Trees are an important part of our natural world – they provide a haven for wildlife and oxygen for everyone, and they also form a beautiful part of our natural landscape. From elms to oaks and everything in between, trees are essential for our ecosystem.
Having a tree near your property is usually considered to be a bonus, and the vast majority of the time, they cause absolutely no problems at all. But, on occasion, trees located very near buildings can cause problems such as subsidence, damage to drains or issues with fallen leaves.
How do trees cause subsidence?
Few people realise that the roots of a tree can be up to three times as wide as the tree is tall. If you picture a large, mature tree, this means that the roots can create a considerable underground footprint! Unfortunately, in areas with shrinkable clay soil, trees can use up a lot of the moisture in the surrounding soil, and the resulting dry soil can cause subsidence and even structural cracking to nearby properties.
Damage to drains
If a large tree is located near your property, it may cause issues with the drains. Fallen leaves or even wayward tree roots can enter and block the drains, causing issues with your water supply or even flooding if the water is unable to pass through the drain effectively.
A CCTV drain survey Wolverhampton or other location carried out by specialists such as https://www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/drainage-services-cctv-surveys-midlands/cctv-drain-surveys/wolverhampton allows experts to use non-intrusive technology to look inside drains, identifying any blockages or cracks caused by trees before they cause major issues. According to Checkatrade.com, it can also be useful to obtain a full drain report before buying a property to ensure there are no hidden drain issues.
Likewise, the fallen leaves from nearby trees can block gutters and coat your garden in the autumn.
Fortunately, very few trees cause serious damage to property and they provide us with shade, greenery and, of course, a great place to climb for children!
