Tree Roots Behind Retaing Wall
Tree Roots Behind Retaing Wall
(OP)
For several years, I have been watching an old concrete block retaining wall slowly fail. The wall is about 5 feet high and has rotated about it's base; it is now leaning at an angle of 15 degrees or so.
Several fair size, healty oak trees are behind the wall (within 10 feet or so). Are the tree roots, part of the problem (causing the wall to fail) or part of the "solution" (helping to retain the soil & minimize lateral pressure on the wall)?
Several fair size, healty oak trees are behind the wall (within 10 feet or so). Are the tree roots, part of the problem (causing the wall to fail) or part of the "solution" (helping to retain the soil & minimize lateral pressure on the wall)?





RE: Tree Roots Behind Retaing Wall
RE: Tree Roots Behind Retaing Wall
RE: Tree Roots Behind Retaing Wall
Engineering is the art of not constructing...of doing that well with one dollar what any bungler can do well with two after a fashion.
RE: Tree Roots Behind Retaing Wall
However, you should also look at other possible defects or inadequate design of the wall. Example, is it poorly drained? I also seen several brick walls in resential areas rotating about their base with no large trees in close proximity.
RE: Tree Roots Behind Retaing Wall
RE: Tree Roots Behind Retaing Wall
RE: Tree Roots Behind Retaing Wall
Also, Oak trees have a large root structure that easily extends 6-7m from the trunk of the tree for even a relatively immature tree. A lot of these roots are shallow feeder roots quite close to the surface of the ground. It is worth considering the shrinkage/heave potential of the soils behind the wall - Oak trees are notoriously thirsty and will cause quite large effects in shrinkable soils at the distance described in the initial post and could be implicated in the observed movement of the retaining wall.
RE: Tree Roots Behind Retaing Wall
RE: Tree Roots Behind Retaing Wall
RE: Tree Roots Behind Retaing Wall
RE: Tree Roots Behind Retaing Wall
Try:
www.irc.cnrc.gc/cbd/cbd184e.html
www.irc.cnrc.gc/cbd/cbd084e.html
w
www.irc.cnrc.gc/cbd/cbd062e.html
www.irc.cnrc.gc/cbd/cbd148e.html
www.aevoid.com/surevoid_web/soil_maps/intro4.html