Trees close to proposed extension

Advice1234

Hi all

We are thinking of doing a standard low level 3 meter extension I have drawn a purple line where I think the extension will go to roughly (it may not be that far out) 

Would the trees on the right and left hand side need to be removed as I really don’t want to do this ? Or is it the case you just dig deeper foundations if it’s less than 2-3 meters away 

thanks 

Section62

Advice1234 said:

We are thinking of doing a standard low level 3 meter extension I have drawn a purple line where I think the extension will go to roughly (it may not be that far out) 

Would the trees on the right and left hand side need to be removed as I really don’t want to do this ? Or is it the case you just dig deeper foundations if it’s less than 2-3 meters away 

From the limited info in the picture I'd say they probably look too close physically to the proposed structure, regardless of any implications they may have for the foundations.

Ultimately it will be the building control officer who decides whether you need to get rid of the trees, or if deeper foundations/piling will be needed, which in part will depend on the soil type.  Do you have good access for a digger and/or mini-piling rig?

Removing trees isn't necessarily a solution either though - the ground can 'rebound' if it has shrunk due to a tree sucking up water and then when the tree goes the ground recovers its natural state which can result in heave damage.

Leon_W

Looks like the tree on the Left in your picture is an Ash and it will probably have to go anyway.  It doesn't look as if any of them are particularly mature, so it's much easier to remove them now rather than later. I made the mistake of letting an Ash tree get too big and it's surprising how quickly they get really quite large.  Ash die back might put paid to that though. 

Advice1234

 

@Leon_W

I did wonder what tree it was ! 

Do you have any idea what this tree is please we have just had our survey and it’s flagged it up 

trying to find out if this will be a problem with extension ☹️

Thanks 

Leon_W

The picture isn't very clear, but looking at the branch structure it looks like an Ash.  Usually where you find one you will find another as they easily self seed and grow at a VERY rapid rate. It looks like someone has already removed one limb lower down the trunk as it was overhanging that conservatory.

I like a nice Ash tree as much as the next man, and it is very sad indeed to see these trees dying in the countryside, they've removed thousands alongside our local roads here in Somerset.....BUT..... They have no place near a house !  20 years ago when we moved into our house we had one about 8m away which I didn't give much thought to be honest. 18 years later it had a trunk getting on for 2ft in diameter, the canopy was enourmous and lower branches touched the bedroom windows. The autumn leaves were another pain as was it's light blocking capabilities !  It also irreparably lifted a solid concrete breeze block garden wall which had to be demolished.

In hindsight it would have been easier to remove when it was smaller as it ended up costing many hundreds of pounds later. Remember, costs rise exponentially when a tree has to be felled close to a house as it has to be cut section by section from the top down and lowered to the ground. Not just a case of tiiimmmbbeeeerrrr and cut it up on the floor.

I would therefore say that the neighbours tree IS a big problem. Any tree that size 2m from a house, Ash or not is going to cause problems. Take the advice of the survey and get a professional to take a look.