Tree Roots Issue For Next Door

[DSLiverpool]

We have a big old tree quite near to our neighbours house and its pushing up the drive and threatening the foundations of their house.

We are in a conservation area but have been given permission to remove the tree as its an actionable nuisance.

Anyone had this problem and who pays ? its a big tree it wont be cheap

[anonymous-user]

I would call my own buildings insurance for advice, before making any other arrangements...
They may pay for it, or may come to an arrangement with the neighbours insurers, as a preventative action.

[wolf1]

DSLiverpool said:

We have a big old tree quite near to our neighbours house and its pushing up the drive and threatening the foundations of their house.

We are in a conservation area but have been given permission to remove the tree as its an actionable nuisance.

Anyone had this problem and who pays ? its a big tree it wont be cheap

Your tree, you pay.

[anonymous-user]

http://www.gardenlaw.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=...

[Wings]

Since insurance companies like to be informed of trees within a certain distance to the insured property, it might be to the OP’s advantage now, and possibly for the future, not to raise the roots issue with his present insurers.

Both the type of soil, and cutting down or reducing in height severely a tree, may cause the tree’s roots to take dramatic action, possibly shrinking or expanding, either which might cause the very damage to the property, that the OP is seeking to avoid.

[TheEnd]

Wings said:

Since insurance companies like to be informed of trees within a certain distance to the insured property, it might be to the OP’s advantage now, and possibly for the future, not to raise the roots issue with his present insurers.

Both the type of soil, and cutting down or reducing in height severely a tree, may cause the tree’s roots to take dramatic action, possibly shrinking or expanding, either which might cause the very damage to the property, that the OP is seeking to avoid.

...and your plan of action is?

[JR]

wolf1 said:

DSLiverpool said:

We have a big old tree quite near to our neighbours house and its pushing up the drive and threatening the foundations of their house.

We are in a conservation area but have been given permission to remove the tree as its an actionable nuisance.

Anyone had this problem and who pays ? its a big tree it wont be cheap

Your tree, you pay.

Yes but you may be able to get the neighbours to contribute. Depends how cautious you are and what the situation is. A trial hole to look at the footings and ground for each house would be a reasonable first step. Tree rotts are not usually that deep as they spread out and if it's a case of just chopping the tree down then I'd think twice before making an insurance claim.

[Thurbs]

TheEnd said:

...and your plan of action is?

Get a arboriculturalist around for a chat, only they can advice the best course of action.

[ATTAK Z]

Questions that need answering before a course of action can be proposed:

1) Which was there first - the tree or the neighbours' house ?
2) Type of tree ? - how big ? - how mature ? - how far from neighbour house ?
3) What are the ground conditions ? - type of soil ? - well drained ?

Before doing anything I would get reports from an aboriculturalist and a structural engineer (or specialist building surveyor) since doing anything to the tree could be worse than doing nothing.

Also I would not start on any course of action with discussing it first with the neighbours and finding out what they would prefer you to do.

Finally and for the time being at least, do not make any claim on your insurance. A house with a subsidence claim (whether fixed or not) will be blighted

[DSLiverpool]

Tree is 30 years house 70, roots not yet at the house but pushing up the path a bit. Tree about 12m tall and a biggy

The tree is nowhere near our house so no issue there

Root is staying in place

Got price of £800 but been told the wood is worth a fair bit and another tree surgeon does a reduced rate if they can keep the wood (?)

Both coming over this week

[philmots]

I have the same problem.

I understand that although it's my tree the roots on his side are his problem.. Result is he's paying for it to be cut down.

[ATTAK Z]

ATTAK Z said:

Questions that need answering before a course of action can be proposed:

1) Which was there first - the tree or the neighbours' house ?
2) Type of tree ? - how big ? - how mature ? - how far from neighbour house ?
3) What are the ground conditions ? - type of soil ? - well drained ?

Before doing anything I would get reports from an aboriculturalist and a structural engineer (or specialist building surveyor) since doing anything to the tree could be worse than doing nothing.

Also I would not start on any course of action with discussing it first with the neighbours and finding out what they would prefer you to do.

Finally and for the time being at least, do not make any claim on your insurance. A house with a subsidence claim (whether fixed or not) will be blighted

DSLiverpool said:

Tree is 30 years house 70, roots not yet at the house but pushing up the path a bit. Tree about 12m tall and a biggy

The tree is nowhere near our house so no issue there

Root is staying in place

Got price of £800 but been told the wood is worth a fair bit and another tree surgeon does a reduced rate if they can keep the wood (?)

Both coming over this week

If you're sure the foundations are unaffected then get this in writing from the neighbours. Then remove the tree and offer to fix the path. That way everyone is happy. I would still bring in the experts though prior to doing anything which may exacerbate any real or perceived problems with the neighbours' property.

[TooLateForAName]

Similar thing happened to my parents at the beginning of the year. In their case an oak tree in their garden was causing problems for the house behind them. First my parents knew was when the other peoples insurers got in touch.

Tree was taken down by a tree surgeon paid for by the other persons insurer.

The tree is currently sat in bits waiting for me to borrow a van and claim it - but they've more space than me so it may as well season at theirs.