What is this tree?

[dreygrey]

I'm concerned it will damage our house

Elderflower

Looks like my elderflower. They grow huge if not kept in check.

It’s a lightweight amongst trees, but tenacious. Wait a week until the flowers have grown, harvest them and put them in a bowl with lemons, hot water and sugar. Strain and make cordial.

Then chop the fuckers down in October.

I love elder! The berries also make an excellent syrup against colds.

It is huge, it's bigger than the house! It's not our tree but two have seeded in the garden from it.

It won't damage your house.

You are lucky to have such useful shrub (it's not a tree). As yours is so big, initial management will take some effort, but you'll be able to make elderflower wine and elderberry wine:

www.nature-and-garden.com/gardening/elder-sambucus-nigra.html

Thanks. It's not ours but is in the field behind the garden, it's easily 20-30 feet tall it the two in our garden are only about 6 feet. I didn't realise it was a shrub as they are so tree like with th central trunk.