Robinia pseudoacaia close up of trunk growing at the front door step

Thanks for the photo, I now see your problem. It does need to come down but is it growing through the side of your house plus the root damage? I think an expert ought to look at this for you in case its an insurance claim?

Hi that tree and the roots can cause a lot of damage to your foundations and walls, call in an expert before trying to remove it

Agree. That tree is growing where a tree didn't ought to grow. It needs to come out as it is very probably causing problems for the house and it is a job for an expert. Did not the house surveyor comment on this when you bought the house? If not you might have grounds to consider him negligent.

I suspect it would have to be a full house survey for you to have any redress?

I would have thought any surveyor worth his salt should have pointed that out full house survey or no.

They are not obliged to MG

Just a word to say many thanks to all your views. I'll call an expert on Monday and have it removed. I'm not too worried about damage from the roots. I've had a good look under the floor boards inside the house. The inside of the wall underneath is in perfect condition too. It's an 1894 Victorian terrace and my builder said there are no real foundations but it also hasn't moved in all that time. There obviously are roots and as sucj it will have to be taken down in stages maybe a third at a time over one or even two years.

I'll post back when the expert has given his report.

Many thanks again.

PS I think the previous owners were not very clever gardners. The back garden was a field of ground elder on each side with a strip of grass down the middle and a 9' privet hedge. It's all changed now!!

Good luck and please keep us posted.

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