Don't Weep Over Your Willow

LONDON, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Thirsty trees likely to cause insurance headache as the drought takes grip

As the Environmental Agency extends its "drought map" into the Midlands and the South West, first direct warns the nation that a hosepipe ban and reduced rainfall could create a hidden threat to their homes and result in unnecessary insurance claims.

The direct bank has found that during prolonged periods of drought tree roots suck the moisture they need from clay in the ground surrounding them, causing it to shrink.  If left unmanaged tree roots can create subsidence, often responsible for structural cracking, particularly around windows and doors.  And, with root systems stretching out in a radius up to 2.5 times a trees height, the danger isn't only contained to trees in your own garden, but those of your neighbours as well.

The first direct Home Insurance team have produced a handy guide showing the safe distances for the most common trees to avoid root damage to a property and save the nation making Home Insurance claims^[1]:

                   Mature      Safe
      Species      height    distance

    Willow       24m (79ft) 40m (132ft)
    Elm          25m (81ft) 30m (99ft)
    Oak          24m (79ft) 30m (99ft)
    Horse
    Chestnut     20m (66ft) 23m (75ft)
    Lime         24m (79ft) 20m (66ft)
    Maple        21m (69ft) 20m (66ft)
    Sycamore     24m (79ft) 17m (55ft)
    Hawthorn     10m (33ft) 12m (40ft)
    Cherry       17m (55ft) 11m (36ft)
    Pine         29m (95ft) 8m (26ft)

Andrew Ferguson, Head of Home Insurance at first direct commented,

"It's always worth taking note of what trees are surrounding your property and, if looking to plant new ones, considering how tall a fully mature tree will grow before planting it near a property.

"Luckily first direct's Home Insurance covers homeowners for subsidence or heave of the land and falling trees or branches. We'll also pay to remove the fallen part of the tree; or the tree itself if it has been totally or partly uprooted."

However, if the problem has already 'taken root' here are some handy tips on how to minimise the damage courtesy of the Royal Horticultural Society^[2]:

• Seek independent advice from a qualified arborist and building surveyor - they'll know the best course of action
• Don't remove the tree before seeking advice - It is not always the case that removing the tree will make the problem disappear, in fact it could make it worse
• Root barriers can be used when planting new trees but, if these are deemed necessary, it is probably better to select a smaller or less vigorous specimen
• Pollarding may help reduce the potential impact of a tree by reducing its further root spread
• Make sure that it is not protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) - Local Planning Authority permission must be obtained before any protected tree is pruned or felled, and similar constraints apply to trees in Conservation Areas
• Remember, a tree is the property and responsibility of the land owner, who may be liable for any damage caused.
• Buildings up to four storeys constructed before the 1950s are most at risk, as they frequently have foundations only 50cm (20in) deep

Notes to Editors

^[1] Source: Aviva Insurance

^[2] Source: RHS advice: http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PID=225

For the latest updates, visit the first direct Newsroom or follow us on Twitter.

first direct facts

• Winner of the Which? Best Financial Provider award 2 years running
• Top financial institution in the Which? Customer Satisfaction Survey with an all-time high of 93%
• Ranked first in the Retail Banking Satisfaction Study by J D Power & Associates for two years running
• Recently (Feb 2012) received 90% customer satisfaction in a survey carried out by  MoneySavingExpert.com

first direct provides both telephone banking and online banking services to its 1.2m customers.  It offers a full range of personal banking products including its award winning Current Account and offset mortgages.

For further information please contact Rebecca Hirst on +44(0)113-276-6899, [email protected] or Amanda Brown on +44(0)113-276-6700, [email protected]  

SOURCE first direct