Plant growing on chimney

[rbj1933]

There is a large plant (nearly a tree) growing out of my chimney. If I pay a builder to remove it, how can I ensure that it doesn't just grow back again? What will happen if I do nothing?
Several other houses in the road have the same problem. Most of them owner-occupied so am I worrying too much?
It's a terraced house so the chimney belongs to both my nice neighbour and to me. Should I ask him to share the price?
I need to know what to ask the builders when I get quotes.

 

[Nige F]

can you post a pic ? - I`ll bet it`s a buddlea

 

[^woody^]

Check that its not the neighbour's fireside yucca

 

[upstairscharly]

I'm going with Buddlea too. If left they will cause problems to render, pointing & bricks. They have quite tough roots. Removed and treated with Glyphosate should do it. Problem is though Buddlea is very tolerant and can grow pretty much anywhere, it only takes one seed to get up there maybe by a bird & you've got another one growing.