Jump to content

Log in or register to remove this advert

  • 0

Heave / subsidence from oak on clay soil


joepatr
 Share

Question

Hi all

 

I’m based in North West London (an area with shrinkable clay subsoil) and currently have an oak tree in my garden, approx 6/7 metres tall. 

 

I’d like to have this taken down eventually but am obviously concerned about the risk of not only subsidence but also heave. 

 

Could anyone recommend the best way to manage this to ensure ensure the safety of my property? I was thinking the best way would be to have the tree slowly reduced over a period of time before having the stump totally removed. 

 

Would this be the way forward, if so, how much and over what period? I was thinking taking it down in quarters over the next few years but one of the local tree surgeons suggested thirds every couple of months. 

 

I’d be grateful for any suggestions and also any companies in the Hillingdon area who could help. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Recommended Posts

  • 0

Hi guys thanks for the prompt response. 

 

The house is built in 1926, quite some time ago. I don’t know how much exactly the diameter is, I will attempt to estimate measurements later, but have attached a photo showing the bottom of said tree, but it certainly isn’t a Young tree. 

 

No damage to the house from what I can see, it’s just trying to prevent something in the future. 

07AEE300-1334-45FA-AC46-3CAF931A31B7.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Log in or register to remove this advert

  • 0

Hillingdon ? Problys walked past it today.

Have you engaged an engineer and an arborist Mr Joepatr ? Because they will have given a thorough view of the situation,  which an online guess from us will not suffice. k

 

( Obvs those guys do charge )

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0

I think you are right to be concerned.  The tree clearly has been there a long time.  The house may well have foundations not very deep.  You might get away with felling it without a thought, but it is not worth the risk.

 

Get a professional structural surveyor involved and possibly an arboriculturalist.  I would speak to the insurance company first - they may well recommend a course of action.  After all, you are trying to ensure they don't end up with a multiple thousand pound claim, so they should be very helpful.

 

My house is also built on clay and is the same vintage as yours and last year we had subsidence caused (in part) by a small apple tree.  Your risk as you say is heave not subsidence, but equally destructive.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0
1 minute ago, Squaredy said:

I think you are right to be concerned.  The tree clearly has been there a long time.  The house may well have foundations not very deep.  You might get away with felling it without a thought, but it is not worth the risk.

 

Get a professional structural surveyor involved and possibly an arboriculturalist.  I would speak to the insurance company first - they may well recommend a course of action.  After all, you are trying to ensure they don't end up with a multiple thousand pound claim, so they should be very helpful.

 

My house is also built on clay and is the same vintage as yours and last year we had subsidence caused (in part) by a small apple tree.  Your risk as you say is heave not subsidence, but equally destructive.

An oak within 5m on a shrinkable clay is a definite subsidence risk. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0
1 hour ago, joepatr said:

Hi guys thanks for the prompt response. 

 

The house is built in 1926, quite some time ago. I don’t know how much exactly the diameter is, I will attempt to estimate measurements later, but have attached a photo showing the bottom of said tree, but it certainly isn’t a Young tree. 

 

No damage to the house from what I can see, it’s just trying to prevent something in the future. 

07AEE300-1334-45FA-AC46-3CAF931A31B7.jpeg

Looks a lot more then 6m tall unless it has been topped just above the photo..?

Still not sure what a structural engineer will tell you...

Or what you could do if one did say heave was likely.. 

I guess you could just keep the tree.

I am happy to be corrected..

Subsidence risk is more likely then heave imo.

 

Edited by benedmonds
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 0
3 minutes ago, benedmonds said:

Looks a lot more then 6m tall unless it has been topped just above the photo..?

Still not sure what a structural engineer will tell you...

Or what you could do if one did say heave was likely.. 

I guess you could just keep the tree.

I am happy to be corrected..

Subsidence risk is more likely then heave imo.

 

Yeah maybe a catch 22.  Leave it there and perhaps get subsidence.  Remove it and possibly get heave....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share


  •  

  • Featured Adverts

About

Arbtalk.co.uk is a hub for the arboriculture industry in the UK.  
If you're just starting out and you need business, equipment, tech or training support you're in the right place.  If you've done it, made it, got a van load of oily t-shirts and have decided to give something back by sharing your knowledge or wisdom,  then you're welcome too.
If you would like to contribute to making this industry more effective and safe then welcome.
Just like a living tree, it'll always be a work in progress.
Please have a look around, sign up, share and contribute the best you have.

See you inside.

The Arbtalk Team

Follow us

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.