Book Description

THIS PUBLICATION HAS BEEN ARCHIVED.

Whilst this publication can still be purchased some of the information in it has been superseded by more recent research and standards. The BRE Group does not accept any responsibility whatsoever for any loss or damage, including - without limitation - indirect or consequential loss or damage arising from use, or loss of use, of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this document.


Soil shrinkage caused by the removal of water by trees and other vegetation can result in foundation subsidence. Soil swelling caused by the recovery of moisture following tree removal can result in foundation heave. This Digest gives simple guidance on minimising these effects in clay soils and points to some dangers in current foundation practice. Table 1, based on data collected by the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, ranks tree species according to the risk of damage from them. This paper also discusses methods of protecting trench fill foundations from swelling pressures.

8 pages.

This Digest should be read in conjunction with Digests 240, 241, 251 and 412.