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Original poster

Does anyone live in a house with trees in “striking distance”?

45 replies

Harpings · 06/07/2023 13:07

Looking to buy a house which has quite a few protected trees in striking distance on the house. Not sure how this will affect insurance premiums. Will it be a massive headache for us?

OP posts:
TurtleRecall · 06/07/2023 13:08

I do, it hasn’t affected insurance at all.

HeckinBamboozled · 06/07/2023 13:09

We have quite a few, hasn't really affected insurance prices

Original poster
Harpings · 06/07/2023 13:11

Ah ok. Wasn’t expecting that reply ! That’s good

OP posts:
Clymene · 06/07/2023 13:12

Never come up in insurance

afaloren · 06/07/2023 13:12

I just had to be honest on my insurance so if something happened we would be covered.

ThinkAboutItTomorrow · 06/07/2023 13:14

Yep same here. First year I ticked the box that said yes we have trees within 5m and over 5m high with trepidation but the premium isn't so much more because of it.

AndrexPuppy · 06/07/2023 13:15

Yes, several. It has never been an issue. We do have them maintained and checked every two years by an appropriately qualified and insured tree surgeon as they are on our land. We have to inform the TPO officer at our local council of any intended works but we don’t need permission if it’s just maintenance. Anything major like crown reduction needs permission.

FreddiesTeeth · 06/07/2023 13:23

Hasn't affected my insurance but things to consider are
How to get rid of the mess - branches, twigs and acorns need processing/putting out for recycling and what are the council rules? Mine stop collecting garden waste just as my tree starts shedding.
Leaves take a long time to compost into leaf mould. Do you have space for this?
Look carefully at where they throw shade at different times of the year.
Do they shed sap or the little pollen flowers? Are you ok with clearing that up? Mine makes about a big wheely bin full (stamped down) each spring.
Look into it carefully. There are maybe 2 weeks in a year when my lawn looks tidy. I'm OK with that but you may not be.

EmmaPaella · 06/07/2023 13:24

Never been an issue insurance wise. They do usually ask about them though.

wutheringkites · 06/07/2023 13:25

We do, didn't seem to affect our insurance but they did say that we needed to ensure our trees were well maintained.

Original poster
Harpings · 06/07/2023 13:28

@FreddiesTeeth thanks that’s all very helpful. There are quite a few trees, lots of different kinds. I think I wouldn’t mind leaves etc not fussed about a clean lawn. I did notice the seller had an area in the corner with a massive box of composting stuff, so I guess that’s what happens at the moment

OP posts:
massiveclamps · 06/07/2023 13:52

Leafmould compost is the best.

As long as the trees are healthy, in good condition and aren't where the roots can cause any structural issues with the property, then it should be fine.

hettiethehare · 06/07/2023 14:03

I have previously - has never been a problem. One insurer had requirements for the tree which was within our boundary of having it inspected every so often, but that was as far as it went.

cocksstrideintheevening · 06/07/2023 14:05

Yep, several. Never been an issue.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 06/07/2023 14:08

Yup. A bloody massive one, would take out the whole house if it came down.

Insurance company didn't ask about trees and seemed completely bemused that I was telling them about it at all.

I love it actually, it gives a massive amount of shade which makes the garden really useable in the height of summer.

Growlybear83 · 06/07/2023 14:29

We had to declare any trees within 25' of the house when we first insured our house. But that may have been becasue we live in an area which is renowned for subsidence. We're required to keep the tree pruned to a certain size and have been told that we shouldn't remove it because of possible heave.

LoobyDop · 06/07/2023 14:46

We do. Doesn’t affect the insurance premium, but they stop us from getting a decent Sky signal. Fortunately there is now the option to have Sky Stream, which is entirely web-based so no dish needed.

The big trees around us are sycamores. I’ve spent all summer pulling seedlings out, and our deck and patio set were unpleasantly sticky for a few weeks while they were dripping sap everywhere.

mycoffeecup · 06/07/2023 14:49

Presumably you've done a full structural survey? If not, you need to. You absolutely need to know if there is previous underpinning, or any suggestion of current subsidence.

If not, then as long as you declare the trees, you'll be fine.

If previously underpinned then you are restricted as to insurance companies and they will ask you to get the trees sorted by a tree surgeon every few years, and it will cost you more. We pay £3,600/year for a 6 bedroom previously underpinned house in a conservation area with two large trees <10 foot from the house, and pay about £1500 every 3 years to get the trees sorted.

Original poster
Harpings · 09/07/2023 09:53

Just another question for you helpful people if anyone notices this question. I am a bit unsure about whether I should be concerned about any of the trees falling on the house in a storm. They are massive beech trees and the strike would be on to probably two bedrooms. Dh thinks it’s not a problem and I am over worrying.

OP posts:
hettiethehare · 09/07/2023 10:01

@Harpings our tree surgeon thinned the canopy of our oak tree so that it was weighted slightly more to one side so it would be more likely to fall away from the house (into empty garden) if it did go.

Fandabedodgy · 09/07/2023 10:03

I can't recall ever being asked about trees on insurance forms.

Original poster
Harpings · 09/07/2023 10:22

Thanks @hettiethehare the trees are on a slope (I kind of need a diagram to explain!) the slope is downwards towards the house. I can’t work out on google if this means more likely to fall down towards the house or up, in the other direction. Some stuff on google says it’s more shallow rooted in the downhill part so would fall uphill (which is what we would want) but logic kind of expects a tree to fall down hill

OP posts:
Pringleface · 09/07/2023 11:03

Trees can fall at any time, not just during storms. It very much depends on the health of the tree along with a variety of other factors. If you’re concerned, get a tree surgeon to assess them every year or so and ensure they’re well maintained.

We have a very large mature tree in our garden and never been asked about it for insurance.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 09/07/2023 11:27

We do, no problems with insurance in over 30 years. There’s a protected mature beech in the corner of a very small garden. Only prob has been with relatively new neighbours who object to the leaves in autumn, and the squirrels noisily chucking beech nut shells on to their decking. They wanted it felled, and didn’t seem to understand that Protection means that you can’t. The tree officer put them straight. 🙂

neonjumper · 09/07/2023 11:36

We have Tpo's on the several trees in and around my garden. Insurance never been a problem.

Tell you the truth though , it takes a huge amount of maintenance... leaves , twigs , branches ... relying on neighbours to maintain their trees so there's not increasing light loss and tree debris . Oh and the horrible sap ... everything sticky so covers needed for outdoor furniture .

Husbands loves the trees id be quite happy for a storm to take them out !