Jump to content

Log in or register to remove this advert

Trees on banks and retaining walls


benedmonds
 Share

Recommended Posts

I have come across this a few times but never really been happy with any solutions.  

What advice would you give to a client with a retaining wall being damaged by a tree.

Builders normally want to remove the trees so they can excavate rebuild.  

Others are will just remove the wall and cut any roots in the way.

 

In this case the tree is protected as is the wall... I am nervous that if the wall is removed stability could be compromised but not sure of any tried methods that others might have used.

31 magdala rd.jpg

2 (1).jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Log in or register to remove this advert

1 minute ago, Rough Hewn said:

I’ve got the same but in a CO.
Now they’ve slapped a TPO on it too.
My advice. Be prepared for a long battle with the council.emoji22.pngemoji22.pngemoji22.png

I don't want a battle, I want a practical engineering solution so the wall can be repaired without damaging the tree.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There isn’t one. It’s a conflict between two protected things. If you don’t cut the roots back they’ll keep pushing on the wall. You can’t build the wall further away cause it’s not the wall owners land. 
 

you could potentially airspade back and then build a secondary retaining wall that the tree can’t push over. Lots of work and mega money just because common sense can’t be applied by the council. 

Edited by doobin
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, benedmonds said:

I don't want a battle, I want a practical engineering solution so the wall can be repaired without damaging the tree.

I cannot think of a solution other than sheet piling between the tree and wall but my concern would be that Heras fencing won't stop anything and walls falling have killed a few people in my recent recollection of reading the news.

 

The lime doesn't seem without issues either and no shortage of trees in the vicinity.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Arbtakk discussed this to death a couple of years ago. I recall my take was firstly to gauge how badly the client wants to keep the tree. This will establish whether it's a fight or a budget issue. Secondly if it's a fight, put an application in to remove (or possibly combined crown and root prune during a wall rebuild) and make it clear the tree is damaging the wall and will continue to do so. If refused, the Council will then become liable in compensation for further damage. You'd want a look at the possibility too of catastrophic failure, and if that's a reasonable possibility it might be defensible to undertake reduction based on the TPO risk exemption.

The rebuilding will depend on available space. A reinforced concrete wall will be a lot stronger per volume than masonry, so a replacement RC wall could be faced with stone slips cut from the existing wall.

It's going to come down to what is considered a reasonable hoop-jumping extent. The Council might not give a damn about expense but the courts don't say you have to go to any lengths to find an engineering solution. And if the Council's being unreasonable then appeal a refusal. An Inspector will probably (eventually) take a more pragmatic view.  Ideaslly then the parties will from the outset will anticipate a sensible appeal decision and won't make it have to go that far.

 

The pics suggest it's gone beyond doubt that removal of the wall would contribute quite soon to tree failure. The stones look pushed out so far that it's not just soil pressire, it's actual woody roots. Seriously limited options for cutting back the sorts of knuckles that cause that kind of deflection. The roots won't be needed for support unless htey're going straight downwards, but cuttign them in an aerated 'soil' environment with no room for callus will let in infection.  Wrong tree, wrong place.

 

How is the wall protected? Listed building?

 

Is htis in an area of shrinkable clays?

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Exactly as Daltontrees says👍. This wall was unlikely to of been built that far out of plumb. As a rule of thumb if a wall is a third of its width out of vertical(or more) it should be considered potentially dangerous even without the cracks and dislodged walling stones? and should be surveyed and the fault rectified. It will have to be dismantled down to sound walling and rebuilt. The soil behind would have to be cut back as obviously work space is required.

Without knowing the wall thickness but taking a guess 🤔 it’s probably a combination of insufficient thickness, poor mortar, overloading of fill behind the wall and the tree🤭

A substantial RC wall with a facing would have to be probably thicker than existing and with little room to encroach onto what looks like a public pavement the tree will probably have to go😢. The tree won’t continue to flourish without the wall! As openspace says - if that wall fails the Heras fencing won’t stop Jack😳 Whoever has put this in place thinking it solves the problem is plain and simply wrong. Just a logical thought process as to what would happen if: (risk assessment )🤔would tell you that If the wall was to fail somebody could get seriously injured or worse! What if it was your children, grandchildren walking past? The council cannot refuse the tree removal once the run away train comes down the hill in their direction with the risk to the public safety down to them 😳.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The fact they have fenced it means they have admitted its dangerous, the loose walling needs removing asap or fence moving to allow for falling bricks not to push the Heras over as it’s the land owner liable when someone gets hurt.
I think its 100 tree removal and rebuild the wall, too close and too high up, anything planted there will in the future cause the same. Should be an easy win with the council for removal too as removal of the wall or replacement wouldn’t be in keeping with the area.

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.