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roots of an oak tre near the house

  • 02-06-2015 10:12pm
    #1
    Tomjim
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,362 ✭✭✭


    How far would you need to keep an oak tree away from a house. I understand that the rots of an oak tree an travel and interfere with house foundations


Comments

  • #2
    TomOnBoard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,122 ✭✭✭TomOnBoard


    Tomjim wrote: »
    How far would you need to keep an oak tree away from a house. I understand that the rots of an oak tree an travel and interfere with house foundations

    Does it exist already, or are you going to plant one?

    Based on my very sad experiences over many decades, I would NEVER plant (or allow to remain) ANY tree with a broad root spread (which is most trees I regret to say) near a structure that I want to retain/preserve.

    As a rough rule of thumb, the diameter of the roots will measure as much as the diameter of the crown at its widest point. And that's just the roots themselves. You also need to take into account the drying effect of the tree on the surrounding soils. A large oak tree will transpire many hundreds of gallons of water daily/weekly, depending on temperature, humidity. wind effects, time of year etc. etc. That drying effect will suck moisture out of surrounding soils that can lead to significant subsidence on surrounding structures that do not/cannot flex with the soils. This is hugely dependent on the type of soil, but if its clayey at all, watch out! As soon as the soils get wet later in the year, then the initial subsidence is followed by 'heave' that makes things worse. This cycle of heave/subsidence will happen at least once a year and any gaps that ensue will be exacerbated by freeze/thaw action during cold winters. Net effect: a perfectly sound structure could be ready for demolition within 5 - 10 years of the process starting.

    There is a very good reason why you don't need a felling licence to knock a tree within 100 feet of a dwelling.

    My advice for an oak tree: minimum 200 feet- and preferably considerably more. If in/on clay, not at all, unless you get a surveyor to assess and sign off on its effect on the dwelling.

    My 2 ¢ worth...


  • #3
    Schadenfreudia
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭Schadenfreudia


    Tomjim wrote: »
    How far would you need to keep an oak tree away from a house. I understand that the rots of an oak tree an travel and interfere with house foundations


    I wouldn't worry about it at all.


  • #4
    Oldtree
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,109 ✭✭✭Oldtree


    Schadenfreudia wrote: »
    I wouldn't worry about it at all.

    Oh Dear oh dear oh dear :rolleyes:


  • #5
    wayoutwest
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 509 ✭✭✭wayoutwest


    The worst tree to have near your house is an Ash -their roots go for miles.I once dug out the floor of an old stone cottage to install a new slab.The house was a 100 feet from a mature ash, yet the roots had bust their way through the foundation course (50 -70mm diameter)and travelled another 14 feet across the room before they ended.:eek:


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