sycamore roots causing subsidence

[robertsonstreecare]

i recently visited a client who explained to me that they have been experiencing what they believe to be root problems causing damage to their house. the cause is potentially a large sycamore tree which stands approximately 5 metres from the house. the question she asked me is could i prove that the roots were the cause of the problem? the tree is protected and the council require proof of root damage before they will consider removing the tree. i advised her that without any excavation work all i could say was that due to the size (height 50 feet, crown spread 40 feet) and the proximity to the building that it was very possible the tree could be causing the problem but i am not sure how this could be proved?? any advice would be welcome!!

 

also may be significant the house actually stands about 10 metres from the tree but they added a conservatory about 5 years ago which is now 5 metres from the butt. the roots at the butt are also raised in a mound, but not protruding through the grass.

[MATTMOSS]

fair enough, no im not pretending to be an expert on the subject but im keen to learn and thought i may aswell ask the question on this site. thats what i thought it was for!

 

That is what its for!, carry on.

[Treecreeper1961]

fair enough, no im not pretending to be an expert on the subject but im keen to learn and thought i may aswell ask the question on this site. thats what i thought it was for!

 

Yeah, don't sweat, I think Oldmilltrees was referring to MattMoss.

Oh, and me.

[Big Joe]

Can't say much about the particulars here without seeing the site. Can outline my protocol for enquiries of this type.

 

1) Always advise homeowner to notify their insurer of damage.

2) Visit site for preliminary assessment. Trees DO damage structures, and when conflict occurs it is very difficult indeed to favour the tree. Root barriers are very expensive, and only the most special of trees will justify such measures.

3) If tree is obviously causing damage, recommend that it be removed.

4) If not cut and dried, ask Authority's Structural Engineer for an opinion.

5) For Authority to be liable, claimant will have to prove that tree management has been negligent: ie was damage "reasonably foreseeable"

6) If insurer's Loss Adjustor suspects liability, then detailed site investigations (soil type, moisture deficit, level monitoring) will be presented.

7) The snag is always that to limit further liability for "reasonably foreseeable damage", Insurer will request tree management (ie felling or pruning) in "mitigation". Biddle's research suggests that even a brutal 30% (volume) crown reduction will only reduce moisture demand by 17% in year 1. Back to normal in year 2 (if tree survives...) Pollarding more effective, but not always appropriate.

 

There are some very helpful and interesting court docs on AIE. The AA event "Getting to grips with subsidence" with Drs Biddle and Dobson is a must! Also well worth reading "Tree Roots in the Built Environment", TSO. Not cheap, but very good indeed.

 

Good luck!

[robertsonstreecare]

Can't say much about the particulars here without seeing the site. Can outline my protocol for enquiries of this type.

 

1) Always advise homeowner to notify their insurer of damage.

2) Visit site for preliminary assessment. Trees DO damage structures, and when conflict occurs it is very difficult indeed to favour the tree. Root barriers are very expensive, and only the most special of trees will justify such measures.

3) If tree is obviously causing damage, recommend that it be removed.

4) If not cut and dried, ask Authority's Structural Engineer for an opinion.

5) For Authority to be liable, claimant will have to prove that tree management has been negligent: ie was damage "reasonably foreseeable"

6) If insurer's Loss Adjustor suspects liability, then detailed site investigations (soil type, moisture deficit, level monitoring) will be presented.

7) The snag is always that to limit further liability for "reasonably foreseeable damage", Insurer will request tree management (ie felling or pruning) in "mitigation". Biddle's research suggests that even a brutal 30% (volume) crown reduction will only reduce moisture demand by 17% in year 1. Back to normal in year 2 (if tree survives...) Pollarding more effective, but not always appropriate.

 

There are some very helpful and interesting court docs on AIE. The AA event "Getting to grips with subsidence" with Drs Biddle and Dobson is a must! Also well worth reading "Tree Roots in the Built Environment", TSO. Not cheap, but very good indeed.

 

Good luck!

 

much appreciated!

[Jesse]

yes its close-direct damage - high risk, -indirect damage, what soil type? i hope you have PI insurance ,if so i will post my calculations tommorow, its fairly simple to work out, it may not be what your client wants to hear. age of house ? stem diam of tree@ ground level would also be good to have, plus confirm distance tree to house, plus soil type? sorry for any bad spellings i dont normally type and its time for my ZMA