Tree damaging workshop,Help please!

[redlig]

I've just discovered that a rather large ash tree is in the process of 'breaking' my workshop in two . I'm "happy" to loose the tree but how can I stop the remaining Root structure from continuing their work. W/S is on a 8" reinforced slab and is block built . Tree is about 50-60 height and about 6 feet from the W/S. Any ideas please.

 

[Memmeddu]

I've just discovered that a rather large ash tree is in the process of 'breaking' my workshop in two . I'm "happy" to loose the tree but how can I stop the remaining Root structure from continuing their work. W/S is on a 8" reinforced slab and is block built . Tree is about 50-60 height and about 6 feet from the W/S. Any ideas please.

Removing the tree as soon as possible would help IMHO

 

[Wildefalcon]

Cut the root off.

 

[Arc Tourist]

Bore into the base of the tree and pour in a slurry of blue stone (copper sulphate). Its what was used in the past along clay sewer pipe lines to stop roots from entering the joints and clogging the pipes.

 

[Greeves246]

Had two big willows in front of this place when I moved in, cut down , drilled holes in the stumps and filled with Ammonium Sulphamate.

 

[Memmeddu]

Had two big willows in front of this place when I moved in, cut down , drilled holes in the stumps and filled with Ammonium Sulphamate.

Adding little bit of diesel till you get a gelatin and a firecracker would do a great job

 

[dobbslc]

You need @Kram down there with his selection of chainsaws!

 

[GRW]

With the Ash Die-back the tree might be diseased and need felling anyway before it starts falling on the workshop.
At just 6-feet away, the root ball will almost certainly be well under and beyond the workshop base.

 

[Greeves246]

Check that there is not a TPO in place before you start.

 

[gaz1]

I've just discovered that a rather large ash tree is in the process of 'breaking' my workshop in two . I'm "happy" to loose the tree but how can I stop the remaining Root structure from continuing their work. W/S is on a 8" reinforced slab and is block built . Tree is about 50-60 height and about 6 feet from the W/S. Any ideas please.

ive warned a neighbour not to allow there trees near the house to get established theres is 6ft away and let it grow too high and to get rid of them fast before they do

but its been ignored

imagine what its like when it starts damaging house foundations

Check that there is not a TPO in place before you start.

the council is biased on that while they take there own trees out they force you to keep them up

 

[brightspark]

just get it cut before they slap an order on it or you will be sorry you didnt . you can dig down the side of your slab and cut any roots that go under

 

[jmp49]

Get it down asap. There was a big ash in the yard that if it fell could have splattered either the house or the barn workshop depending on which way it fell. It had hanging deadwood and creaked a little in the wind, so we had it ultrasounded and it wasn't solid.
When it was sawn down, it was like a hollow tube with the core rotted away, one more really good wind storm and we could have had either building smashed to bits or worse.
As it was it splattered a small stone outbuilding on its way down but fortunately plans were to remove that eventually because its structure had been damaged by the roots, it just brought the demolition forward.

I have to dig the root structure out next, and I'll cut all the limbs radiating from the root ball as part of that and leave them underground.

 

[dobbslc]

Out of interest how much did it cost to get the ultrasound tests done?

 

[jmp49]

Nothing in the end, I'd called a tree surgeon to take a look at it because I'm no expert but was umming and ahhing about taking it down because I liked the tree and the shade it gave even though it was so badly placed and thought it was a bit sickly because it had moss on it and hanging deadwood, and he put the ultrasound on it as part of addressing that and told me it was dead at its core and taking it down was the best result.

Then the above pic was taken immediately after taking it down, so more than happy I got a expert to fell it (it really was huge) as I'd still be dithering about wondering if it was the right decision.

 

[Smallfry]

Don't bother about looking for a TPO, you can claim genuine ignorance. Get it cut ASAP before it causes real damage and cost. The kill the root. It is about the right time, because the sap will be going down for the winter.

 

[winchman]

Stop and then do nothing until you have a plan.
I believe if you just cut it down it can do further damage so best check with Bob our resident tree botherer.

 

[Kram]

Do nothing of any kind until its at a safe height. Killing a 20 meter ash tree is the quickest way to ensure no tree surgeon wants to climb it, will cost £££££ or destroy your workshop.

Get some pictures. I may be interested despite the extra fuel/driving costs, its not far from a good rock climbing place.
I wouldnt be able to remove any cuttings or logs. Ash burns very well and is great firewood, not requiring much/any time to dry or season.

and told me it was dead at its core and taking it down was the best result.

All trees are "dead" in the core, which contains the xylem vessels. The living part is the cambium, just inside the bark.

Councils can be reasonable, if it has a tpo they might ask it to be replaced but perhaps it could go firther away and be a more suitable variety.
Having worked for council, I have no idea how to check for a tpo without asking. Sometimes theres a tag but a number tag doesnt mean its got a tpo.

 

[brightspark]

Stop and then do nothing until you have a plan.
I believe if you just cut it down it can do further damage so best check with Bob our resident tree botherer.

large trees especialy conifers suck a lot of water out of the ground. if there cut down in one go the ground could get waterlogged depending on the water table and cause probs with the founds . thats why they say cut quarter of it down then after 6 month cut it in half then the rest at a later date

 

[addjunkie]

The tree you describe is big, there will be an incredible amount of good burning fire wood in it, if you take it down. Its a job for a pro. Then kill the root properly.
I had a big ash tree come down due to being hollow rotten, came down in two stages a year apart. We burnt it for nearly 5 winters.

 

[jmp49]

All trees are "dead" in the core, which contains the xylem vessels. The living part is the cambium, just inside the bark.

Yeah he meant the core was hollow, there was nothing left as per the picture. Some of the larger branches were like this too, it wasn't just the trunk and I'm really happy with his advise to not wait and just take it down asap. Once it was down, it was obvious that it was a classic case of ash die back disease that's sweeping most of Europe.

As the others say, bringing down a substantial tree is best left to the pros who know the process and have experience and the right kit and liability insurance if it goes wrong. Because when it goes wrong, it can go really wrong.