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Tree Related Damage, Claims Checklist.

Pre-damage checklist.

Where the structure has not actually been damaged but where the implication is that future damage is likely.

Direct damage:

Where the Council have been notified in writing that a tree or shrub is liable to cause direct damage to a property or structure by root action and/or incremental growth the Council will require the following information to be submitted:

  1. A detailed site plan is supplied, showing,
    • All relevant features, e.g. trees, structures, roads and adjacent structures
    • A north point
    • The plan should be to scale or indicate critical measurements accurately
  2. An accurate tree survey is supplied, which identifies,
    • the trees implicated identified to genus and specie level,
    • the dimensions of any trees, recording height, crown spread (measured at the 4 cardinal compass points), trunk diameter. Measurements in metres and accurate to +/- 5%,
    • The age of the tree
    • the distance of the implicated vegetation to the structure measured in metres.
  3. Details of the structures affected,
    • Age of the property/building/structure
    • Type of construction, e.g. Brick, wooden, concrete panel etc.

Indirect Damage Assessment:

Where the Council has been notified, in writing, that certain trees/shrubs pose a future risk of indirect damage (by affecting underlying soil strata,) to a property or structure the following criteria must be met

  1. An accurate tree survey is supplied, which identifies,
    • the trees implicated identified to genus and specie level,
    • the dimensions of any trees, recording height, crown spread (measured at the 4 cardinal compass points), trunk diameter. Measurements in metres and accurate to +/- 5%,
    • The age of the tree
    • the distance of the implicated vegetation to the structure measured in metres.
  2. A soil profile sample taken in proximity to the buildings foundation and accurately indicated on a 1:200 or 1:500 scaled map. The sample should indicate;
    • The dept of the trial hole investigation
    • The depth of the soil sample described
    • The type of soil encountered, i.e. sand, clay, silt or any combination of these.
    • A horticultural assessment of the moisture content
    • A record of any tree roots encountered and the depth they were found at. It is not required at this point to have a laboratory analysis of the root to identify the species.
  3. Details of the structures, including;
    • The age of the building
    • The foundation depth
    • The foundation type
  4. A detailed site plan is supplied, showing,
    • All relevant features, e.g. trees, structures, roads and adjacent structures
    • A north point
    • The plan should be to scale or indicate critical measurements accurately

Post Damage Checklist.

In the event that the Council receives written notification of a building or structure having already suffered damage, allegedly attributable to vegetation effect then the Council will require the following information;

Direct damage:

  1. An accurate tree survey is supplied, which identifies,
    • the trees implicated identified to genus and specie level,
    • the dimensions of any trees, recording height, crown spread (measured at the 4 cardinal compass points), trunk diameter. Measurements in metres and accurate to +/- 5%,
    • The age of the tree
    • the distance of the implicated vegetation to the structure measured in metres.
  2. A detailed site plan is supplied, showing,
    • All relevant features, e.g. trees, structures, roads and adjacent structures
    • A north point
    • The plan should be to scale or indicate critical measurements accurately

Indirect Damage:

  1. An accurate tree survey is supplied, which identifies,
    • the trees implicated identified to genus and specie level,
    • the dimensions of any trees, recording height, crown spread (measured at the 4 cardinal compass points), trunk diameter. Measurements in metres and accurate to +/- 5%,
    • The age of the tree
    • the distance of the implicated vegetation to the structure measured in metres.
  2. A soil profile sample taken in proximity to the buildings foundation and accurately indicated on an appropriately scaled map. The sample should indicate;
    • The dept of the trial hole investigation
    • The depth at which the soil sample described was taken
    • A soil profile from a recognised laboratory indicating;
      • Soil type
      • Liquid limit
      • Plastic limit
      • Plasticity index
      • Moisture content
    • A professionally analysed record of any tree roots encountered indicating the genus of the tree the roots are from, there condition, and the depth they were found at.
  3. Details of the structure(s) affected, including;
    • The age of the building
    • The foundation depth
    • The foundation type
    • A crack monitoring record
    • A level survey indicating distortion patterns.
    • The date that damage was first noticed and any remedial measures taken.
    • A building history indicating any modifications and/or extensions, including extensive landscape works.
  4. A detailed site plan is supplied, showing,
    • All relevant features, e.g. trees, structures, roads and adjacent structures
    • A north point
    • The plan should be to scale or indicate critical measurements accurately

If you have an enquiry about this information or generally about trees please contact trees@walsall.gov.uk

This page was last updated on 30 January 2008