Planting Trees Next To A Building – Don’t do it!

Carefully planting a tree on your property can add beauty to the surrounding area. However, if you get the placement wrong, it can have a huge negative impact on neighbouring properties. Thinking about planting trees next to a building? Here’s why you shouldn’t…

Structural Damage

When a tree is growing, the roots underground also spread. As these are not visible, it can be dangerous as you are not aware of the length that the roots are reaching to. Some tree roots can lift paving and also cause damage to buildings, such as cracking.

As well as this, tree branches can also cause damage to a roof or other parts of a property, predominantly if they fall down in a storm.

Drain Damage

Tree roots often proliferate where there is a supply of water which can cause them to extend into building drainage. This can cause a drain blockage leading to further destruction to your property.

Litter

If you are considering whether to plant a tree on your property, then it is wise to pick one that will not create too much litter. For example, some trees will drop messy fruit or shed seed pods, leading to messy surroundings that need frequent upkeep.

How to safely plant trees

When planting a tree, make sure you choose one that is to the right scale for your property. A typical rule used for planting is that a tree over 70ft tall should be at least 20ft away from a property and small trees under 30ft should be at least 8-10ft away from a building.

Make sure you’re being safe with the sowing of trees by contacting us about planting plans, tree surveys, and root barrier designs today!