Trees Company
Graham Newton - Chartered Surveyor
The leafy lanes and wonderful woodlands, God's gift to Surrey, contribute to its appeal to commuters and others as probably the most sought after residential location in the UK. It is said that there are more trees per acre in Surrey than anywhere else in the British Isles.
That may be good news in terms of an inviting environment but, coupled with the clay sub-soils close to the surface in many locations, can sound a significant note of caution to house purchasers and surveyors inspecting on their behalf. They may need to beg some questions.
"Large oaks from little acorns grow" and this maxim should be remembered when considering current and future risks from young, established or older trees in relation to the property you are contemplating purchasing or when planting trees near your house. It is to be hoped that your surveyor will draw attention to any particular problems envisaged but he may, quite rightly, express concern only about those that represent a risk at present.
Many trees are renowned for their aggressive root growth in drought conditions. Such are the climate changes throughout the world, and in the UK in particular, that drought conditions can be encountered in varying seasons, and hurricanes too.
If nature takes charge and fells a threatening tree, you may overcome the problem of painstaking negotiation with the Tree Preservation Officer of the Local Authority but at what cost to you and your building, even if it/you are adequately insured against such loss.
Do check with that same Tree Preservation Officer, who should be well known to trustworthy tree surgeons locally, to ensure that the appropriate approvals are obtained before lopping or felling trees which may fall within his jurisdiction under what are known as Tree Preservation Orders. Offenders face substantial fines.
Bear in mind also that the removal of a tree, by storm or tree surgeon, can have an affect upon sub-soil conditions when the demand for moisture to support a large canopied tree is suddenly removed.
The end effect of all such root growth or moisture reduction is the risk of subsidence or heave which words strike fear in the minds of most house purchasers, surveyors and insurance companies and can be a blight upon the property in terms of future sales and insurance premiums.
So, whether you are purchasing a property because of its pleasant tree-scape or planting trees for posterity, do bear in mind the guide lines produced by the Subsidence Claims Advisory Bureau (01424-733727) reflected broadly in the following schedule:
|
Species |
Distance |
Species |
Distance |
||
|
apple |
c.15' |
magnolia |
c.15' |
||
|
beech |
c.50' |
maple |
c.65' |
||
|
birch |
c.30' |
oak |
c.100' |
||
|
cherry |
c.35' |
pear |
c.35' |
||
|
chestnut |
c.75' |
plum |
c.35' |
||
|
cypress |
c.50' |
poplar |
c.115' |
||
|
elm |
c.100' |
rowan |
c.35' |
||
|
hawthorn |
c.40' |
spruce |
c.25' |
||
|
holly |
c.20' |
sycamore |
c.55' |
||
|
laburnum |
c.30' |
willow |
c.130' |
||
|
lime |
c.55' |
yew |
c.15' |
SYNOPTIC SUMMARY
Buy a mansion with a magnolia in the conservatory or a vicarage with a yew blocking the view and you should be safe. Evergreens and hollies are happily at home a croquet or cricket pitch away and the orchard can be hidden close behind them with a backdrop of decorative birch, laburnum and rowan trees before a hawthorn hedge or a ha-ha.
Let the limes, maples and other large trees stay in the paddock with your fallow deer and tell us the secret if you can overcome Dutch elm disease and grow oaks to maturity within your lifetime of 100 years and 100' from the house. Just remember to plant the willows well away from your own Blenheim Palace when Capability Brown returns to build your lake.
Woking: 01483 773773