Removal of Lombardy Poplar tree

[Lavendar01]

Just based on Google search, I think the tall tree in our garden, which is atleast 120ft, is a Lombardy Poplar tree. Due to the storm a few parts of it has broken off and would like to know how safe it is

Some that I have spoken to, have mentioned getting an Arboricultural specialist down and some suggested a Tree specialist - what's the difference?

Who would you contact?

Also I have an idea that it will be very costly to get it removed, will the council be able to help with cost if it's something I cannot afford and is a hazard to surrounding neighbourhood?

A decent tree surgeon is your best bet. We got some surveyed in our garden by the bloke who normally does our tree work.

I haven't heard of any grants to help cut down trees.

Have you a local Facebook group or Whattsapp group that you could ask for recommendations? I'd be careful not to use a cowboy.

Find a well-rated local tree surgeon to advise you on what to do. Your local community Facebook group may help with this or good old yellow pages. You'd need to check if the poplar has any tree protection order on it. A good surgeon will ask about this. Your local authority will (may!) have a tree officer, probably in the planning department who can advise you.

If you need to take down a tree on your property, you will have to pay for it. Removal or pruning of such a large tree will be expensive.

If it casts a large shadow over other people’s gardens you may find that other people would prefer it gone and would be willing to make a contribution to the cost. I have heard of neighbours clubbing together on this. Beautiful trees but sometimes they get too big/too unstable for gardens.

Lombardy poplars don't live very long, normally 15-20 years. Farmers use them as fast growing windbreaks, while other trees grow around them.

They get brittle and can snap in high winds so you are right to be concerned.

Can you find out how long it has been there?

Get quotes from several tree surgeons to take it out or possibly reduce it to half its height.

If you’re going to remove it regardless, tree surgeon will be fine. They will have some knowledge on growing trees but their main focus is doing the work. If you may wish to keep it, someone with an arboricultural qualification will be more focussed on tree health. The Arboricultural Association has a list of professionals.

Thanks everyone, really helpful advice

Contacted a tree surgeon today he said the wood is rotten and dangerous could fall today, tomorrow or in 10days who knows, and needs removing asap (we inherited the trees when we purchased house so had no clue how long the issue has been ongoing). I asked if we could cut it down half way but in his capacity as a tree surgeon he refused to give wuote for that as it would still leave the tree to be a risk, quoted us £3k to cut it all the way down!

Completely taken by suprise as didn't think it'd be this high😩. Will have to call around to get comparisons

Definitely get some comparisons! Such apocalyptic advice sounds too well aligned to his desire for work.

It is a big job, though, if it’s 120ft, about 4x the height of a house. Bit tgat still sounds a high quote.

Thanks everyone. I got some comparisons and gone with the 2nd cheapest who was available as early as today.

He initially quoted us to bring the trees all the way down to the ground, but after finishing today's hard work, he said there is a vertical spike in the tree (didnt even know that was a thing!) and because of this the chainsaw keeps breaking so can only bring it down abit more (to fence level), this means although the danger risk of falling is eliminated, the wood decay of the trunk will still be visible to they eye. If I still want this dropped to ground level then that will cost grands more, as they'll need to need to bring in machines to yank the trunks out of the ground

I'm quite disappointed, as feel they should honour what they agreed to do for that price. And perhaps I lack trust, I actually don't believe there is a spike but it's more them realising the job is bigger than they thought so making excuse. If this was communicated originally , I would have gone with someone else.. or am I being unreasonable here? 😔

Oh and forgot to mention we are in sold position and looking to complete the sale of this house in a month or so, making all of this more complicated. We'll have to inform the seller that the trees have been cut down for safety, but I'm not sure what reason we would provide for leaving the rotten trunks there!

Your thoughts are much appreciated

“Available as early as today” is often a bad sign with traders. Is he a member of a professional association? Did he give you a quotation or an estimate? A quotation is binding, an estimate is not.

Unfortunately didn't get a written one, it was all over a phonecall. In hindsight agree that would have been the best thing

I had a look on their website and can't see name of professional association, just says they are licenced and insured. How do I check if they are a members of a professional association?