Willow tree in clay near property

[Swaity]

Hi all, I'm new to this forum so apologies if this subject has been discussed alot. I have a Twisted Willow tree 3.3m from my property. The soil is clay and when I built the extension (the section from the downpipe onwards)  I ended up having to use piles with cardboard sleeves to prevent any future damage to the extension incase the tree is removed. The main building was built in 1930's and pre dates the tree. My concern is the amount of cracking inside the house on the nearest wall that has appeared over the last 6 years mainly in the original house.  My question is whether it is safe to remove the tree without causing more issues? I imagine the very dry weather hasn't helped things or perhaps the tarmac around the house has neant less water gets into the clay soil. Will the clay heave and cause more damage if i remove the tree? Will crown removal help. I read somewhere that it's OK to remove the tree because it was planted after the house was built. Also the tarmac has lifted and shows that a large root is heading towards the extension. Any advice would be most welcome.

[openspaceman]

This isn't likely to be tree related and I am no structural engineer nor expert anything but my guess is there is differential movement between the original building and the extension, as the extension has piled foundations they are probably better than a 1930s strip foundation and hence probably move less as the soil moisture changes.

[john87]

Well, let me put it like this.. If you cut the tree down and the ground DOES swell, it is only going to go back to where it was BEFORE the tree was planted there which is well after the house was built..

 

I would imagine that having the tree there is going to greatly increase the usual seasonal cyclical movement that you would see if the house footings were not deep anough.. As openspaceman said, could very well be differential movement as a result of the extension having piled foundations.. Is the brickwork between the two tied in?? I would think it should not be as you have two different construction types..

 

If it were me i would remove the tree without a second thought.. You are not going to make things worse and you WILL reduce seasonal changes...

 

Where are the cracks, how do they run.. Are they getting worse, do they open and close with the seasons??

 

john..

[Swaity]

Thank you for your quick responses. The extension has definately faired better. The foundations on the 1930s section are shallow strip foundations and the extension is tied into the existing brickwork with no vertical joint.  A crack begins above the back door (ext side) and continues through the mortar joints to the upper window on the 1930's side so there is differential movement and in hindsight it would have been better to have a vertical movement joint between the two sections. Cracks on the inside of the 1930 bit suggest the outside wall has dropped and rotated slightly as the cracks in the abuting walls are at 45 degrees and get wider as they reach the ceiling. The cracks don't seem to close seasonally at the moment but its been so dry perhaps as the tree has grown its taking every drop of rain it can suck out the ground.My gut feeling was to remove the tree but I'm no tree expert and I wanted to check with arboriculturists that things wouldn't get worse for a property that was built before the tree existed. Also there is a Yew tree near the front of the house in the neighbours garden so no doubt that it is having a similar affect on the clay but not as much as the Willow.

[Decro]

Living in an area of heavy clay I can understand your situation.

Surely the first step is to involve your building insurers and get their advice/opinion. Otherwise, in the event of a claim, they could say any action you take has made the situation worse.

When you took out building insurance did you have to give details of any trees near the property?

Good luck with the outcome.

[Swaity]

Hi, that's a good point. I certainly can't recall any questions regarding trees near the property.