Linear Reduction? Any ideas what that is?

[Chris at eden]

Most subsidence is caused by substandard foundations. As you say, smacking trees back is the easy short term option for most assessors. Of course, when the regen comes back with vengeance they'll be back to square one.

 

 

Most subsidence is caused by trees, it's just more common on houses with naf foundations. I agree though topping isn't the answer, it's an endless and expensive cycle.

[Mull]

Most subsidence is caused by trees, it's just more common on houses with naf foundations. I agree though topping isn't the answer, it's an endless and expensive cycle.

 

 

Excuse my ignorance guys, how does topping a tree improve or cease the subsidence?

[Gary Prentice]

Temporarily reduces the trees water uptake or 'demand' , reducing the soils dessication

 

I.e. More water=less shrinkage

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

Sounds like a potential litigation nightmare waiting to happen?

 

So if the tree contractor is directed to carry out a work spec provided by the insurance company, presumably after they have commissioned appropriate expert surveys, what, if any, liability might the tree work contractor bear if, at a later date, it is proven that the tree work conducted has exacerbated the subsidence?

[Chris at eden]

Sounds like a potential litigation nightmare waiting to happen?

 

So if the tree contractor is directed to carry out a work spec provided by the insurance company, presumably after they have commissioned appropriate expert surveys, what, if any, liability might the tree work contractor bear if, at a later date, it is proven that the tree work conducted has exacerbated the subsidence?

 

 

You can't exacerbate subsidence by removing trees. In very rare situations you may get heave but this is only where there is a persistent moisture deficit. This relies on the trees being much older than the property and even then it is rare.

 

The tree surgeon is not being paid to provide expert advice, someone else is and they are simply acting on that. If the investigation is flawed I don't see how that can be the tree surgeons fault.

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

Fair one Chris! Understood

[Chris at eden]

Fair one Chris! Understood

 

Not saying I am right just my opinion. If you took a tree out in your own garden and there was a PSMD that you didn't know about then would you be liable for any damage to your neighbours property. Doesn't make sense to me. What if your tree died? Isn't the fault in that situation with the builder for not taking account of the underlying soil conditions when installing the foundations? Its also the rain that causes the damage as rehydration occurs.

 

I attended a subs seminar a couple of years ago with Giles Biddle and Martin Dobson. One of the other attendees mentioned they had been instructed to fell trees causing subsidence but at the same time been put on notice for heave. Giles went as far as to say you cant be sued for heave if I remember correctly. I asked about a case (I forget the ref) where an engineer was sued after he recommended felling but failed to identify the risk of heave that then happened. Giles view was, that this was more to do with the inappropriate investigation than the heave itself.

 

Not sure, be interested to hear the views of others.

[Mull]

Temporarily reduces the trees water uptake or 'demand' , reducing the soils dessication

 

I.e. More water=less shrinkage

 

 

Thanks👍

[Loler UK]

Some bed tine reading for some people perhaps?: http://dealgas-treeconsultancy.co.uk/dealga/files/resources/Tree%20Related%20Subsidence%20Pruning%20is%20not%20the%20answer.pdf

[benedmonds]

Most subsidence is caused by substandard foundations.

I am not sure subsidence is ever caused by substandard foundations.. but any building that has suffered subsidence WILL have substandard foundations. Otherwise it wouldn't have moved..