gardens , trees

[s mckinley]

there is a 60 feet silver birch tree appox. 25 feet from my house , it is leaning towards us , and sways considerabley in the wind , are we in any danger of it coming down?

[landie]

I don't know, but your local Council might.

[Lindylou]

A tree surgeon once told me that silver birches are notorious for 'dropping' their branches.  This was just before he condemned the silver birch in my front garden because it was - in his words 'just like a polo mint' from about 2 ft from the base of the tree.  When it was cut down he was absolutely right.  Virtually the entire trunk was hollow in the middle.  We had to have the Council's permission because there was a Conservation order on the tree.

[ursula62]

If you've ever driven past a birch wood you will see many fallen trees. Birch trees have a habit of falling down in windy weather.  Add to that the fact that birch is terrible wood - it can't be used or much other than matchsticks, and you wonder why anyone ever plants them - unless it's for decoration!