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Original poster

Help!! Calling Whizzz or any other tree expert bods!

23 replies

Polgara2 · 07/07/2006 12:51

Whizzz you may remember us talking a while back about chopping a huge tree down in the house we are hoping to buy? Well have just got survey back and it says 'Get a registered arboriculturist to do risk assessment report' coz some mature trees might be in influencing distance of house/services? First question is what the hell is an arboriculturist? Then how are they going to check tree roots and is it gonna cost me loadsa money . Aaaarrggh - why isn't house moving more simple?

OP posts:
KristinaM · 07/07/2006 13:18

I'm not an expert - but I guess they will know teh likely spread of the roots from size and type of tree and your soil type. Your lender may insist on a survey

algernon · 07/07/2006 13:37

They say loads of stuff like this in surveys to cover themselves. Most of it is pretty meaningless and doesn't affect your likelihood of getting a mortgage. That said, I don't know if this is one of those things that do, but there are quite a few large trees growing near properties you know! (Hang on, hang on, you say it is growing in the house... yes, that could be a problem! )
An arboriculturist is someone that knows an awful lot about trees.
Do you know what type of tree it is?

Original poster
Polgara2 · 07/07/2006 13:59

Not sure tree type yet, am waiting for surveyor to ring me to confirm which trees she means coz there are a few trees dotted around the property (some of which are council owned so am rather hoping she means those and the council would have to foot any bill - I hope!!!)

OP posts:
algernon · 07/07/2006 14:21

The more I think about this, the more I am convinced that the survey picked it up for you as a buyer and it is just a way of the company saying "we know nothing about trees, suggest you speak to someone who does in case it becomes a problem". It doesn't mean you have to have a survey done. The have to's come from the lenders survey.
You want to get rid of the tree anyway don't you?

KristinaM · 07/07/2006 20:55

thing is, if the roots are affecting the building, its not as simple as just chop it down and the problem is solved

algernon · 08/07/2006 08:21

Yes, but there has been no indication that they are causing problems KristinaM.
Just a buyers survey which notes that there are some trees nearby.

Original poster
Polgara2 · 08/07/2006 13:17

Thanks for thoughts ladies, think you're right algernon its just a case of we don't know so you might want to check sort of thing. We are planning on getting rid of the big trees actually on the property anyway. Still thinking about it.......

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 08/07/2006 14:11

What tree it is will make a big difference.

UCM · 08/07/2006 15:09

Our neighbour had an ash tree about 12 foot from her house and we noticed some cracks appearing down the back of her house which then spread to our house. We had an assessment done - they dug up the patio right by our rear wall and drilled for roots to see if the roots were a certain size entering underneath the back of the house. They were and the tree had to be cut down. It was a very small hole and they reset the slab they dug up. I think that may be what they mean.

Original poster
Polgara2 · 08/07/2006 19:24

UCM thats interesting - how much did the assessment cost if you don't mind me asking? And the work of course!

OP posts:
UCM · 08/07/2006 20:19

Sadly I don't know because my insurers paid for it. Right have got the report out and it was done by a Chartered Structural Engineering Consultants.

It says that they did a trial 'bore hole' to establish whether the tree roots were under the foundations. They were and this is what my report says

'The problem is roots from the neighbours Ash tree are getting beneath the foundations abstracting moisture causing the clay to shrink and drop and the foundations to follow. The solution would be to remove the tree and allow the soils to rehydrate & stabilise'

Don't know if this is any use, but it sounds like you may be better off with one of them instead of them tree doctor thingys!!! Also you could get the future sellers to get their insurers to pay for it.

algernon · 08/07/2006 20:34

Structural engineers would only be relevant if there was structural damage as in your case UCM.
An Arbora. Aboro. Abo. Ab. Tree specialist would advise on the likelihood of future damage based on the type of tree.
You don't need either of them though Polgara, honest.

Original poster
Polgara2 · 08/07/2006 21:26

You know what - I think you're right algernon!! Have already commissioned a drains survey anyway so shall see where they are - might be nowhere near the bloody trees!!!!

OP posts:
UCM · 09/07/2006 09:00

Algernon is right, unless your lender refuses to lend you money unless you get it done, don't waste your own money. TBH if I was asked to do any sort of survey on a house I was buying before money could be lent on it I would either walk away or insist that the price be lowered reflecting any works that may need to be carried out. I am lucky as DH is a builder and picked up stuff that our surveyor didn't even notice, but it was reflected in the price.

Whizzz · 09/07/2006 09:12

Ooo I'm here ! An arboriculturist - is my DH . And he does lots of risk assessments. Depends on lots of things like soil type, distance of tree to building, age, size etc of tree. The main thing is soil type (ie lots of clay??) and how old the house is. As a rough guess, he says a report would cost about £250. Be wary of tree surgeons who offer a cheaper report as they wll angle it in order to make work for them doing any tree work that they say is 'needed'.

Whizzz · 09/07/2006 09:13

Polgara2 - as I remember this was local to us, feel free to mail me if you want specific advice

SoupDragon · 09/07/2006 17:37

Roughly how far from a house should an oak tree be? We're on chalk if that makes a difference

Whizzz · 09/07/2006 19:54

Hang on Soupy - will ask DH when he's finished bathing DS
(I'd say the answer is about 3 reams of Clog Paper away )

Original poster
Polgara2 · 09/07/2006 20:53

Thanks Whizzz. We're going to wait for the results of the drains search and if they pass near the trees we may need that assessment. Will email you then with questions if I may?

OP posts:
Whizzz · 09/07/2006 20:53

Apparantly there isn't any hard & fast rules. Depends on the size of the tree. ie if you want to plant a little one now, not a problem now but would be in the long term. (sorry, DH engrossed in footie!)

Whizzz · 09/07/2006 20:54

Thats fine Polgara

SoupDragon · 09/07/2006 21:00

This is just a squirrel-planted baby oak tree. Well, a few years old given that it's over 6 feet tall. Not enough to make clogs out of. I discovered it when I had a willow tree taken out. Nice to know I don't have to chop it down too

Whizzz · 09/07/2006 21:04

Apparantly chalk isn't so much of a problem with trees as it doesn't shrink like clay

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