Risk of heave cherry tree removal?

[tree removing sad man]

Structural engineer has recommended removal of this cherry tree which is quite close to the house and drains. There is a crack in some brickwork that we are monitoring.

 

House if approx 100 years old, there was a small tree in the same place before which kept this self seeded cherry tree in check until the original tree died (I think) about 6 years ago, then the cherry tree growth exploded.

 

On the site visit the Structural Engineer said to remove the tree. I asked if there was any risk of heave, the structural engineer said if we are worried we could do it in stages.

 

This translated in the report to "Remove the tree in stages to reduce risk of heave" which seems more like back covering now since the initial verbal recommendation was just to remove.

 

The more I look into it the less likely the risk of heave seems to be?

 

If I was to remove in stages what would that look like and over what sort of timeline?

 

Soil according to https://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/ is

 

Soilscape 7: Freely draining slightly acid but base-rich soils
**Texture:**Loamy
**Coverage:**England: 3.1%,Wales: 3.1%,**England & Wales:**3.1%
**Drainage:**Freely draining
**Fertility:**High
**Landcover:**Arable and grassland
**Habitats:**Base-rich pastures and deciduous woodlands
**Carbon:**Low
**Drains to:**Groundwater
**Water protection:**Groundwater contamination with nitrate; siltation and nutrient enrichment of streams from soil erosion on certain of these soils
**General cropping:**Suitable for spring and autumn sown crops and grassland. Shortage of soil moisture most likely limiting factor to yields especially where stony or shallow

Tomato tin can included for perspective.

 

 

 

[Mark Bolam]

Staged removal doesn’t make any difference.

He’s just trying to cover his arse, badly.

 

Just have it out, it’s not big enough to worry about.

[Stubby]

Looks like a crane and mewp job to me .

[Dan Maynard]

23 minutes ago, Stubby said:

Looks like a crane and mewp job to me .

 

You know when you buy a windscreen and first question "Is this on insurance?"

 

Throw in a digger, mog, chipper, stump grinder.....

[Mesterh]

25 minutes ago, Stubby said:

Looks like a crane and mewp job to me .

Just the one crane?

 

[Steven P]

Not sure about causing cracks or heave, it is the go to cause though for the insurers if there is a crack in the house and a nearby tree. If it was me, it is very close to the shed, in a few years left in place will be damaging the shed wall, annual gutter clearing, and so on. Unless it is really sentimental get rid and if you want another put one further from the house.

 

 

Though, and I might be corrected, if the tree has only been there for 6 years the ground levels will settle to that point - the risk of heave is not as great as perhaps a 100 year old mature tree that is older than the house.

[Mark J]

If the build and that of any extensions predate a tree there is very little chance of heave following a removal. 

There has to be a soil moisture deficit in order to increase the potential for heave, this usually would mean an established mature tree already on site at the time of the build. Also, the clay soil will have to be a relatively high plasticity to be a factor.

This isn't professional advice and should not be taken as so.

[Stubby]

Its so small its irrelevant . Its like cutting the grass . 

[Tree monkey 1682]

Can't believe someone called the structural engineeer, either way that tree didnt cause that .

But structural engineers  normal follow a guide that the national federation of builders guidelines,  hence the silly belt and braces comment of doing it in stages. 

[monkeybusiness]

Have you had a drain survey? Cherry roots are very good at finding/exploiting leaks in drains, leading to blockages. This can lead to groundwater issues, which can in turn lead to foundation movement. But this is all highly circumspect! 
Taking the tree out in one go won’t cause any additional future problems.