trees causing damage to my hous

[stuart taylo]

the secretary of state has refused to take some trees down near my house which are causing considreble damage to my house and next doors house what can i do

[spacechimp]

just chop them down and accept the fine?

[jmck66]

I haven't an answer as such, but beware of clay soil. I have seen where a house has had subsidence and very bad cracks. A tree was growing very close to the house in clay soil. It had taken alot of moisture from the soil but it was advised to leave the tree where it was because if it had been cut down the structure of the soil would have changed and would have caused the house more damage.

[rugeleyboy]

you will probably call me stupid for this answer but, if you take the bark from around the tree, 6 inch strip all the way around, wont that kill the tree?

[honkytonkgal]

would this be to having a nature preserve on the trees?

[logman]

If the trees have a preservation order on them, then I'm afraid you have a legal battle on your hands. If you take the law into your own hands then you could find yourself in trouble with huge fines to fork out. get an expert in to do a survey of any damage would be the first step.

[jake-the-peg]

Space chimp's advice could be costly:

It is an offence to cut down, uproot or destroy a protected tree or damage a tree in a way that is likely to destroy it. Anyone convicted of this offence can face a fine of up to �20,000. An unlimited fine can also be imposed equal to the rise in land value resulting from tree clearance. Undertaking work on protected trees without destroying it is also an offence carrying a fine up to �2,500. Liability for prosecution can involve not just an individual or company which does the work but anyone who permits or engages a tree contractor.

[Whickerman]

Surely the secretary of state has better things to do than learn how to use a chainsaw, traipse all the way to your house, cut them down and remove them? Surely he has other people he could ask to do this?

[markja]

find out whose trees they are. ask them if a compromise would be to chop down the big trees and plant young ones to replace them? this would be a less confrontational approach. and may help you get a dialog going with them.

whickerman, the s.of s. has an axe and will only do small trees with it!!!