Tree height and house

clanless · Oct 19, 2015

I've looked into the potential impact of tree roots on property. I was thinking about planting a tree in one on my previous homes. There are a lot of myths around.

The tree roots will not damage a concrete foundation - the problems come if you are built on clay soil - the roots suck out all the moisture in the ground and the clay shrinks - which can cause subsidence.

The roots will crack pipes.

Before my current place - I was looking at a bungalow around the corner with a couple of mature oaks in the garden - one of which was say 4m from the bungalow - the surveyors report only mentioned potential damage to sewerage pipes not the foundations.

I'd just trim the trees to a 'natural' (smaller) shape and enjoy them.

Sheal · Oct 20, 2015

clanless said: ↑
The tree roots will not damage a concrete foundation - the problems come if you are built on clay soil - the roots suck out all the moisture in the ground and the clay shrinks - which can cause subsidence.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry clanless the above is wrong. Conifer roots did damage my foundations, it was discovered when my drains were being replaced. My bungalow is built on sandy soil not clay.

shiney · Oct 20, 2015

With regard to the trees in the photo:-
The conifer is not old enough to have done any structural damage yet but there is potential for it to happen. It seems to me that it would show evidence of potential damage in the small wall by the road first. The major problem with that tree, at the moment, is the fact that it cuts out light from the house. I'd remove it although it's a pretty specimen.

There should be no problem with soil movement. It is only one tree. If you're on clay there would have been a little bit of shrinkage due to water uptake through the roots. When the tree is removed there will be a slight counter balance of expansion (heave). None of these will have had any effect on the house at the age the tree is.

The fibrous feeding roots could, possibly, have gotten into your drains but you won't know until you have a problem - hopefully, never. Keep some photos of the tree and the removal. If there is a future insurance claim for drain damage you may be able to show it was from tree root damage and not just wear and tear. I think this is an unlikely situation if you have the tree removed soon. Don't bother to try and remove the roots unless they're in the way.

It sounds as though you are quite capable of removing the tree yourself. If you want to get rid of the stump and don't use a stump grinder then leave at least 4ft of the trunk in place. Then dig around the tree, a few feet from the trunk, chop any visible roots and use the trunk as a lever to break it away. There may be a big taproot going straight down from the centre.

The magnolia is OK. Keep it cut and shaped so that it doesn't get too big. This also helps restrict further root growth, although that shouldn't be a problem, as it puts most of its strength into trying to regrow the branches.

The hydrangea is not a problem but keep an eye on your downpipe. Check each year to see whether the branches may be getting too big behind it. A bit of careful pruning can easily sort that out.

TreeTreeTree · Oct 21, 2015

I'd be more concerned about light loss and needle cast rather than root problems at the moment. People have this automatic fear of tree roots and drains or foundations which rarely have any impact. If you are really concerned then you need to get a structural engineer in to test the soil for its plasticity index, a drain specialist with camera to check your drains for damage (roots will only follow a water source, not break through solid concrete drains to get to one), and a terravention specialist to excavate the roots using compressed air to map where they are and if they are interfering with your house.

shiney · Oct 22, 2015

I agree with HarmonyArb . There's very little chance of root damage at the moment.

Jimcub · Oct 22, 2015

I planted a twig from spaldings which was an Indian bean tree, looked very nice in catalogue at 6 ft info said grow to 6m.
Well 20 odd years later it's the height of the house has been pruned back hard twice, the roots are in the road 6ft away and its 20 foot from the house. No sign of any root progress towards the house, so small twigs into tall trees grow.

Well I don't live there anymore as I sold it to my daughter, so it still may come back to haunt me.

shiney · Oct 22, 2015

I presume you're talking about Catalpa bignoides. Although the roots spread very wide they're not known for doing structural damage to buildings.

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Tree height and house

clanless Total Gardener

Sheal Total Gardener

shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

TreeTreeTree I know sh!t about trees

shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

Jimcub Gardener

shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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Tree height and house

clanless Total Gardener

Sheal Total Gardener

shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

TreeTreeTree I know sh!t about trees

shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

Jimcub Gardener

shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

Advice on weeding and aligning height of trees

Height of tree.

which centrepiece tree for conifer garden and how to restrict height of large trees bought small

Poorly spindly Mimosa tree- help!

Olive trees in pots leaning

Share This Page

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