2 100 year old Oaks on neighbouring property for removal

[Rebeccap87]

Hello, I’m hoping I can get some advice, I’m also contacting an arborist to assist. 
 

our neighbour has 2 100 year old oaks, around 3/4metres from her property. We are semi detached. The soil type is loamy/clayey and is not free draining. I’ve checked this on a map site that indicates the soil type, our lawn is always boggy in winter. 
 

the neighbour wants to remove both trees next month in one go. This worries me about heave. Is this a possibility and will our property suffer? I will add- the neighbouring property is already suffering cracks in the brickwork above the door lintel. We don’t seem to have anything in the way of cracks at the moment. Pic attached of trees lot be removed. 

[Rebeccap87]

Heave is due to excess in water… I’m confused! I’d never take a tree out like that without surveys myself but yeah maybe I’ll let them crack on… let’s hope that wasn’t an intended pun you used! I’m hoping to be free from cracks and still have a mortgageable home!  

Edited October 16 by Rebeccap87

[Dan Maynard]

That's from Google, but that's almost as bad as using Google for medical advice.

 

I would disagree that heave is -likely- to occur, there is a very specific set of circumstances when it can occur , but we take down trees all the time without it happening. Poor draining doesn't indicate by itself that you are on shrinkable clay.

 

If you  are actually at risk, then when the trees get bigger or in drier summers you'll have subsidence issues, as above I'd say overall if the trees are gone then the ground will stabilise, and then you deal with whatever happens. Most likely nothing.

[Rebeccap87]

Thank you for your comment. That’s very insightful and I really appreciate it. 

[openspaceman]

54 minutes ago, kram said:

You could insist that as part of the works, suitable drainage could be added to maintain ground water at suitable levels, perhaps something like a french drain (channel filled with gravel)

I think this would be unnecessary and an undue burden on the house owner. 1960 build is 64-65 years ago (size fits with that being open grown) and could easily have been planted by the first owner.

 

They are also going to get much bigger if nothing is done.

Edited October 16 by openspaceman
last sentence added

[Domino]

It's become upon the house owner , for whatever reason, to remove these trees.  Respect their decision and move on.  The concerns noted are unlikely to occur and there's nothing that can't be resolved in any case.  In fact, you have noted there is possibly already root invasion and therefore removal and stump treatment seems the most sensible course of action.