The most common cause of subsidence is the combination of dry weather, clay soil and trees. The following list of safe tree distances is a list referring to the potential damage from their roots to the foundations of your property which may cause subsidence. This occurs predominantly during spring and summer. Cherry tree root systems grow closer to the surface than those of many other trees, and cherry trees tend to have a large number of surface roots and sucker shoots that grow vertically from them. There is very little you can do to prevent storm damage other than to ensure the tree is healthy and in good condition. Yes, perhaps use it as a guide but you MUST speak to a qualified arborist if you have any doubts as to whether a tree is ‘safe’ and how to deal with it if it isn’t. Tree roots will grow longer in search of moisture and can spread dangerously close to a building. Don’t forget (the dreaded) ivy growth. Conversely, healthy trees take large amounts of water out of the soil, often forcing clay soils to shrink. Over a number of years, a cumulative drying occurs as the tree grows. These trees will include willow, oak and elm trees. Last summer, British insurers announced that claims on home insurance reached their highest level for 12 years after a very large rise in subsidence due to dry weather. Damage may occur as tree roots take up water from the soil, causing the ground to dry out and shrink. High water demand trees include; [broadleaved] Eucalyptus, Populus, Quercus, Salix, [conifers] Cupressus, Chamaecyparis and x Cuprocyparis. If they are on public land, then the local council will be involved in some capacity. This means that if you’re concerned about trying to prevent subsidence, it could be a good idea to avoid planting trees that require particularly large amounts of moisture. This list was produced by the ABI (Association of British Insurers). If you think your property is at risk of subsidence, the first thing to do is cut down the risks as much as possible. For more information about trees and how they can affect a property see our other news item. t. Shrinkage can cause uneven settlement leading to subsidence at the surface. Email team@bickersinsurance.co.uk . Every single tree in every single location is different so please do not rely on the following information. Trees – If you have trees or large shrubs planted too close to your home they can cause subsidence as the plant drains the moisture from the soil causing it to dry out and sink. If you have a small garden, opt for a yew tree or a magnolia. We offer full nationwide coverage with offices throughout the UK. Fast-growing leylandii and eucalyptus. Preventing Subsidence. Submit Claim Property Defects offer a fully comprehensive service throughout your entire claims process acting only in your best interests, rather than your insurers. Other species generally have an intermediate water demand. It should be borne in mind that around 60 per cent of all of the UK's housing is built on shrinkable clay. Urban subsidence and trees . Tree root damage is seen as the most common reason for subsidence. Trees and large vegetation are also generally involved. Trees and their root system can be weakened by previous storms or maybe they are in just poor condition due to poor management, ineffective or potentially damaging pruning methods. determine whether a tree is causing subsistence, but it is the thin, fibrous roots at the extremes of a root system that have the biggest demand for water. There is of course another danger of large trees near to your property which is from impact damage to your property (or persons in the property or garden) following a violent storm. Poplars, willows and oaks are among the worst culprits as they 1. If left unchecked, ivy can add weight to the tree and can eventually even kill the tree by uncontrolled growth. Trees more likely to cause problems than other have fine root structures longer than other species, such as poplars, willows, elms and oaks. Trees and other vegetation can have a significant local effect on seasonal drying of soils. If the trees are removed their roots will no longer extract moisture from the soil and it is possible that ‘heave’ could occur. The rest, as they say, is up to the Gods! These trees will include willow, oak and elm trees. Is subsidence covered by home insurance? This is a brief guide which we hope will be helpful when assessing a tree on your own property. Trees, by their very nature can be very large, very heavy and can drink a lot of water from the soil surrounding them. Management of trees is essential to ensure you don’t make the problems even worse One of the most common causes of subsidence damage to property is from clay shrinkage. Houses built on clay soil, which shrinks when there is less moisture in the ground, are particularly at risk of subsidence in a prolonged dry spell such as the UK is now facing. Trees and shrubs can damage the foundations of the property causing subsidence. Bigger trees that cause subsidence specifically take liquid from the soil, causing the soil, and thus the ground beneath the house, to shrink. You should always take professional advice if you are in any doubt as to whether a tree is structurally safe and also if it is likely to affect the structure of the property it stands near to. Existing trees that are close to a building should be cut back. There are a few precautions you can take to prevent subsidence from occurring: - Keep trees at a safe distance: A 10-meter distance is recommended, 40 meters for larger trees. 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