How to remove sapling without damaging lavender bush

Have you tried pulling it up?

We sometimes have problems with sycamore saplings and they can be very hard to pull up because the roots seem to go quite deep.

You could try pushing the lavender twigs aside so that you can reach the roots of the sapling. If that doesn't work, maybe you'll manage to kill it if you keep cutting it off when it starts to grow.

My sympathies. I’m surrounded by sycamore trees. Horrible things. If it was me I’d wait till later in the year when the lavender probably needs cutting back anyway, then I’d lift it all up with a fork, prise the sycamore away from the lavender and then replant the lavender as quickly as possible. But I’m no expert. I mistakenly planted a dwarf lilac ( which is growing much bigger than expected) next to a Photinia and later in the year I’ve got to separate them so that’s what I’m going to do.

The roots can go deep, so not easy to pull.

I once took one out by using a large kitchen knife to cut into the soil all the way round, as close as I could get to the sapling, Then I went round again at a slight angle, trying to weaken the root all the way round. Then a big heave and the whole plug came out. All well and good, but the knife wasn't a great deal of use afterwards!

Now you know it's there cut it down, stick in a bamboo cane to mark the spot and keep on cutting it down everytime it develops so much as a leaf bud. It will give in eventually!

In my garden the culprits are ash seedlings. I pull them out where possible, but your sycamore looks quite large. I find the best way of grasping and keeping hold of the base of the stalk is with a Mole wrench. Good luck!

I agree with Maybee remove the lavender carefully, haul out the sycamore and replant the lavender.

My neighbours have an enormous sycamore - horrible dirty tree. The keys/seeds block my gutters and others take root everywhere. I managed to pull quite a big sapling out yesterday as the ground was sodden and I twisted the stem around my hand to get a good grip.
I think it sounds best to lift as much as you can, separate the sapling, then replant the lavender.

Oh sycamore are the bane of my life a huge tree opposite and the babies are growing everywhere and the neighbours don’t seem to mind or know what they are or how big they can get

The longer you leave it the worse it will be. Dig it out keeping as close to the sapling as possible. Once you get so far down you may be able to pull it out. Then smooth the lavender back in. The other alternative is to cut the sycamore as low as possible and dig it out when the lavender stops flowering. You are going to have to bite the bullet on this one.

I've just had a quote from a tree surgeon to fell , log and leave logs in situ, a dying elm tree which had self seeded about 20 years ago. £750 .
Pull it out now while you still can!!

Grammaretto

I've just had a quote from a tree surgeon to fell , log and leave logs in situ, a dying elm tree which had self seeded about 20 years ago. £750 .
Pull it out now while you still can!!

Ouch! Hope you can use the logs once they are seasoned.

On the subject of trees, there’s a loose branch on a tree overhanging my driveway. Am I responsible for getting it removed or is it the responsibility of the owner of the tree? I can’t park underneath it in case it dislodges itself and falls on my car. I sometimes have to pay to have the branches removed but this is just a branch that’s broken off in the wind.

You need to go and talk to the owner and ask them to have it removed. Or is there a problem with the neighbour?

He’s the local farmer. Rich beyond belief but when he had a Sycamore tree removed that was overhanging my garden he made me pay towards it! The tree is the bane of my life. It’s roots are lifting my driveway, the pine needles fill my gutters and the pigeons that roost in it poo all over my house. But it has a preservation order on it! I had some branches removed a few years ago but they still didn’t remove enough imo.

I agree with Fleur - if its loose and dangerous just pop round and ask nicely if they'd help you remove it as you're worried it'll dislodge and damage your car.
It is his responsibility but you are entitled to remove it yourself, but that could be costly.
Just don't antagonise the neighbours by stomping round, all guns blazing like ours did with us after a branch blew into their drive after a storm - we'd have shifted it anyway but their attitude really spoiled a friendly co-existence.

Sorry, your post arrived as I was typing that reply - but all the same I'd be as polite as possible.

Goodness, MayBee70, that farmer neighbour had a cheek insisting you contribute to the cost of removal of a tree that was on his property! No wonder he’s rich. He wouldn’t have got a penny from me.

MayBee70

He’s the local farmer. Rich beyond belief but when he had a Sycamore tree removed that was overhanging my garden he made me pay towards it! The tree is the bane of my life. It’s roots are lifting my driveway, the pine needles fill my gutters and the pigeons that roost in it poo all over my house. But it has a preservation order on it! I had some branches removed a few years ago but they still didn’t remove enough imo.

Did you ask for the other tree to be removed? Or did he do so of his own bat?

What sort of tree is the current problem- preservation orders should only be for 'special' trees. Several of us tried to put a TPO on a massive and wonderful walnut tree- and it was refused because they said it is 'non native'- the UK has had walnut trees for 100s of years. We all knew why, 2 of the local Councillors were involved in a landsale for a building development, and they knew a walnut tree would lead to complaints as walnuts would fall on road access and stain.

I didn’t ask him. However he built a dwelling for one of his farm workers and I think some of the trees were affecting the BT wiring going to the property. It’s funny how rich farmers are able to remove trees that people like me can’t. His father seemed to have a fondness for Sycamore trees. My problem tree is a Scots Pine. Three times the height of my house and probably makes my house unsellable. I certainly wouldn’t buy it if I had my time again and I don’t think a house would be allowed to be built so close to a mature tree now. I think he plans to buy my house when I’m gone because there is an access gate to his farm next to my house.I think I need to sum up some assertiveness! His father put up the fencing round my garden and the other gardens bordering his land and shouted at me for putting the trellis back onto it that had been on the original fence! It’s all a bit feudal!

A Scots pine is very unlikely to have a TPO on it. Why don't you ask the Council for advice, and legal advice too. And your House Insurance. We had a problem with very tall limetrees from the pub next door causing subsidence- the insurance paid for all the removal of one out of two trees and full under pinning and claimed against their insurance. No-one has the right to cause such damage to your property - you truly need to seek proper advice.

We have many sycomores and ash trees on our property boundary- and yes, two will have to come down and will be logged to keep us in fire wood for many many years- but I love and respect those native trees- only those too close to the house will go, and yes, it is a constant battle to remove self sown of both.

Why do you say a Scots pine is very unlikely to be subject to a TPO fleurpepper? What’s your reasoning there?

In a conservation area all trees have the same protection as if they were subject to TPOs.

When I had some of the branches removed the tree surgeon had to apply for permission from the council. I had to change my house insurance years ago because the insurer a the time refused to continue insuring a house with such a large tree next to it. I often see people on Facebook criticise people for wanting to have trees removed and I love trees but if I could wish away my tree ( and several more that overhang my back garden) I would. The roots also cover the area in the front garden where the water pipes are? I’m forever sweeping up pine needles and cleaning bird poo off the windows! I never foresaw the problems when I was in my twenties.

Germanshepherdsmum

Why do you say a Scots pine is very unlikely to be subject to a TPO fleurpepper? What’s your reasoning there?

In a conservation area all trees have the same protection as if they were subject to TPOs.

Good question. Just depends if it is native to the area.

MayBe, if the tree is causing real issues, puts your car, you and visitors at risk of severe injury, and causing possible subsidence- you need to get advice asap. TPO or not, if the tree is doing all of the above, the TPO should be put aside.