Tree removal & heave advice

[alexsmith]

Hi

 

I would like some advice for the best approach to remove a tree from my garden.

 

We have recently moved into the house and during the sale we had a survey conducted. The survey recommended that we remove a silver birch tree from the garden and that we should do this gradually to reduce the chances of heave. Following this I spoke to a number of tree surgeons who all assured me that this practice is no longer used and that we should remove the tree in one go.

 

The house is a Victorian terrace and was built around 1900 in Bristol BS3. I believe parts of Bristol have clay soil and are therefore susceptible to subsidence. The area is known to have previously been used for mining and I am therefore slightly worried that removing the tree may cause heave.

 

The tree is a silver birch (I have attached some photos below). It is approximately the size of the two story house, with a trunk diameter of 90cm and is around 5m from the nearest property.

 

I am considering the following options:

1) Consulting a structural surveyor for an opinion in the likelihood of heave

2) Removing the tree gradually

3) Removing the tree in one go

 

I would be very grateful if anyone has any experience in this they could pass on.

 

Many thanks in advance.

Kind regards

 

Alex

[Mortimer Firewood]

Remove in one go.

[Mick Dempsey]

That's not 90cm diameter, circumference maybe.

 

What with the steps and wall etc, zero chance of heave.

 

 

Remove it in one go.

[john p]

Zero chance of heave, I'd leave it in

[stihlmadasever]

I really doubt removing that tree would give any negative implications.

What did the survey highlight to convince you to remove it ?

[Mick Dempsey]

Gives them something to write/justify the fee.

[Steven P]

I'm not an expert but a quick internet search suggests that silver bircj have shallow roots. So looking at the picture where the tree is on a raised garden above the level of the house, Iwould guess that there would be few roots affecting the house itself.

 

So I wouldn't worry too much - do with it what you want,

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Option 4. = pour yourself a cup of tea and enjoy the view of your tree.

 

The surveyor is misinformed and the phrase meaning "covering one's posterior" comes to mind.

 

Its a lovely tree but if you have other reasons for wanting it removed 'crack on."

 

Heave is rare and only occurs where tree significantly pre-dates the structure such that it is built on desiccated sub-soils. This is clearly not the case here.

 

IN 12 years of managing +20k trees I encountered heave once where a development was built on land that was previously established woodland and yes the damage was massive and the cost to the insurers similar.

 

Paul

[Chris at eden]

I agree with Paul on this one. Additionally, Birch is a low water demand tree which would further reduce the risk. I do mortgage reports in Bristol from time to time and I have never considered heave as an issue. I've never come across a high shrinkage clay there but they do have Mercia Mudstone which can be clay like and shrinkable but only in its weathered state. Compacted Mudstone tends to be less shrinkable or so I am told by the BGS. The big thing is that the tree doesn't date back to Victorian times so I don't see how the house could have been built on a pre-desiccated soil.

 

I've never been able to get my head around this whole removing in stages either. I know its in one of the BRE guides but ultimately if you remove a tree on a pre-desiccated soil, the soil will recover to its original level. So therefore the movement will be the same ultimately just at a slower rate if removed in stages!!! Doesn't stack up for me. Cue - Dr Heuch to poke a hole in my theory.

 

The usual disclaimer - to the OP, please don't take the above as professional advice as I have not seen the site or investigation in detail, this is just my initial impression.

 

Cheers

[Ian C]

Paul (AA techie ) is on the money, so many mis unformed people jump the gun to heave etc , leave it and enjoy the shade in summer.

 

Sent from my SM-N910F using Arbtalk mobile app

[Mark Bolam]

I think it's a nice tree, I've never worked on it.

 

Personally I'd keep it.

 

If leaves are an issue a rake is cheaper than a takedown.