Foundation Movement

[tim361]

I’ve been asked to remove a large conifer on the boundary of my customers property. Less than 3ft away from the base of the tree is the neighbours house. The neighbour is concerned that if the tree if removed it’s will cause movement around his foundations and result in structural problems with his house. Very much out of my depth here so looking for advice moving forward? Don’t want this to fall back on me at any point in the future. 
 

Cheers all

[Mick Dempsey]

Species.

Soil type.

Age of house.

Photos.

 

Come on, throw us a bone here.

Edited July 30 by Mick Dempsey

[tim361]

Sorry was writing it in the van in a hurry

It’s a lawson cypress, we’re clay soil, and the house dates from the 40’s. Haven’t got a picture the on thing I forgot to do. Tree at the base is 30” in diameter. 

[Mark J]

Is the house the original house or are there any recent extensions?

Edited July 30 by Mark J

[tim361]

From looking at the house the wall nearest the boundary with the tree are original, the extensions are on the other side of the building. 

[Mark J]

3 minutes ago, tim361 said:

From looking at the house the wall nearest the boundary with the tree are original, the extensions are on the other side of the building. 

Soil heave is relatively rare, even when trees predate the build.

 

Without seeing the tree it's tricky to answer your question, but in general so long as the building is older than the tree the soil will stabilise without heave  damage. 

 

But without photographs and site investigation data it is impossible to say for sure one way or another. 

 

[Dan Maynard]

There's a 30" diameter tree 36" away from this guy's house, and he's worried about it being removed? He wasn't worried as it got bigger and bigger, and closer to his wall?

 

What's he going to do when the tree gets bigger? It must be nearly pushing the wall down already.

 

Photos would be good.

[peds]

12 minutes ago, Dan Maynard said:

There's a 30" diameter tree 36" away from this guy's house...

 

So what you're saying is... he could reasonably fit another one in, between the first tree and the house?