In article ,
SusieThompson wrote:
In message , Peter Crosland
writes
The short answer is nothing! You cannot safely plant any tree that close to
a building without the risk of future subsidence. The advice from surveyors
is that no tree should be planted within 5 metres of a building. In the case
of some species such as willows the distance should at least 40 metres.

I found a lot of tree planting information at www.bureauinsure.co.uk.
If the insurers are happy with these distances, well, I guess they must
be the ones to be guided by.

To state flatly that no tree should be planted within 5 metres and
willows not within 40 is ridiculous. If that were true, almost all
older houses would have fallen down long ago.

The distances depend immensely on the soil (with clay being generally
the worst and sand/gravel the best) and the type of tree. I know one
18th century house with a 65 cm diameter oak within 3 metres, and no
foundation shift. I know one 1952 house on clay with a 40 cm diameter
willow within 5 metres, ditto, but that is more surprising.

Given that it is only a fence and greenhouse at stake, I wouldn't
worry, but would choose a tree with a moderate final size - and, MOST
IMPORTANTLY, not one prone to suckering!

However, how long would it take the roots of an apple tree take to cause
problems? Surely the roots of fruit trees grafted onto dwarfing
rootstock won't cause anywhere near the problems of an apple on
rootstock which would allow it to grow to its full potential over the
years?

They wouldn't. One on a full dwarfing rootstock would cause no problems
at all, however close it was planted. Even one on its own roots is
unlikely to cause much trouble, except in extreme cases.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren,
University of Cambridge Computing Service,
New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QH, England.
Email:
Tel.: +44 1223 334761 Fax: +44 1223 334679