I’ve been advised by a gardener to take this white willow down as it’s too big for the space and will yet get bigger. The tree came with the new build 4 years ago. I absolutely love it but am now worried about his predictions – it could fall on neighbours roofs / roots could undermine neighbours as well as ours. If it needs to go, what could I put in instead? We have recently planted silver birch and Pandora cherry blossoms on the other side of the garden. Thanks
by Ok_Stock_8268
17 Comments
Strongly suggest you take advice from an actual tree surgeon on this.
Best bet is getting advice from a qualified tree surgeon . Be careful as there is lots of fake ones about
This looks a lot like a willow is my garden that I’ve never been able to identify. Albeit a much bigger version!! OP Any idea what type of willow your is???
Its recommended that you do not plant a willow closer than 1.5 times its maximum height to a building.
That is almost certainly going to cause a problem for that house in the background
An easy tree to take down and easy money from an unscrupulous tree surgeon. I was once told by a “tree surgeon,” that knocked on my door, that my fully mature eucalyptus tree needed to come down because it was full of water! He could of course do it for 750 cash that moment.
It looks like a beautiful tree. Would be a shame to take it down. Definitely get a second opinion.
I’m a gardener and it’s doesn’t need to come down. Just give it a heavy prune and lift the canopy. Beautiful tree
Willow seems an odd choice for a new build property.
I’m a qualified forester so not a tree surgeon, but I would consider getting it pollarded to restrict the growth but would still be beautiful. The other option is to coppice it which would essentially turn it into a shrub.
The willow didn’t grow to this height since the new build houses were built. They built around the tree which would suggest to me there’s likely a tree protection order in place which will massively complicate bringing the tree down.
No advice on the willow unfortunately other than I’d say coppicing or pollarding would be best bet if you’d like to keep it!
However, I just wanted to say that silver birch/birch tree pollen is known as a significant cause of hayfever and asthma. It’s a very potent pollen. I know you have just planted but wanted to flag in case you or anyone you live with has allergies or asthma – if so – you might be wise to get rid!
I say this as a chronic hayfever sufferer, with a huge silver birch tree in my garden (inherited) 😂
That’s a beautiful tree, and hiding a lot of the neighbours brickwork too. I cut back some big limbs off my tree and now I’ve got an odd view of the house behind and a street lamp, definitely seek advice before doing anything, as I have a little regret if I’m honest.
Pollard or cut down, probably wasn’t planted, probably a sucker from a root back when the area was covered in scrub. I work as a tree surgeon on new builds
It’s no where near being a danger yet, like another said pollard it and you’re laughing.
You’re fine for a while.
This tree is really beautiful. I don’t see why you would take it down but I’m not an expert.
Not sure the advice of a gardener helpful
Advice of tree surgeon more useful
That said I take it these willow trees last a while
I would have cut down to a metre or two or three below roof height of neighbour whose house is screened and is less exposed to wind
I have removed three trees from garden .more recently nearly a third off a silver birch There is an issue that all of us think a great idea to plant trees up against boundary and also a tendency to over prune
With all these gales it is usually old large trees that come down
Is that lawn real? It’s beautiful!
Just double check there’s no tree preservation order at your location first