Neighbours tree close to house causing issues with insurance
Discussion
Our neighbours have a silver birch tree in the back corner of their garden which is approx 5 metres from the back corner of our house, as such we're finding a few insurance companies are ramping up the buildings cover price - especially as it's the height of our house. Is there anything we can do about this tree? I know we can remove any branches overhanging our side, but to the left theres one branch about 1/2' thick thats within a metre of our house but on the neighbours side, plus the top branches block all light to our garden in the evenings. Obviously we will approach them and ask if they'll mind a tree surgeon trimming (we'd offer to pay) but in case they say no can anything be done due to proximity to our house? Would they be liable should the roots cause damage or it blows down? Also how far do the roots on these trees burrow?
Pis attached showing the tree (already pushed out a concrete fence post/panel) and a frozen wife! The trunk is right in that corner of the fence.
Pis attached showing the tree (already pushed out a concrete fence post/panel) and a frozen wife! The trunk is right in that corner of the fence.
RemainAllHoof said:
One issue is that even if you trim the branches, the roots will extend under your house and bugger it up. I suspect that is why they are increasing premiums.
Exactly my worry. As such can we force removal of the tree at all? Or ensure the neighbours are liable for any repairs as a result? If I am not mistaken a Silver Birch has a much shorter life than other tree that are indigenous to these isles.
Funny enough when visiting the 'old dears' this weekend gone we were discussing the fact the Borough Council had removed a couple of trees near their property that were Silver Birch's and coming to the end of their life.
They were 25 years or so old. I think they can live to around 40ish but a lot do start dying before then, perhaps if you could identify its age you may have grounds for it to be removed as could be a hazzard.
EFA: the trees would be 35 years old that were removed thinking about it, blimey doesn't time fly!
Funny enough when visiting the 'old dears' this weekend gone we were discussing the fact the Borough Council had removed a couple of trees near their property that were Silver Birch's and coming to the end of their life.
They were 25 years or so old. I think they can live to around 40ish but a lot do start dying before then, perhaps if you could identify its age you may have grounds for it to be removed as could be a hazzard.
EFA: the trees would be 35 years old that were removed thinking about it, blimey doesn't time fly!
There isn't really anything you can do about the tree itself as no damage has been caused by it. If you are that worried then a tree root barrier could be installed but i doubt if the insurance would even take this into account. Even if the tree was removed they would probably say the same thing because of the Laurel hedge.
Tree's causing subsidence are not a coman as some would lead you to believe, alot of the times trees are blamed the actual cause is normally piss poor building or lack of maintenance. I did see a surveyors report once blaming an Oak tree for subsidence that was on the opposite side of quite a wide river!!
Tree's causing subsidence are not a coman as some would lead you to believe, alot of the times trees are blamed the actual cause is normally piss poor building or lack of maintenance. I did see a surveyors report once blaming an Oak tree for subsidence that was on the opposite side of quite a wide river!!
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