Resident Brett Sutherland says Casey Council has so far refused to admit there is a problem, despite never having inspected their house.

A petition signed by 17 residents of the street was presented to the council last month, calling on the removal of all the trees on the nature strip.

However, a council report found that there was only minor footpath damage.

"At present there is no compelling reasons to remove these well-established trees,'' the report stated.

Efforts by Cr Paul Richardson for a more in-depth investigation into the trees' root system were refused, with one councillor likening it to opening "Pandora's box''.

Mr Sutherland said the cracks in the ceiling of the property started six weeks ago and had been growing in excess of 100 millimetres a week.

After several phone calls to the council Mr Sutherland contacted his insurance company who ordered an engineer's report to identify the likely cause.

The report, seen by the Journal, found that the cracks "had formed relatively quickly'' and that there were no defects in the structure of the house.

It concluded that the cracks were caused by a combination of the drought and the "drying effect'' of the 15metre-tall eucalyptus trees on the nature strip.

"The trees are searching for water, and we're not covered by insurance because it's being caused by the trees. So now we have no choice but to fight the council,'' he said.

Mr Sutherland said that while the council was adamant the trees were not causing any damage, they had not inspected any houses along the street.

"They wouldn't even know because they haven't come inside the house and had a look.''

He wants the trees removed before more damage is caused.

"We want them to remove the trees at the front of our property and help us to fix the house. We virtually have to have 50per cent of the plaster on the roof replaced.