Oak Tree Info required

[Jodycat]

Hi
Hello all! I have a baby oak tree growing in my back garden. I would like to leave it where it is but, I am wondering about structural damage in the future. It is about 20-25 feet away from my house. I have gathered they only grow about 0.5 metres a year is this about right? What do I need to know about them?
Many thanks

[Duke of York]

Hi

The first thing you need to know is what the ground is beneath the topsoil. Trees only cause a problem where there is clay present and your house foundations are on it.

If this is the case then the NHBC have guidelines which relate the mature height of the tree, its water demand, the distance from the property and the shrinkability of the clay to determine how deep any foundations need to be to avoid any structural problems.

Therefore to determine if the oak is going to cause any problems you will first need to find out what the foundations are to your house, if they are on clay and how deep they are.

If i was you I'd hope there was no clay therefore no problem

[Jodycat]

Thanks for the advice, I will check about the foundations and keep my fingers crossed the foundations aren't clay so I can leave it in situ and enjoy watching it grow!!