want to do that. A big tree limits what they can grow, and the amount of light in their house.
One of the problems will be from the surface roots - it will be difficult to have flower or veg beds where the roots are, and shade will also be a problem. Is it to the North, South East or West of the garden? You will also have to rake the leaves every autumn and either make leafmould for the garden or otherwise dispose of them.
On the plus side a tree will attrack all sort of birds to your garden - we have two large ash trees at the bottom of our garden, and they are always full of birds.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Our house faces south west and the tree is 7.8 metres away on the boundary parallel with the house back wall
That's quite close, the surface roots will spread over most of the garden. If I'm right the tree is either on the south-east or north-west boundary. If it's on the Northwest then it won't shade the garden too much, but if it's on the southwest boundary it'll keep most of the morning sun off the garden if I've got it right
. It wouldln't suit me - I'd think long and hard about it if I were you .... sorry.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Investigate who applied for the TPO. It might have been the builder, in order to get planning permission, in which case you are up against it, or one of the neighbours - possibly across the road - so that it would mask the new houses.
TPOs can be overturned, but you have to make a calm and considered case. In another 20 years this thing could be in through the bedroom window, you'd have to have the lights on all day, and the garden would be wholly devoted to one plant.
You must try to get this Order quashed, as the house will be increasingly difficult to resell.
I'm not a great fan of buying unseen off plan.