Thorny problems: My meddlesome in-law has fiddled with my Freckles Heave ho? We have a protected, very mature walnut tree which is looking sorry for itself. Two local gardeners have suggested that it is at the end of its natural life. This season it leafed early and, unusually, is bearing virtually no fruit. We will consult a local tree surgeon, but are worried that if it does have to come down, it might create problems of heave to three houses that are all about 10m (33ft) from it. Your opinion would be most welcome. David Brown, Lavenham, Suffolk First, a word about trees "looking sorry for themselves" this year: a lot of them are. Foliage has looked sick, with leaf spots and other fungal diseases prevalent, and many have been shedding leaves prematurely. It is, unsurprisingly, mostly about the weather, the extremes of which, not just this summer but over the past two years or so, seem to have upset them. Your walnut tree may not be on its last legs and, as you clearly realise, you should not necessarily take the opinion of "two local gardeners" - or me, for that matter. You need to seek the opinion of a qualified and respected tree surgeon who knows his onions. Or, perhaps more sensibly, more than one qualified tree surgeon. As for the possibility of "heave" (this is a term applied to subsidence caused by the removal or shrinkage of the roots of big trees that have become embedded in building foundations). I have asked tree surgeons about this before, since it seems to be a concern for many, and have been told that it is generally forest trees - oak, sycamore et cetera - that cause the problem. Specifically, where seedlings have tucked themselves in extremely close to house walls and been allowed to develop into mighty trees. For what it is worth: a walnut tree, 10m from buildings, would not seem to fit into this category. A cutting comment I gave a plant of Clematis cirrhosa 'Freckles" to my sister-in-law and planted it in a sheltered south-facing corner close to the wall of her house in Ipswich. It flowered the first year, but failed last year, despite vigorous growth. I think she probably cut it right back that year, although she denies this. This year again it has made good growth, and she wants to cut it back. I have threatened her with death if she does, but could there be another reason for the lack of flowers? Malcolm Harvey, via email I dunno, Malcolm. Sisters-in-law, who needs them? Yes, I bet you are absolutely right and she did indeed cut it back this time last year. The death threat is perhaps a little excessive, but certainly you should confiscate her loppers and secateurs for the winter. Tell her that everything that grew this year will flower early next spring, after which time she can cut back the clematis to contain it if she absolutely must. In your s-i-l's defence, this is a big clematis that needs plenty of room. Maybe you planted it in too small a space.