Fir tree close to retaining wall
Globetrotter222
Posts: 13
I have a Douglas fir growing at the back of my garden about 30cm away from a retaining wall. The wall has developed a slight lean and is in need of repointing. It’s not 100% clear but the tree is probably to some extent to blame although I’m afraid I have let the brickwork get into bad condition. The other side of the wall drops about 6ft to an alleyway (about 4 foot of wall is retaining). The fir is approx. 35ft high (having been reduced by ten foot or so earlier this year after neighbours worried that it was swaying too wildly in their direction).
The brickie says he can repoint the wall with the tree in situ and as I am rather attached to the tree and generally don’t like cutting things down, I am inclined to let him go ahead with this.
My question is this: with the tree reduced in height, is the root system still expanding? If so, then I guess in repointing the wall with the tree still standing I am just delaying the inevitable and should go the whole hog and have the poor tree cut down.
But if the root system is likely to be as big as it will ever be then I’ll keep the tree and strengthen the wall.
Many thanks for any suggestions, advice or stories of similar problems!
Posts
Repointing the wall will do nothing to correct any lean, nor will it significantly address any structural weakness that may have developed.
As you say this is a retaining wall, is it leaning on the outside below what we can see as ground level on the picture, or just the top part that is clear of the ground?
The lean is more pronounced at the top but does continue below ground level on the other side.
Many thanks!
Personal choice of course, but for me I wouldn't want to reduce it's height.
Lovely traditional old brick wall with half round blue coping. Looks much better than next doors rebuilt wall (IMHO).
However, it does look from the pic that it is leaning quite badly and looks like it may need rebuilding. Maybe the camera angle that is exaggerating it but if that lean continues at same rate below ground level as it appears to above, i'd guess it is 200mm out top to bottom. Put a string over it and measure it.
It also appears to be built half brick and it is a high wall to be built that way if so, can you tell if it is half brick or one brick thick below ground level?
Unfortunately, it is half brick but it does have two supporting "columns" (sorry, I don't know the terminology). The brickie suggested lowering by several bricks and relay the original coping on top. I don't think the lean is as much as 200mm - too dark to check now but I did measure it before. If reduced, it definitely wouldn't be.
I guess you're saying the tree should go either way?
Cheers!
Removal of a large tree, if close to the house (and looks like it may be close) can cause more damage especially if you are on clay soil? which will heave as the water previously taken up by the tree returns into the ground. So it should be considered thoroughly either way.
Lowering the wall and repointing may serve as a temporary fix, but for me I think the wall really needs to be rebuilt anyway, especially so if you wish to keep the tree as a better foundation needs to be installed to prevent any further movement.
Thanks very much for your help and knowledge!!