Whether a tree is causing direct damage to a property is generally obvious.
Whether a tree is bearing or will bear any indirect infl uence on a property is far less
clear but dependent on three fundamentals: (1) whether roots are under or can
get under foundations, (2) the capacity of those roots to abstract moisture and
crucially (3) whether the foundations bear upon a shrinkable substrate. In trying
to determine factors 1 and 2, too much emphasis is placed on attributing a tree
with a certain moisture uptake capacity and little if none is placed on considering
other criteria that are fundamental in infl uencing these two processes. These are
explored in greater detail in this paper and all must be considered holistically.
Trees can cause damage to buildings and this can be signifi cant but this must
be clearly established and once established the invariably cheaper option of tree
management to a structural solution must be challenged where appropriate in an
environment where sustainable development is becoming crucial and the benefi ts
of greenery in urban spaces is increasingly recognised.

• Do trees really cause so much damage to property?