Is it a sin to cut down a tree?

[Mamabear04]

I have a very big eucalyptus tree in my back garden, it's about 60ft tall! We moved into our house last year and I've always loved the tree but lately it's been dropping branches. The branches are really heavy and I'm worried one of them falls on my kids and hurts them. Ontop of that I have a small garden room underneath it and I'm worried it could damage it (I use it as an office space). I just had a quote from a guy who says it will cost £750 to get the tree cut back and into order then it will need maintained regularly. He also said he can chop it down completely for £950 and cut off the VAT. I'm in 2 minds as to what to do. Here are my thoughts on cutting it down;

Pro's
Safe for children
Won't damage the garden room
Will be financially beneficial in the long run
Won't be a risk to property and neighbours property if there is a big storm/high winds

Con's
It feels like a sin to cut down such an old tree
It will be home to wildlife and I'll be taking away their home
It offers some privacy to our property

Or they could just be charging the customer £790 and have explained that they are 'cutting off the VAT' in that way to make it seem more attractive to the customer. That isn't unusual in my experience.

Yes, can't you leave this tree to fall on your children otherwise what will we all do for oxygen?

I think they're usually quite shallow rooted, so not necessarily a subsidence risk, although that does mean that might be more susceptible to falling. I wouldn't worry.

Assuming you're in the UK, chop it down and replace with a native species of tree.

Personally I'd maintain it instead of chopping it down. That should make it safe to be around. Trees are important (and nice) but they do require maintenance.

I'd cut it down and replace with a native tree that is proportionate to the size of your house and garden. Without guilt. They aren't great garden trees.

We had 4 large (30ft) Eucalyptus trees at the far end of the garden when we moved in 20 years ago. I adore trees but I had them all taken out and replanted with six much more appropriately sized native trees, and they all look amazing now. Eucalyptus are renown for falling over for no reason and we live in a really windy area. I certainly wouldn’t have a home office anywhere near one.

Here’s a good article about the problems that can happen with them especially if they become top heavy. Don’t feel too bad about getting rid of it, especially if it’s near any property.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

I read somewhere newer trees soak up more pollution, so I'd replace with newer smaller trees. We had some very large diseased trees and had to get them cut down so replaced each with 2-3 smaller trees each time.

You saw that in your textbook in year 2

It feels like a sin to cut down such an old tree
It will be home to wildlife and I'll be taking away their home

in UK, eucalyptus can be a very fast growing tree in our relatively moist climate (up to 2metres a year) ; so it's probably not as old as you think. Big ones do have a habit of suddenly shedding very large branches.

Its also not a native, so it offers little support or sustenance to any wildlife here.

If he cuts it back , that will stimulate very fast regrowth, so keeping it under control will be an ongoing job and expense.

Not sure if it's been mentioned previously but it could potentially be wise to check with your local council in case the tree has a Tree Preservation Order.

Father forgive me
I tried not to do it
Turned over a new leaf
Then tore right through it

Whatever you taught me
I didn't believe it
Father you fought me
'Cause I didn't care
And I still cut down a treeeeeeee.

If in the UK, check with your local council if the tree has a tree preservation order. Otherwise you could get into trouble. There isn't just native trees that get that status either. I've got a post oak near me that has it, and post oaks are native to North America.

You say you've always loved the tree. Get it seen to and keep it for now. Being well maintained should stop it dropping branches I'd imagine.

You still have the option of paying a little more to have it taken down any year in the future. But yes, if you do have it taken down (after nesting season) warn the neighbours. People can react emotionally when their view changes unexpectedly. A heads up helps a lot.

There might be an extra charge to get the stump ground out, if you want that done.

Two things OP - the tree may be protected by a Tree Preservation Order or be part of blanket tree protection if you live in a Conservation Area. You can check with your council. If either of them apply, you will need permission even to prune the tree, let alone cut it down. If you do the work without permission you will be liable for a fine.

The other issue is - if you do have work done on the tree, now is the worst possible time because it is bird nesting season. Birds are likely to be sitting on eggs or have young between now and late summer. Disturbing them really would be a sin as well as what you do to the tree. Tree work should be done in winter.

Maintain the tree, not remove/cut it down. It was there when you bought the house.

I wish my neighbour would cut down their bloody eucalyptus for several reasons.
I think your quote it very high. We had 20 huge conifers taken down at a relatives garden for £1700 and all waste removed. Reputable and long established local family firm.

Meant to say just now as well that the falling branches probably means that the tree needs a tree surgeon to remove dead branches, but again could need permission, and now is not the time of year. Get a qualified and sympathetic tree surgeon to advise. Some of them say 'qualified' but it only covers their own health and safety regulations, not how they deal with the poor tree.

Given how much you love the tree and the privacy it's giving you, in your shoes I would get it cut back, and review progress in a couple of years. If it's taken years to get in that state a good chop might be all it needs for a while.

You still might ultimately cut it down and therefore pay twice, but I'd frame that in my mind as the cost of the time needed to be sure of the decision. Otherwise, you've paid £1k to be unhappy at the loss of a tree you love!

He’d need a tree felling license to cut it down.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tree-felling-overview

Tree felling for certain reasons might be VAT exempt as opposed to pruning/cutting back. I’m not clear on the rules.

we have a eucalyptus.
They grow so fast.
Dh took it down to the level of the top of our wall about 10 years ago. So about 5 foot tall? But thick trunk, so he pollarded it.

It is now taller than our house by a LONG way. Taller than the huge fully grown sycamore that we have that has remained the same size since we moved in.
I am no good at measurements for height, but like a 4 storey house at least.

And despite being naturally long thin trees, with ours the canopy is nearly as wide as it is tall.

The only thing that uses it wrt wildlife is pigeons. 2 pigeon nests every year.

Dh want to take it down himself. I am hesitant!
(there is a field the other side of the wall and no neighbours there, so he could I suppose)

I’d get a tree surgeon to thin it out. Do you not remember the heat? A garden without shade is a misery.

You win!

If the tree has a TPO on it then your solicitor should have advised you of that fact during the purchase process.

Do not talk to your neighbour about it. It's remarkable how attached people can become to things that grow in other people's garden and surprising about how entitled they feel to have a say in how you maintain your own garden. If your neighbour has objections to the tree being removed you could find they try to get a TPO put in it to stop you and then you are stuck with it and with having to get permission every time it needs cutting back. Do not consult your neighbour, it's your garden and none of their business.

Long term it will be cheaper and safer for you to get rid of it. I agree with PP about removing (at the right time of year) it and replacing it with native trees.

I agree we need trees, they are also beautiful and I'm fortunate to live in an area with lots of them (and I mean lots) but some of my neighbours have to deal with trees with TPO's and it's a nightmare for them.