Pavtree

The subsidence damage, cracks in walls visible both inside and outside property manly at front of property . Doors sticking that had to be adjusted the last time we went through this. We've had to adjust the slope on some guttering as the water was no longer flowing properly, not sure if that's related to the subsidence. There's no dispute by any party that it's definitely subsidence damage caused by soil shrinkage Investigations have been carried out by the company that the insurers have asked to look at things. Trial pots, level monitoring, soil analysis etc. There isn't really any dispute from the Council that the tree is the cause of the issue, the question is how to best deal with things so that it doesn't happen again. Two arborist have advised that the tree needs to be removed in their reports. An informal approach has been made to the Council by the company lookng after the claim asking the Council to remove the tree and they have said that they would rather install a root barrier. This concerns us as it is is going against professional advice and with the tree being so close to property we are really worried that severing the roots would make what is very large tree unstable.

Thank you for the response . Pruning has already been tried without success. I know it might be difficult without seeing the site but could you give an opinion as to the feasibility of root barrier . The tree is an oak, about 17m high and 9 m from the property. Is there not an area within which roots should not be cut to avoid destabilizing the tree. Just how wide do these barriers need to be to be effective and are barriers actually effective in managing water uptake in clay soils.

Hi We have a large council owned tree on the pavement outside our property which has caused subsidence on multiple occasions over the last 15 years . The Council has only been prepared to deal with the matter by way of pruning in the past but on each occasion the problem reapers after a few years and we are currently going through the nightmare again. On each occasion tree experts have advised that the only long term solution is the removal of the tree. Our insurers have handed the dealing of the claim to a third party and their procedures are confusing us so we would appreciate some advice. They have sent a letter to the council asking them to remove the tree, the council have come back saying no but we will install a root barrier. Nothing has been done at this point to check if a root barrier is actually feasible. We have asked the third party why they have not made a formal application to remove the tree which would mean that we could appeal to the Secretary of State if consent to remove was not given. Their response, it's not needed. Is this normal procedure? They now appear to be saying that they would firstly have to ask for the TPO to be removed before they could make an application to have the tree removed. Does a TPO have to removed before an application is made or can an application to remove a tree be made while a TPO is in place. In general terms when a council gives permission to fell a TPO tree, do they remove the TPO? Thanking you in advance