Cupressus vs wall?

[stevelucocq]

Hi,

 

There is a large mature roadside cupressus macrocarpa that is in good health with the main crown being high and grown from a large central main stem (a pretty good looking tree, sorry no photos!). The tree has started to push out a 2 metre high retaining wall. This tree is being considered to be felled and I was wondering what experiences people have on the likelihood of cupressus failing (at base or branches?) and the cost/options for wall stabilizing and repair to keep the tree?

 

Many thanks steve

Edited November 20, 2009 by stevelucocq
spelling

[Dean O]

hi steve.

 

if the trees healthy then it would be a shame to lose it.

 

i guess its down to the stabilty of the wall and the likely hood of the tree following it over the bank if the wall gives up.

 

so next port of call engineers report, but if its roadside im guessing he will air on the side of caution if only to cover his back.

 

is whoever resposnsible for it likely to cough up for the cost of reinforcing / rebuilding the wall. is it logistically possible in its position?

 

if the wall is taken down and rebuilt is there an issue of its stability while this work is carried out? or is it far enough from the road to build a second retaining wall further out and back filling.

would be interesting to find out how far its custodians are prepared to go to save it

sorry for rambling....

no experience of total failure, just lever arm fractures on leggy limbs.

[Doug Blease]

I have worked on a LOT of Macrocarpa in a previous life. They are horrible to climb, very sticky, very dusty, sharp dead wood etc as I am sure you are aware. A good habitat for some small songbirds however, therefore if you have to take it down do so outwith the nesting period.

 

Why not remove it and replace it with another juvenile tree after repairing the wall? Surely cheaper for your customer than engineering the wall and surrounding area?

 

Doug Blease

[jamesw]

has it recently had storm damage?

[stevelucocq]

Hi,

 

Thanks for the reply….hi james there was no sign of a resonant failure.

 

There are a few problems with the wall but as far as I am aware the wall is not likely to fail in the near future. The wall is an old Victorian wall so holds a lot of value and needs to be preserved. I think the option of rebuilding walls wider on the pavement is difficult to arrange with highways.

 

So leaving the options of removing and replanting or retaining and carefully rebuilding the wall as required allowing some future growth from the tree.

 

So what I was wondering is that has anyone had any experience of carrying out work repairing walls close to trees and is there any written guidance available?

 

Sorry I too am now rambling!

 

Thanks Steve

[Paul Barton]

Some sort of raft foundation across the main roots would make sense to minimise future damage. How close are we talking - does the stem touch the wall or is it set back a bit?

[tommer9]

Try and get some Pics up mate. I have done walling and macs, but cant really get a mental image of what you mean mate.

[stevelucocq]

How close are we talking - does the stem touch the wall or is it set back a bit?

 

approx 1 metre away from wall.

 

Cheers steve