What is the Council’s view of structural damage or subsidence caused by tree roots?
Recommendations to remove trees because of the risk of structural damage or subsidence caused by roots have become more common. This is a highly specialised area of concern to engineers, surveyors, arboriculturists, insurance companies, homeowners and others. The risks will depend upon a number of factors including tree specie, condition and location, soil type (shrinkable clays pose the greatest problems and are not common in Hart District) and foundation design. Each case must be dealt with individually according to the circumstances. In cases of subsidence caused by tree root activity, the complete removal of a tree may result in further structural damage due to subsequent soil heave. A considered programme of reduction and maintenance may therefore be more appropriate. The Council will generally require detailed reports and recommendations from competent professional consultants before making a decision on an application of this type for tree removal. These may include identificati
