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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Cutting down 100+yr old Willow trees

68 replies

MsLup · 03/01/2022 21:29

We have a few very old large Willow trees on our farm land. DH wants to cut them down to 10ftish and pollard them in future. Reason given, they are in the way (between two fields) and could potentially become dangerous and destroy fencing.

To me it is sacrilege as they are a haven for wildlife with many nesting species particularly owls and can be seen across the rather flat landscape of the area.

I have tried to discuss a compromise such as only removing a third of their height and pollarding but DH is insistent (rather aggressively) that they will be coming down.

We own the land jointly and besides trying to get a TPO discreetly I have no idea where to go from here. Utterly heartbroken he feels the need to be so destructive. I still recall how he cut down a 25ft Holly tree at a previous property 25years ago.

Suggestions please as this is causing severe marital disharmony. He is currently sulking after a very heated discussion.

OP posts:

Seeline · 04/01/2022 10:41

Historically lots of willow species have been pollarded - they supplied the materials for wicker work/baskets etc. Weeping willows are not the only species of willow in the UK.
www.treeguideuk.co.uk/willows/

Bluntness100 · 04/01/2022 15:14

@LaurieFairyCake

Well you've talked about it and he has become entrenched and for some bizarre reason thinks it's his way or the highway

You now have to move to PREVENTING his action - so take all legal means necessary to do so - they are just as much YOUR trees as his

Take legal action against her husband? 🤣🤣🤣

overthethamesfromyou · 04/01/2022 15:35

Look into environmental grants that would make it financially beneficial to leave them alone. Also local water conservation projects to come in and 'assess' the value of them. It's half your land, remember

Alexandra2001 · 04/01/2022 17:39

Take legal action against her husband? 🤣🤣🤣

No more ridiculous than her husband riding roughshod over her wishes.

Bluntness100 · 04/01/2022 17:54

@Alexandra2001

Take legal action against her husband? 🤣🤣🤣

No more ridiculous than her husband riding roughshod over her wishes.

🤣🤣🤣

CharlotteRose90 · 04/01/2022 17:55

I’m all for trees. Sadly I’m with your oh on this. Twice now my garden and house have seen damage from old trees that have broken in the storms and collapsed. He doesn’t want to knock it down just part of it. You need to meet in the middle not stand your ground. It’s a tree not something massive

Alexandra2001 · 04/01/2022 18:07

@CharlotteRose90

These are trees that are no where near any structure and unless the DH is a trained tree consultant, he has zero clue as to the trees safety or not.

Aside, its impossible to guarantee (other than to fell) any tree, no matter how healthy will not blow down in a storm.

CharlotteRose90 · 04/01/2022 18:35

@Alexandra2001 to solve their problems they need to get a tree surgeon in who will assess the tree. There’s no point going round and round in circles. She shouldn’t automatically get her way and he shouldn’t get his. If the tree is dangerous they need to sort it and they won’t know till they get someone in. It’s half his land and half hers they can’t split a tree.

Bluntness100 · 04/01/2022 18:43

These are trees that are no where near any structure and unless the DH is a trained tree consultant, he has zero clue as to the trees safety or not.Aside, its impossible to guarantee (other than to fell) any tree, no matter how healthy will not blow down in a storm.

Um what? 😂 firstly he might not have any clue, but clearly neither does the op. And secondly arborists can do resistographs and be pretty much certain on the safety of a tree.

Are you posting when you personally habe no experience of large tree management?

eagerlywaitingfor · 04/01/2022 18:46

Pollarding them would rejuvenate them and make it less likely for them to get blown over in high winds. If they are that old, then chances are they've been pollarded before anyway. You'd be amazed just how fast willow can grow when it puts its mind to it.

We live near a river and nature reserve, and they come out and pollard several willows every year. Over around 15 years, the whole lot get done. Doing it in rotation means there's not an issue for wildlife either.

IamaBluebird · 04/01/2022 18:47

The trouble is the Op is talking about compromise whereas her husband is taking an aggressive stance and sulking.

Getyourjinglebellsinarow · 04/01/2022 18:47

This is the hill I would die on. Those trees will be vital parts of migrations. Birds will have been raised there for generations.

CottonSock · 04/01/2022 18:50

Don't get a tree surgeon, you need an arboriculturist.

KeepingAnOpenMind · 04/01/2022 18:55

I actually think we all need to seriously fight for nature and the environment, even if it does cause disharmony.
Personally this is a hill I’d be prepared to die on.
He sounds dreadful. Good for you for fighting for nature.

Alexandra2001 · 04/01/2022 19:01

@Bluntness100

Um what? 😂 firstly he might not have any clue, but clearly neither does the op. And secondly arborists can do resistographs and be pretty much certain on the safety of a tree.

Are you posting when you personally habe no experience of large tree management?

For 25 years i had a very old chestnut with a TPO on it (possibly 300 years old), which was regularly maintained by an arborist... i now live surrounded by trees that have all recently been surveyed, half of which are hedge oaks with TPOs, in addition have just spent today with my arborist and neighbour about the best way to deal with a large ash with stage 1/2 die back, Birch tree services are out in the next week to take the tops out of a few Douglas firs... so yes i have more than enough experience thankyou...

But weren't you the one who had no idea a willow could live beyond 30 years? even poo hoo ed the idea.

Alexandra2001 · 04/01/2022 19:06

[quote CharlotteRose90]@Alexandra2001 to solve their problems they need to get a tree surgeon in who will assess the tree. There’s no point going round and round in circles. She shouldn’t automatically get her way and he shouldn’t get his. If the tree is dangerous they need to sort it and they won’t know till they get someone in. It’s half his land and half hers they can’t split a tree.[/quote]
Earlier in the thread i suggested a Tree Consultant, not tree surgeon, this is the way forward and what i have used on several occasions.
A TS is often a climber who will remove whatever you tell him too.

It is other posters who either have no exp or don't bother reading the thread who are going around in circles.

Bluntness100 · 04/01/2022 19:11

But weren't you the one who had no idea a willow could live beyond 30 years? even poo hoo ed the idea.

I think you need to reread. And I have to be honest, you read like soneone who doesn’t actually have any experience. Can’t lie.

Alexandra2001 · 04/01/2022 21:25

@Bluntness100

But weren't you the one who had no idea a willow could live beyond 30 years? even poo hoo ed the idea.

I think you need to reread. And I have to be honest, you read like soneone who doesn’t actually have any experience. Can’t lie.

Ouch! lol! You stated on 3 posts, inc a load of laughing emoji's (where you belittled another poster) "that the average age is 30years", "highly unlikely they are 100yo...." and again you showed your lack of knowledge saying "Salix don't live beyond 30..." ignoring the fact that Salix covers a whole range of Willow species - which i did point out to you on a few posts back.

I know what experience i have, which has been gleaned from experts over the last 25 years plus and who i happen to know, though Willow is a new one for me and i'm not an Arborist.

However, where we do agree is the OP should get a consultant to advise..... might be best to leave it that.

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