[eris]

I'm having a house extension built, where the end wall is going to be about two feet from a tall cherry tree in the garden. I would like to keep the cherry tree as it is lovely in early Spring, but it will need two branches lopped off to accommodate the extension. This will unbalance the tree and I'm wondering if it can be braced to keep it upright. I'm also concerned that digging the foundations will undermine it. I think I need the advice of an expert (a tree surgeon possibly?) but I don't know what to look for. Should I just look up a tree surgeon in the Golden Pages? I would appreciate any advice.

[kindredspirit]

I, personally, wouldn't have a flowering cherry tree near the foundations of a house because their roots spread far and wide, far beyond the spread of their branches.

[michael brenock]

you are destabilising the tree by damaging the roots and also by cutting away some main branches. You are also exposing the roots to root diseases.. Cut it down completely and plant a new one after it has finished flowering.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)