If a tree close to your home has roots growing under the foundations, removal is sometimes the only way to stop the structural damage. Not every tree near a house causes subsidence, but when one does, the problem does not resolve itself, and the longer the roots are left to grow, the more expensive the repair to the property becomes.
This article explains how tree roots cause subsidence, what signs to look for, when removal becomes necessary, and why the method of removal matters as much as the decision to remove.
How Tree Roots Cause Subsidence
Tree roots cause subsidence by extracting moisture from the soil beneath and around a building’s foundations. As the soil dries, it shrinks, and when it shrinks unevenly, the ground no longer supports the foundation uniformly. One side of the house settles more than another. Cracks appear.
This process is most common in clay-heavy soils, which are widespread across Hampshire and much of southern England. Clay expands when wet and contracts significantly when dry. A large tree drawing water from clay soil directly beneath a foundation creates exactly the conditions for shrinkage subsidence.
The species of tree matters. Trees with high water demand and aggressive root systems, including willows, poplars, oaks, elms, and some conifers, are most frequently cited in subsidence claims. The proximity of the tree to the building also matters: roots typically extend well beyond the canopy, and a tree 10 metres from a house can still have roots running beneath the foundations.
Signs That Roots May Be Causing Structural Damage
The following signs suggest tree roots may be affecting your property’s structure:
Diagonal cracks from window or door corners. Subsidence cracks typically run at 45 degrees from the corners of openings in the wall. They are usually wider at the top than the bottom.
Doors and windows sticking or dropping. As the building settles unevenly, door and window frames distort. A door that suddenly jams or a window that will not close squarely can indicate movement in the structure.
Cracks that open seasonally. If cracks are wider in late summer and narrower after winter rain, the movement correlates with soil moisture, a strong indicator of root-related shrinkage rather than structural failure.
Visible root intrusion. In some cases roots push through paths, drives or even into drainage runs, which can be identified by a CCTV drain survey.
If you notice any of these signs, the first step is a structural engineer’s report to confirm the cause. Your insurer may arrange this if you make a claim. Do not begin any tree work until you have that assessment. Removing the wrong tree achieves nothing, and in some cases removing a tree too quickly on shrinkable clay can cause the soil to re-wet unevenly and create further movement, known as heave.
When Tree Removal Becomes Necessary
Not every tree near a house needs to come down. Sometimes root barriers, reduced watering schedules, or managed crown reduction, reducing the tree’s water demand by reducing its leaf area, can slow or stop the problem. A qualified arborist should assess the tree before any decision is made.
Removal becomes the most practical option when:
- The tree is a high-water-demand species growing directly over or immediately adjacent to shallow foundations
- Structural damage is already significant and continuing
- The tree is in decline or poses a safety risk beyond the subsidence issue
- The property is being renovated or sold and buyers or insurers require resolution
When removal is confirmed as the right course, the next question is method, and on a constrained site, this decision matters enormously.
Why the Method of Removal Matters Near a Building
Felling a tree at the base is not an option when the tree sits a few metres from a property. Even a controlled fell requires a clear landing zone at least as long as the tree is tall. A 30-metre tree on a domestic driveway has no such space.
The standard alternative is sectional dismantling: a climber works up through the crown, cutting pieces free and lowering them on ropes using the tree’s own weight and friction to control the descent. This works well on many jobs. But on a very large tree, in very close proximity to glazing, a new roof or freshly renovated interiors, the margin for error is slim. Pieces can slip, ropes can take unexpected loads, and sections can pendulum into a structure as they come free.
A crane-assisted dismantle eliminates that risk. The crane’s line is attached to each section before the cut is made. When the saw runs, the piece does not fall, it is held, lifted clear and lowered to the ground in a controlled vertical movement. There is no swing, no pendulum, no reliance on gravity. Each section from 2 tonnes to 5 tonnes comes out of the crown the same way.
This is a more expensive method than conventional dismantling. But on a site where damage to the property would cost far more than the difference in cost between the two methods, it is the right choice.
We saw this firsthand on a recent job in Chilworth, Southampton, where a Giant Redwood over 30 metres tall and 1.5 metres in diameter stood only a few metres from a house that had just been through a full interior renovation. Root growth had already started to cause structural movement, and the tree was too large and too close to the building for conventional rope-and-gravity dismantling. We brought in a 60-tonne crane and a 30-metre MEWP, boarded the entire driveway, and fenced the work zone off from the house. The tree came down in sections of 2 to 5 tonnes, each one lifted clear rather than lowered. The job was finished in a single day, with no damage to the driveway, the glazing, or the renovated interior.
When to Contact HRG
If you have a tree close to your home in Hampshire and you are concerned about root damage or subsidence, we can carry out a tree survey to assess the species, condition and proximity risk. We work regularly alongside structural engineers and loss adjusters on subsidence cases.
For removals that require crane assistance, whether due to tree size, proximity to buildings or restricted access, we have the equipment and the experience. We operate a 30-metre MEWP and coordinate with specialist crane contractors for large-scale sectional dismantles across Hampshire and the South of England.
We offer a free site visit with no call-out charge. We do not charge to come and look.
Find out more about our tree felling and removal service or our stump removal service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can tree roots really cause subsidence?
Yes. Tree roots cause subsidence by extracting moisture from clay soils beneath a building’s foundations, causing the soil to shrink and the foundations to settle unevenly. It is most common in the clay-heavy soils found across much of Hampshire and southern England, and is most often associated with high-water-demand species such as willows, oaks, poplars and some conifers.
How do I know if a tree is causing subsidence in my home?
Common signs include diagonal cracks running from the corners of windows or doors, doors and windows that stick or drop, and cracks that open in dry summer months and close again after winter rain. A structural engineer’s report will confirm whether the movement is tree-related. Do not commission tree work before getting that report.
Does removing the tree fix subsidence?
Removing the tree stops the root system drawing moisture from the soil, which removes the cause. However, on clay soils, the ground may take time to re-wet and re-expand after removal. In some cases, managed underpinning of the foundations is also required. Your structural engineer and insurer will advise on the full remediation required.
Do I need planning permission to remove a tree that is causing subsidence?
If the tree has a Tree Preservation Order on it, you need written consent from your local planning authority before removing it, even where the tree is causing structural damage. Most councils will grant consent where subsidence is evidenced by a structural engineer’s report. In a Conservation Area, you must give the council six weeks’ written notice before removing any tree over a certain size, under Section 211 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. HRG handles TPO applications regularly and can advise on the process.
Why would a crane be needed to remove a tree near my house?
On a large tree growing very close to a building, conventional rope-and-gravity lowering carries a risk of sections swinging into the structure as they come free. A crane-assisted dismantle holds each section on a controlled line before and throughout the cut, so every piece is lifted clear rather than lowered by gravity. It removes the risk of contact with the building entirely. The method is more costly to set up but is the appropriate choice wherever the consequences of contact with the property outweigh the additional cost.
How long does it take to remove a large tree near a house?
A crane-assisted removal of a large specimen tree, including sectional dismantling, loading, and stump grinding, can typically be completed in a single day with a full team. The site setup and crane positioning usually takes the first part of the morning. We work to have the site fully cleared and the area left tidy before we leave.
Get in Touch
If you have a tree close to your home that you are concerned about, or if you have already had a structural engineer confirm root-related subsidence, we are happy to come and take a look at no charge. We work across Hampshire, Southampton and the South of England.
Call us on 02382 440473 or email info@hrgtreesurgeons.co.uk.
