Neighbours removing very large trees

[Beks]

I wonder if anyone can give me some advice please.

My neighbours are remving 3 20ft+ conifers and a willow tree of around the same size. Will removing these trees and leaving the large amount of roots cause any damage to either of our properties, we are semi detached and the the neighbour on the other side is detached, the one removing the trees is inthe middle?

We know the roots of one of the trees reach out under the house to the front drains of the neighbour on the other side, so I am worried that we could have a bigger problem than lack of sunlight if we're not careful.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

[anitajayne18]

Removing the trees, and leaving alot of the roots in the ground could lead to Honey Fungus (Armillariella mellea) problem. The fungus lives saprophytically in dead tree stumps and roots, and spreads from there through the soil as bootlace-like masses. This fungus will attack any other tree, shrub or even woody plants in any surrounding garden. The diagnosis of honey fungus attack is not always easy, most times it is not detected until the tree, shrub or plant dies and the rounded bootlace-like strands are found in the soil. Sorry if this sounds like 'bad news', but I do speak from experience..good luck in whatever happens

[growlybear]

Conifers have shallow roots mostly. So no problem at house.

[mtanner]

yes this is likely to cause problems for your house as when the tree roots are no longer alive and sucking up water they will shrink. this could lead to movement in the soil under your house. i am not sure which way the roots grow on these trees, the conifers i think might have fairly shallow roots so might not be so but of a problem but the willow probably has deeper roots that run under your house. but i am only guessing - you should find out for definate.

you should get professional advice on this before you remove such large trees. if it is just size that is the issue the willow tree can definately be hacked right back to about 2ft branches. it will sprout out again - you will get 1-3meters of growth in a year on a willow tree. they used to do this regularly in the olden days to harvest the young shoots on the tree- its called polarding.

if you are worried you can get a tree preservation order from your local council. all you have to do is say the trees enhance your local environment and they can put an order in place so you cant cut them down.

[secrets1]

its unlikely that conifer roots are under the house as conifers are not deep rooted at all,but i,m not sure about the Willow.?