The Lemon Fool

I am concerned that our neighbour's tree is likely to cause a risk of subsidence of our house, because it is very close and now quite large. DAK the correct procedure to get the neighbour to remove the risk?

The first step is surely talking to him about it.

close enough to be a future risk of subsidence

But if he is reluctant to remove it?

ivahunch wrote:

close enough to be a future risk of subsidence

But if he is reluctant to remove it?

Is that an oblique way of saying you've talked to him already? A bit more explicit information on the situation would save people wasting time suggesting things you've tried already.

Scott.

ivahunch wrote:

close enough to be a future risk of subsidence

But if he is reluctant to remove it?

You didn't mention that he was reluctant to remove it in the OP. What else have you omitted? I suspect posters will not appreciate your responding to every suggestion "I've tried that what next?" It helps a lot to give a full background. Important points might be the type of tree, its distance from the house and boundary and its current height. I expect your approach might depend on those variables.

EDIT: I've just spotted your earlier post here with further useful details:

viewtopic.php?f=40&t=28432

It's a standard courtesy on the boards here to link to other posts when cross-posting and ask users to write replies in one place. Maybe a bit late for that now...

GS

P.S. Is there any reason you are ignoring the advice there that Pyracantha is unlikely to cause a subsidence problem (advice I concur with).

ivahunch wrote:

close enough to be a future risk of subsidence

But if he is reluctant to remove it?

Then maybe he would agree to moving it over a bit...

P.S. Is there any reason you are ignoring the advice there that Pyracantha is unlikely to cause a subsidence problem (advice I concur with).

Because of the information in the NHBC Guidance below

AsleepInYorkshire wrote:
Pyracantha will not cause subsidence that I'm aware of. It's usually tree roots that damage foundations as they draw large amounts of water from the ground causing shrinkage and subsequently heave.

Nope - I take that back - checked the NHBC requirements here. NHBC Guidance Planting trees near your home

You said it's 4'6" above your footings.
Your footings will be in subsoil. Roots do not travel into subsoil. Subsoil is 'dead'.

And as to the NHBC, they are representatives of incompetents who can't even manage to build a decent new house. I wouldn't take their advice on doorknob selection, let alone anything to do with nature.

V8

I'd say you have zero chance of getting this shrub removed and you are wasting your time. The chances of it causing any significant damage are vanishingly small. Forget it and carrying on living in peace with your neighbours.

I live near a 400 year old cottage that has a very large Pyrocanthus planted across its frontage. It has been there at least 20 years to my knowledge with no damage.

John