Tony Dickerson answers your questions
Q What’s the rampaging plant growing on waste ground adjoining my garden?
Betty Pedley, Halifax, West Yorkshire
A It appears to be western balsam poplar tree ( Populus trichocarpa). There are several species of balsam poplar but this one is characterised by large, dark green, shield-shaped leaves up to 20cm (8in) long. The foliage has a distinctive balsam smell, especially after rain. It’s an important timber tree in its native area in western North America, but growing to nearly 30m (100ft) it isn’t a garden tree. The usual advice is not to plant poplars within 40m (130ft) of drains due to their invasive root systems. It also has a reputation for being invasive by readily spreading from suckers produced from the roots. It’s no great problem as long as it stays the other side of the fence. You can cut back any branches that grow over, although by law you should offer them back to the owner who doesn’t have to accept them if they so choose. That’s presuming you can trace the owner, which may be an important concern if the suckers spread into your garden. If the land is owned by the council then it’s relatively easy to get something done. No one is allowed to cause a nuisance to someone else and with councils there’s a ready course to follow to get action.
If the land is owned by a private individual or a development company it may be more difficult to get something done as it would be a civil matter. Information about who owns a piece of land can be obtained from the Land Registry, which holds records about most property or land sold in England or Wales since 1993.
The landowner may not be aware of any problem and may be happy to help out. If the tree was felled and the stump not killed that would explain the rapid spread of suckers. It’s a simple job for a qualified tree surgeon to kill stumps. However, if the tree’s still standing the cost of removal would be high. Ultimately, the law would be entirely on your side but rectifying the situation might involve engaging a solicitor.