Chances of heave if willow is felled?

[boris360]

Hi all,

 

I'm looking for advice on whether I need to get an arborist's report before a willow is felled.

 

The willow is at the bottom of my garden.

The distance from my garden retaining wall is 21 metres.

The tree is downhill from the house on a slope of approx 7º.

It's on clayey, loamy soil (I think).

The tree is mature.

The tree was there before the house was built.

The house is 14 years old.

 

I've spoken to a structural engineer, the council tree advisor and also a tree surgeon all of whom say the tree is too far away to cause heave or any other issues. I thought I'd ask here because I expect there are more knowledgable people on this type of issue.

 

I've read about heave on these forums and also about how bad willows can be hence my caution but I'm not sure how far away a willow can be before it's no longer a problem.

 

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[RobRainford]

This is what the rhs says about it. I'm sure they can't be wrong aswell

 

Our tree has been identified as contributing to subsidence in a neighbouring property. We would prefer not to lose the tree. Will pruning be an effective solution?

 

When a specific tree has been found to be the main cause of subsidence having it felled is usually the most permanent solution. However,*tree reduction*can reduce the amplitude of movement so could be considered as a way to manage the problem. To be effective, pruning needs to reduce the crown volume of the tree by at least 70 percent and be repeated on a regular basis such as every three years. Crown thinning (as opposed to crown reduction) has been found to be ineffective at reducing transpiration rates. Also it should be noted that in cases of permanent deficit (i.e. London clay soils where low permeability leads to deeper permanent drying), felling the tree poses a risk of progressive heave. If there is a risk of significant heave, the only effective solution may be to have the property underpinned

 

 

 

Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk

 

 

 

Have they proven that it's a contributing factor or just speculating?

[boris360]

I'd love to know why it is a 'waste of time' to pollard a willow? Unless of course you had already mentioned the long term management issue with regards the tree.

 

Yes that's right, his advice was based on my specific issue.

 

 

 

ust make sure your house insurance covers heave and forget the risk.....there is not a lot you can do about it - after all the tree may die so what are you going to do then?

 

This seems sensible. I'll check my insurance. My hesitation and caution is partly due to the fact that I don't really have to fell the tree though but as you rightly point out, if the tree dies I'll be in the same boat anyway.

 

I'm trying to work out whether the slope on my garden makes it more, or less likely that I'll have an issue. Does the slope increase or decrease the chances of heave? The tree is downhill from the wall on a 7º gradient. That slope continues past the tree for at least 100 meters. Wouldn't the moisture content of the soil naturally tend to be lower nearer my wall because it's up hill? Does anyone have any thoughts on that?

 

Appreciate all the input so far.

[Gary Prentice]

Claymaster Ground Heave Protection Solutions for Clay | Cordek | Cordek

 

http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/BCservices/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=8993 (p27 concerns floor slabs, not foundations

 

Cellcore HX S - Under Slab Ground Heave Solutions | Cordek

 

.......this is well away from arboriculture.......!

 

and remember this needs to be put in at the time of building construction, not once you have discovered you have a large tree needing removal!

 

Thanks Jon, although it's well away from arboriculture it's still interesting.