Subsidence Claims..

[raafbeard]

Feeling really bad about felling some nice Trees for subsidence claims.

 

I know its paid work but is it always justified ??

 

Reckon the insurance Companies will eventually clear London of mature trees.

 

Anybody else got any opinions on this?

[Jack-Arb aka Tiago Sinclair-Julio.]

I agree with you its realy sad to see nice mature trees being felled because of subsidence specialy in cases where the tree was there first. But the thing with subsidence is a no win thing once the tree is removed it doesn't always solve the problem.

 

People think that once the tree is gone, thats the end of it.

Where does the water go if the tree is not there to suck it up? Depending on the type of foundations, but for alot of then in a spongy soil just keep sinking. Its the end of the story for the arborist but for the insurance company it is'nt. Subsidence can get worse and more insurance claims, it goes on and on...

 

Solution: I think they're called raft foundation where the all house is built on top one flat foundation (just like a raft) so if if moves it all moves. Opposed to foundation that are on each corner of the house.

I learnt all this in my course but this is all that is left in my head. Or build houses in better places and let trees be where they are, difficult in such a crowded country!

 

Jack-arb

[Log-ologist]

Its paved streets and good drainage that has caused subsidence. Blame the car. Whe we had dirt roads or cobbles the rain soaked into the ground. Now the surface is sealed the trees obtain water from deeper down and this may cause the problems.

[Arborist]

It is a shame taking these trees down but if you don't do it someone else will get paid for the work!!

[Lee Winger]

I agree with you its realy sad to see nice mature trees being felled because of subsidence specialy in cases where the tree was there first.

 

Jack-arb

 

 

This is rarely the case mate, years ago trees were felled before the houses went up.

 

I modern times if a building plot has trees on it the property foundations are dug deeper taking into consideration tree roots and moisture extraction.

 

The problem as I see it has more to do with lazy consultants who take one look at a tree, the soil type and property, without investigating all the facts

[Lee Winger]

Its paved streets and good drainage that has caused subsidence. Blame the car. Whe we had dirt roads or cobbles the rain soaked into the ground. Now the surface is sealed the trees obtain water from deeper down and this may cause the problems.

 

 

Maybe in some curcumstances, inapropriate planting has more to do with subsidence imo, planting distances, species etc

[Jack-Arb aka Tiago Sinclair-Julio.]

Maybe in some curcumstances, inapropriate planting has more to do with subsidence imo, planting distances, species etc

 

Yes I do agree with this point of yours, its seen to often the wrong tree in the wrong place... People forget that a tree will grow and out-live most of us in the right circumstances, and what once was a small little tree (in the back of the garden) in a few years will a full mature tree in the wrong place...

 

I dont need to go far, from my bedroom window in terrace house with a garden no longer than 12 metres long there are 2 big poplars at the bottom.

 

That my sweet grandmother planted 20 years ago when she moved in!

 

I've reduced them once after cracks in wall started to appear, all this for the insurance to pay the damage!

 

Jack

[MattyF]

i think most subsidance ive delt with has been down to shite building..........if the surveyors cant find a tree they will blame it on a shrub .......it amazes me people with no arb knowledge are responsable for procesing claims worth millions

[Paul Barton]

i think most subsidance ive delt with has been down to shite building..........if the surveyors cant find a tree they will blame it on a shrub .......it amazes me people with no arb knowledge are responsable for procesing claims worth millions

 

Surely where a tree is thought to be involved an Arb report is commisioned? That's what companies like OCA and Marishal Thompson do for a living isn't it?

 

I agree that often trees are not to blame for subsidence, but where there is a possibility felling a tree is alot cheaper than underpinning which often doesn't solve the problem anyway.

[MattyF]

i know the last two ive dealt with have had no arborist reports what so ever......and was pretty shocked after a conversation with one of the surveyors....still i would not make a decision or put anything in writing about it as im not qualified enough or insured to make such reports or claims,i just do the work im told.