London Plane Tree Help

ToniM

Ok, so some may note like the question but here goes. In the front of my yard is a very large London Plane Tree (Sycamore) that is owned by the city. They will not remove it as it is not dead. It has however due to the size shifted the foundation of my house so badly that I can not even sell my house now as it will not pass an inspection.
Question, how do I kill this tree without getting caught. Will painting the trunk with roundup work?
Please help

Once gone I will gladly plant a new SMALLER tree

Brent Ferris

Do you have pics of the house from say 5 years ago when there was no/minimal problem to compare to today? If so, you need to call a structural engineer and show him both stages, and he should be able to write a report that says structural damage is being done.
Depending on his qualifications, he may not need the previous pics, but you should then have a knowledgeable arborist present to confer with the engineer about the root damage. And then submit the engineer's report, and prob an arborist report on the tree creating a sue-able problem, and the city will likely schedule the tree for removal.

Depending where you are, you may be able to undertake work to replace the front drains, and in so doing the roots towards the house will be cut, and a root barrier can be installed which should mitigate the problem. If you do the work yourself, you may need an arborist's report to request permission to injure the tree (root pruning) to alleviate a structural or drainage problem.

I would strongly advise against poisoning the tree - poisoning will be very obvious, tests are available to identify the poisons (foliar analysis) and fines (heavy) will likely be levied - directly or on your tax bill.

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My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

Jamie Myers

In the UK we would report the problem to the house insurer, they would then take over the whole process. Surveys and reports and if proved sue the L.A to compensate for the damage caused by their tree

ToniM

Thanks for all the information. I think I will just call my insurance company and see if they can do something for me. I didn't really want to poison it just need it gone. My luck I would get caught.

Victor Lindsay

I wrote a report for tree removal because of structural damage and a permit was issued the day they recieved it. Get an arborist to write it up...should be no problem getting it removed.

I would not try to kill it! The city will come after you for that. You need to play thier game.

ToniM

Thanks again. I am definately not going to kill it. I have a call in to an arborist friend now that is on his way to look at tree and advise me.

Brent Ferris

Let us know how it turns out, and if possible post a pic of structural damage.

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

Grizzly

get ahold of the head of your provience tree department and adress the issue with them. If they can visually see what its doing and have a heart then it should just get done with out question. Thats how it workd down were I'm at.

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