New garage and a big tree!

[Tipper]

I'm thinking of building a new garage/workshop in my garden but there is a very large lime tree on my boundary. When I say large I mean really big, maybe getting on for 30m, possibly more.

The question is how far away does the garage need to be or in real terms how close can I build?

 

[jeds]

You need to do a proper assessment using a standard assessment procedure. There is a British Standard version but the NHBC one is more user friendly.

 

[Architexeter]

The BS standard works out as a no build area of radius approximately 4 x the stem circumference measured at chest height.

Basically for me, if I hug the tree and my fingers can touch then the RPA is less than 8 metres radius, if I hug the tree and I can't touch my fingers then its more than 8 metres RPA radius. (my fingertip to finger tip span is 2m, sad that I know this but useful when you have no tapemeasure).

Thats the rule I use as a field guide prior to undertaking a full BS 5837 assessment and getting involved with pi.

Hope that helps

 

[cjard]

getting involved with pi

How many pies are required to wrap a tape measure round a tree?

 

[jeds]

You will need to be at least 12m away and then you'll have foundations over 2m deep. That's based on high shrinkable soil. You might be able to reduce that by having the soil tested. If it comes in as medium or low the foundation depth will reduce and/or the distance will reduce.

 

[Static]

I would have thought the first question would be what material are you founding into.. if its stone, gravels or chalk etc then the tree may not be an issue.. only if its clay will it be a problem..

 

[Tipper]

Thanks guys. That's all useful stuff.

First step is obviously soil type and the underlying geology which my daughter can get involved in as she is a geologist!