Advice re:large tree near house we are buying

woolly1

Hi folks

We are in the process of buying a house that has a very large oak tree within 10m of it. The tree is over the boundary of the garden and belongs to the council who are being contacted by the vendor to come and prune it as it's boughs are very close to the roof. I'm not too concerned about the tree as such as it looks healthy and sound and not in danger of blowing over. I do wonder though about it's roots and how we would find out if the roots were doing any damage to the foundations or drains? Also, if the tree were to cause any damage in the future, would our house insurance cover or would the council be obliged to pay? The house is only about 12 years old so the tree was obviously there first, so does this mean the roots wouldn't affect what has been built?
Thanks

Doozergirl

You can have drain surveys carried out to see if they are clear.

With regard to insurance, you should be covered - there is actually a question they ask with regard to trees. You answer truthfully and they decide whether to cover you. It may well be that it just pushes your premium up a bit.

I should have thought that the builders took the tree into account when the property was built, but of course the tree roots will go where they will.

andyrules

Our house had a small tree close by and it came up in survey many years ago when we bought. Advice was to keep tree well pruned and no problems.

However, tree belonged to neighbour who didn't prune, and we ended up with a damaged garage, which cost a fortune to put right (on £1000 xs) has the knock on effect of making insurance difficult. The tree had to come out, so hopefully it's done with now, except we are tied with insurance.

Our loss adjuster said that if we had had something in writing about the neighbour being obliged to keep tree pruned, then they would have been liable, but it was verbal only. He also wrote to them and warned that if they refused to remove the tree they would be responsible for further damage.

I'm sure I read somewhere that a house built after the tree is OK as roots are already there when foundations built.

Doozergirl

The tree going could cause issues as bad, if not worse as issues that the roots cause as the ground changes when the tree has gone - it will not be as dry if there is no tree to drink the water.

SO no, the house is not necessarily ok for being built after the tree grew.

real1314

have a look here : http://www.gardenlaw.co.uk/trees.html

there's a table of trees/distances, although it seems to be an insurer's table and is therefore massively over cautious. There's also some comments about claiming for damage too.

PasturesNew

As a rule of thumb, I've always believed that a tree's roots are as big as the tree. So I imagine the tree falling over and what it would hit.

jonewer

Dont forget that a seriously old tree close to your house can be a big draw for future buyers who might enjoy the foliage and privacy and character it affords them.

A lack of any trees = new build 'orrible council estate. In my book at least.