Laying a block paving drive under trees

[Catherine12]

Hi! Firstly can I say what a brilliant site this is!

Now down to business...I am a designer with a client who wishes to have a block paved drive running between 2 mature trees (approx 15m - 20 m high). This would mean the edges of the drive coming within 1.25m of each tree. I have two main concerns. Firstly, I don't think that the roots of the trees will be deep enough under the surface to allow for sufficient depth to be excavated for the subbase. Not without major root removal which could harm the trees. Secondly I am worried that the roots may cause damage to the drive in the future. It has been suggested that the drive be raised up about 200mm above the current ground level with a small retaining wall at each side but I think this would look odd. There is a much more sensible route for the drive to take but the clients don't like it! Any suggestions?

[Ted]

If the tree is in the way of the proposed drive the tree needs to go or the drive needs to be re-routed. Of course, you don't know the extent of the root problem until you excavate.

[lutonlagerlout]

how far apart are the trees?
maybe a small radius could be concaved into the drive where the trees are?
you really need a minimum of 1.8m for a drive but >2.4 m is recommended
i have seen lots of drives constructed near trees and it nearly always ends in tears one way or the other
plus from recent experience ,roosting birds will crap all over the drive
regards LLL

[Tommy]

The majority of tree roots are within the top 2 feet of soil.

Either the tree will suffer from major root loss/ damage, or from compaction, during construction or with regular traffic

[Catherine12]

how far apart are the trees?
maybe a small radius could be concaved into the drive where the trees are?
you really need a minimum of 1.8m for a drive but >2.4 m is recommended
i have seen lots of drives constructed near trees and it nearly always ends in tears one way or the other
plus from recent experience ,roosting birds will crap all over the drive
regards LLL

The trees are 5.5 metres apart and I was aiming for a minimum drive width of 2.5m. The client feels it would look 'nice' to sweep the drive round and between the trees but from a proffessional point of view I feel it is totally the wrong thing to do. I've not yet mentioned the tight angle necessary when coming through the gate to enable the drive to sweep between the trees. People don't seem to realise the space required to manoeuvre a vehicle! ???

[Ted]

I know.

I built a garage for someone before they had converted their barn into a house or even had the plans drawn up. They then extended the barn and now you can't drive most cars out of the garage without doing a several point turn.

What a waste of a £25,000 oak garage! I've now got to move it but it will never go back together and look as good IMO.

Some people have no spatial awareness.

[lutonlagerlout]

Some people have no spatial awareness.

you swallowed a dictionary ted?
LLL

[Dave_L]

Crikey! Even I had to look that one up!

BTT - Can you not fell said trees?

[Tony McC]

If the client insists on driving between the trees, all you can do is keep as far from the boles as possible, take extreme caution when digging anywhere underneath the canopy, use a geotextile separation membrane to beef-up the sub-base, and warn your client that it's quite likely that the section of paving nearest the treees will need to be relaid every 5 years or so to overcome root growth and movement of the paving.

[Catherine12]

Crikey! Even I had to look that one up!

BTT - Can you not fell said trees?

Unfortunately the trees must stay. I think I shall just have to use tact and diplomacy on this one and refuse to do it! If I go ahead they'll be bad mouthing me in a couple of years when it all goes pear shaped and its not worth ruining your reputation for a few hundred pounds.

[Suggers]

There is a much more sensible route for the drive to take but the clients don't like it!

Any chance of talkng them round? - explaining roots & movement etc.

[Ted]

I just say "I will do it if you insist but I will offer no guarantee" when a client won't listen.

That way, when it is down in writing and they realise they should have listened they often ask you to come back and fix it and do it the proper way the next time.

[Catherine12]

There is a much more sensible route for the drive to take but the clients don't like it!

Any chance of talkng them round? - explaining roots & movement etc.

Yes, that's what I'll try to do now that my fears have been confirmed. If they won't listen to sense then I'm going to suggest they find another designer. I'm sure there are some round here that will do it and not think of the consequences!

Thanks for your help and advice!

Catherine

[JACK BARTON]

Terram do a pocketed product for the sub base which may solve the problem of compaction. It may mean raising the drive or a hump but is worth a look. There is a link on this site.

[Tony McC]

...and here it is... Terram