Tree removal - do we need to think of anything else?

butler_helen

We are having a silver birch removed from our garden as recommended in our survey when we bought the property.

We are using a specialist tree removal company who have insurance if they bring it down on the house /neighbours house.

There's no TPO and we have the quote in our hands do the cost won't change.

My question is; who pays if as a result of the tree being removed the house structure is altered? I.e what if the roots are holding up the house in some way? Or worse our neighbours house?

The tree surgeon says this isn't likely but he didn't say his insurance would cover it and I can't find a relevant part of our insurance.

Does anyone know the answer or know of anything else we need to be sure of before we have this thing removed?

mr-bob_2

The funny thing is - I want to have a silver birch removed also and am wondering the exact same thing!

I look forward to the replies you get.

jackyann

We did something similar, but as we were doing our own build, I was able to discuss it with a specialist site surveyor.
In the absence of any more helpful replies, I would go to the original surveyor and ask his / her advice.
I also found the building inspectors (local council) very helpful.
However, I hope you get a more definitive reply!

butler_helen

I will try the building inspectors - although I'm adverse to that incase they see my silver birch and slap a TPO on it... Its a PITA and affects light/space/fencing etc, so i am keen it's gone ASAP.

Leif

butler_helen wrote: »

My question is; who pays if as a result of the tree being removed the house structure is altered? I.e what if the roots are holding up the house in some way? Or worse our neighbours house?

How close is the tree to the house? How large is the tree (trunk, height)?

According to what I have read, during the growing season the tree will suck moisture out of the ground, and in the dormant season, the ground will soak up moisture. So the result can be seasonal movement of the soil. So I suppose you can get slight settling of the house, with maybe a few cracks in the plaster, or worse if you are unlucky. I would have thought that removing the tree would perhaps cause a short term change, but longer term stability.

butler_helen wrote: »

I will try the building inspectors - although I'm adverse to that incase they see my silver birch and slap a TPO on it... Its a PITA and affects light/space/fencing etc, so i am keen it's gone ASAP.

Quite! Sadly you are not joking. I backed out of a house sale when I found a TPO on an oak tree 5m from the house. The council told me there was no chance of having it lifted, although some people here reckon it could be removed on the grounds of it being a threat to the property.

butler_helen

Right, these guys are doing an assessment (£65) which will tell me the best approach to removing it or if I need to leave it.

http://www.britishtreeservices.co.uk/Contact.html

Seems cheaper than an insurance claim against me! They will/can also produce a report to attach to a future house sale. They will also check there's no TPO and we aren't a conservation area.

I will let you know how I get on...

butler_helen

Leif wrote: »

How close is the tree to the house? How large is the tree (trunk, height)?

According to what I have read, during the growing season the tree will suck moisture out of the ground, and in the dormant season, the ground will soak up moisture. So the result can be seasonal movement of the soil. So I suppose you can get slight sYuettling of the house, with maybe a few cracks in the plaster, or worse if you are unlucky. I would have thought that removing the tree would perhaps cause a short term change, but longer term stability.



Quite! Sadly you are not joking. I backed out of a house sale when I found a TPO on an oak tree 5m from the house. The council told me there was no chance of having it lifted, although some people here reckon it could be removed on the grounds of it being a threat to the property.

Everything you say matches the tree specialist, albeit he needs soil samples to determine what effect tree removal might have. The tree is 5ft from the house and 1.5x the house in height.

I too would back out of a purchase for a larger tree. This was "recommended" for removal but the survey says it poses no risk as it is. So worse case I get to keep my tree

I'm quite concerned about our neighbours tree... It's right at the front of our house! Although it's their insurance's problem if it causes problems ... Let's hope they are insured!

Chopper_Read

I can't imagine the tree surgeons insurance covering movement once the tree has been felled.

I took one down last week for the same reasons.

butler_helen

Agreed... Hence I want some professional opinion. I'm surprised people can just take trees down though - surely lots of people risk major problems with their ill informed decisions?

Im trying to wriggle out of it being "my problem" if there's an issue in the future, or pay my way out of it now... Basically I want to be in the best position possible with regard to the tree.

Ownerofawreck

Have a similar problem with a silver birch. The guy I spoke to said to reduce the height and crown it, then next year bring it down so there isn't such a shock to the foundations/water table. He used more technical words though:) He is reliable and qualified so am doing as he said. Although he is probably thinking of his earnings too!
The local council here would slap a TPO on it in the blink of an eye but my neighbours are keen to see it go so fingers crossed.
Good luck with yours.

Chopper_Read

butler_helen wrote: »

Agreed... Hence I want some professional opinion. I'm surprised people can just take trees down though - surely lots of people risk major problems with their ill informed decisions?

Im trying to wriggle out of it being "my problem" if there's an issue in the future, or pay my way out of it now... Basically I want to be in the best position possible with regard to the tree.

What sort of professional opinion do you want?

Take it down you may have an insurance claim if it causes movement.

If it falls of its own accord in the future you may be lucky.

There are risks either way.