Prune or remove wild cherry tree?

[TheLightOftheSeven]

There is a wild cherry tree growing about 8ft from our house to the side and it's now taller than the house. The branches are resting against the roof.

It was picked up on the survey which was then investigated as unlikely to cause subsidence due to shallow roots.

However it seems a matter of time before it damages the roof.

I'm loathe to remove a tree but is it the best option? I'm not sure if our soil type. I'm in Northern Ireland and the soil feels to me like clay. It doesn't really dry.

Any advice appreciated.

We prune ours it makes them bush out more then the flower display is much prettier. They get leggy otherwise.

It's very close though, and already lifting up the pavement.

Ah in that case I would be tempted to remove it. Here the council would want it removed an uneven pavement being a health and safety issue. You can always plant another cherry tree and keep it under control.

Removing a large tree from clay soil can cause the opposite of subsidence - heave. I don't know if a cherry would be big enough to risk this - I'd want some qualified advice before doing anything drastic, tbh.