Tree sap

[jonnyMercUK]

We have a listed oak tree over our drive and every year we have a problem with the tree sap on the cars.

I find myself cleaning the cars every weekend - which I don't mind however just wondering if anyone had any advice or experience with tree sap.

 

[whitenemesis]

How about using a car cover? Otherwise keep a good coating of wax on the paintwork!

Do you want to fell the tree? If so keep petitioning the council and show it's causing material damage. Even better if you can get the insurance company involved. How close is it to your house, potential for subsidence?

 

[Dieselman]

Do you want to fell the tree? If so keep petitioning the council and show it's causing material damage. Even better if you can get the insurance company involved. How close is it to your house, potential for subsidence?

There is no way permission will be granted to fell an Oak tree due to dropping sap.
We can't even fell ours if it dies due to it supporting hundreds of species of wildlife.

Unless it's a young oak tree it is unlikely to damage house foundations as it was there a long time before the house.
Ours is about 260 years old.

We might end up having to have it down though as it keep suffering with Laetiporus. We've had it reduced three times to the cost of thousands so far to keep it safe.

 

[whitenemesis]

There is no way permission will be granted to fell an Oak tree due to dropping sap.
We can't even fell ours if it dies due to it supporting hundreds of species of wildlife.

Unless it's a young oak tree it is unlikely to damage house foundations as it was there a long time before the house.
Ours is about 260 years old.

Which is why I mention subsidence. My mother's tree was "listed" until her neighbour petitioned it's felling because of subsidence. Their insurance co supported their petition. The age has nothing to do with it, as an old tree will still draw moisture from the ground. 2yrs later the petition was granted.

 

[Dieselman]

Which is why I mention subsidence. My mother's tree was "listed" until her neighbour petitioned it's felling because of subsidence. Their insurance co supported their petition. The age has nothing to do with it, as an old tree will still draw moisture from the ground. 2yrs later the petition was granted.

Unless subsidence is a genuine issue, I think it's a shame to cut down a mature Oak tree.

Ours is a pain, it drops leaves, causes the garden to be shaded, costs a bundle, but I still think it's worth keeping as there are so few natural ones left. It brings wildlife into the garden that otherwise wouldn't visit.

 

[jonnyMercUK]

The tree is around 5 meters from the house and next to the garage. We have only been in the house 10 months so I don't know much about the history, all I know is it's very old. The concrete floor in the garage is quite clearly cracked near enough from all wall to wall. We have had problems with blocked drains but i'm not sure the tree is causing the problems (but it could be...)

 

[Dieselman]

How big is the tree diameter?

5m from the house sounds a bit close for an oak tree unless the house was recently built so has deep concrete footings.

Drain leakage is the likely cause of the garage floor slab cracking.

 

[whitenemesis]

Unless subsidence is a genuine issue, I think it's a shame to cut down a mature Oak tree.

Ours is a pain, it drops leaves, causes the garden to be shaded, costs a bundle, but I still think it's worth keeping as there are so few natural ones left. It brings wildlife into the garden that otherwise wouldn't visit.

Agreed, which is why we fought 2yrs to save it!

 

[stevieb15]

The tree is around 5 meters from the house and next to the garage. We have only been in the house 10 months so I don't know much about the history, all I know is it's very old. The concrete floor in the garage is quite clearly cracked near enough from all wall to wall. We have had problems with blocked drains but i'm not sure the tree is causing the problems (but it could be...)

Did you have a survey carried out prior to purchase?
I'd have thought any material issues relating to the tree should have been mentioned.
Fresh lemon juice can dissolve chewing gum on carpet so it may work on tree sap.
I join with DM in encouraging you to keep the tree unless it's causing serious damage, it may have been growing for hundreds of years, if you do have to fell it hopefully you'll plant another two elsewhere on your property.

 

[whitenemesis]

The tree is around 5 meters from the house and next to the garage. We have only been in the house 10 months so I don't know much about the history, all I know is it's very old. The concrete floor in the garage is quite clearly cracked near enough from all wall to wall. We have had problems with blocked drains but i'm not sure the tree is causing the problems (but it could be...)

Sounds exactly the scenario we had with mother's tree! A trench was dug to reveal tree roots under the foundations.

 

[jonnyMercUK]

It's a 1930's house, sorry I meant it's 5m from the garage, it's around 8m from the house. There is a pit in the middle of the garage so no drains under it. The drain backing up is at the back of the house

 

[Alps]

We have one in our front garden, we leave the car there for more than a few mins in the summer and its covered in Sap also, just wax it well and wash it weekly during summer, enjoy the tree

 

[jonnyMercUK]

We like the tree, it looks really nice and if it was to come down I would definitely plant something else. The tree sap is nothing really as the cars can be cleaned, I'm more bothered about the cracks in the garage floor and don't want them going to the house. Is it a council issue?

 

[whitenemesis]

The council will have control over the preservation but it's more an insurance issue. Fail to prevent a problem and they could kick-up nasty.

 

[300CE]

I also have a problem with tree sap when the seasons change from spring all they way through to winter. I live in a conservation area and so there is a long old process just to get them topped. I use a car cover in these months and remove it when winter sets back in - it isn't expensive and cost about £20.00 - certainly does the job.

It may also be worth claying your car (if you haven't already done so) as this makes cleaning easier.

 

[Dieselman]

It's a 1930's house,

A house of that age will have spread footings, which trees can cause havoc with.
8m isn't much for a mature oak tree.

 

[jonnyMercUK]

I also have a problem with tree sap when the seasons change from spring all they way through to winter. I live in a conservation area and so there is a long old process just to get them topped. I use a car cover in these months and remove it when winter sets back in - it isn't expensive and cost about £20.00 - certainly does the job.

It may also be worth claying your car (if you haven't already done so) as this makes cleaning easier.

I did buy a car cover last summer, however it was a pain to keep putting it on and off.

 

[jonnyMercUK]

A house of that age will have spread footings, which trees can cause havoc with.
8m isn't much for a mature oak tree.

Thanks for your help, I'll be onto the council this morning I think

 

[300CE]

I did buy a car cover last summer, however it was a pain to keep putting it on and off.

I must admit there is a bit of an art to it, but once you've got the hang it only takes a few minutes and saves a potential 2 hours re-cleaning your motor!

I just find where the wing mirror parts are, put these on first and the rest is a doddle.

 

[Robag]

To remove tree sap I use alcohol based hand gel sanitizer. It will also remove any wax/polish so you'll need to re-treat.