The tree is substantial and mature now. I wouldn't be too surprised if it is full height now. The first branch doesnt start until about 2.5m up from the ground.
Susannah, please take what is being said very seriously. Ask the council's expert how old he thinks the tree is and how much larger it might grow. Ask him whether the roots are likely to reach the house and damage the drains or, worse, the foundations. Consider whether you want to cultivate the garden (you will have difficulty) and whether any patio might be pushed up by roots. This happened to my son. Also consider the resale value of the house - how many potential buyers will be put off by the existence of the tree? If you pull out now, you will (I assume) still have to pay solicitors' fees, but you could lose more if the value of your house is reduced by the fact of the tree. I don't know whether you have to get a survey done if you buy off-plan, but you could get a surveyor to look at the tree and advise on its possible effect on the house. Sorry to be so negative, but please be cautious. This is about your future.
I hate, loath and detest sycamore trees. They self seed everywhere and they are huge solar eclipsers. My neighbour had hers pollarded a few years ago but in the last 3 years it has grown to at least 70ft tall & now blocks the sun from my garden from 2-5pm.
Something on your property that you have no control over. You have to deal with the local council if you want to touch it. Doesn't sound that great to me
Sycamore trees are a pain, they self-seed and then grow so damn quick. They are also very thirsty and will quickly find sewer lines. In my street there are quite a few rented properties, sycamores seed in the gardens then grow because the landlords never bother to sort the back gardens out. Before you know it, 4 30ft+ trees in the space of 5 or 6 years. We also have a superb specimen of a eucalyptus growing in someone's back garden, must be near 70 feet and still going. That's the thing about trees in city gardens, they simply aren't suitable, they end up too big for the garden and they affect everyone else. My next door neighbours had a trembling popular in a garden 10ft' x 40 ft, sold to them by woolworths, it was at 35ft after 7 years, should have seen the shock when I told them it would continue to 70 or 80ft. It came down, still having fun with the suckers though.
On topic, if I had a large sycamore with a tree preservation order on it on somewhere I'd be thinking of buying, I wouldn't buy simple as. The tree will cause enough problems now, and those problems will only increase as time passes.
We moved into our house fully aware (can't miss it!), of the enormous ginko tree in our neighbours back garden. To paint the full picture we are in a terrace of tall Victorian town houses, with small town gardens which face NW. Our neighbours themselves wanted to either have the tree removed or significantly pruned. Our Council have slapped aTPO on it and by early afternoon, it blocks out all the sun. It is as tall as a 3 storey house and a matter of metres away. Beautiful tree planted in completely the wrong place! If I was you, I would think twice. I wish we had.
Insurance! House insurance companies are increasingly asking if there is a tree taller then 5metres (16 feet!) near to the house and that then affects your premium.
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The tree is substantial and mature now. I wouldn't be too surprised if it is full height now. The first branch doesnt start until about 2.5m up from the ground.
50ft is a young maturing tree. It could make over 100ft and will spread very wide as it ages.
Susannah, please take what is being said very seriously. Ask the council's expert how old he thinks the tree is and how much larger it might grow. Ask him whether the roots are likely to reach the house and damage the drains or, worse, the foundations. Consider whether you want to cultivate the garden (you will have difficulty) and whether any patio might be pushed up by roots. This happened to my son. Also consider the resale value of the house - how many potential buyers will be put off by the existence of the tree? If you pull out now, you will (I assume) still have to pay solicitors' fees, but you could lose more if the value of your house is reduced by the fact of the tree. I don't know whether you have to get a survey done if you buy off-plan, but you could get a surveyor to look at the tree and advise on its possible effect on the house. Sorry to be so negative, but please be cautious. This is about your future.
I hate, loath and detest sycamore trees. They self seed everywhere and they are huge solar eclipsers. My neighbour had hers pollarded a few years ago but in the last 3 years it has grown to at least 70ft tall & now blocks the sun from my garden from 2-5pm.
Something on your property that you have no control over. You have to deal with the local council if you want to touch it. Doesn't sound that great to me
In the sticks near Peterborough
Sycamore trees are a pain, they self-seed and then grow so damn quick. They are also very thirsty and will quickly find sewer lines. In my street there are quite a few rented properties, sycamores seed in the gardens then grow because the landlords never bother to sort the back gardens out. Before you know it, 4 30ft+ trees in the space of 5 or 6 years. We also have a superb specimen of a eucalyptus growing in someone's back garden, must be near 70 feet and still going. That's the thing about trees in city gardens, they simply aren't suitable, they end up too big for the garden and they affect everyone else. My next door neighbours had a trembling popular in a garden 10ft' x 40 ft, sold to them by woolworths, it was at 35ft after 7 years, should have seen the shock when I told them it would continue to 70 or 80ft. It came down, still having fun with the suckers though.
On topic, if I had a large sycamore with a tree preservation order on it on somewhere I'd be thinking of buying, I wouldn't buy simple as. The tree will cause enough problems now, and those problems will only increase as time passes.
Afraid I agree.
We moved into our house fully aware (can't miss it!), of the enormous ginko tree in our neighbours back garden. To paint the full picture we are in a terrace of tall Victorian town houses, with small town gardens which face NW. Our neighbours themselves wanted to either have the tree removed or significantly pruned. Our Council have slapped aTPO on it and by early afternoon, it blocks out all the sun. It is as tall as a 3 storey house and a matter of metres away. Beautiful tree planted in completely the wrong place! If I was you, I would think twice. I wish we had.
Sounds like the tree was there before the houses.
Insurance! House insurance companies are increasingly asking if there is a tree taller then 5metres (16 feet!) near to the house and that then affects your premium.