Building a house near willow trees

[sellickbhoy]

Hi All

we are looking into the possibility of building a house on a plot of land.

There will no doubt be a lot of questions to follow, but the 1st one I'd like some advice on is coping with the existing willow trees on the site.

about 3-4 years ago, the field owner planter willow (salix salix i think) to help improve the issues he had with drainage on the land (the plot is at the bottom of a long driveway and when it rains the water runs down the drive and hits the flat field at the bottom.)

So, the willow are not at all mature, they have never been coppiced/pollarded - they just look like long poles stuck in the ground just now!

I know willows are expert water seekers and they should be nowhere near a house or it's drains/pipes

I also know they are pretty resilient and leaving just a small piece can see the tree grow all over again

So....

1. How far from these trees should any property be built?
2. is there a way of protecting a house/it's founds from advancing trees
3. What would be involved in removing them completely and is it a safe option?

thanks
SB

 

[Blagard]

For safe distances many authorities have their own guidelines like the one following
http://www.darlington.gov.uk/dar_pu...gServices/LABC/Foundations Close to Trees.pdf

Digging trenches and installing propriety root barriers is one possibility to help limit the spread of roots. The last time I was on a site for this was too long ago to recall exactly what type of roots were claimed the barrier worked against.

I suppose if the willows are on the plot and there are no local conditions against it, just dig them out. These days trees are often protected and sometimes owners have to plant them to comply with some local authority directive. Just make sure you are clear to do what you want before going ahead.

Edit:
Ah ha! Root barriers like these: http://www.hy-tex.co.uk/index.php/products/geotextiles/root-barrier-c3