It’s a question that many homeowners will be asking after seeing the damage that roots do, as they scour the area for any drops of moisture. Here’s the word from Mainmark;
As the recent prolonged hot and dry weather has increased the risk of tree-related subsidence, Mainmark UK is urging homeowners not to resort to tree removal without first seeking expert advice. Instead, the ground engineering specialist is advocating sustainable solutions that protect both properties and the environment.
The likes of cracked walls, sloping or sinking floors, or jamming doors or windows are all tell-tale signs of tree-related subsidence, where the ground beneath a building or structure starts to sink. Subsidence is an increasing risk for homeowners, particularly those living on shrinkable clay soils near large water-demanding trees like oak, poplar or willow.
The average subsidence claim has reached a record £20,000 with insurers paying out £72 million in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
Trees play an important role in providing shade, are valuable habitats for wildlife and help tackle climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and filtering pollutants from the air. Greater consideration needs to be placed on retaining and managing existing trees, as areas with more trees and green spaces are up to 5°C cooler.
Freya Chapman, Residential Lead at Mainmark UK, said: “Following this year’s hotter months, we are anticipating a significant surge of tree-related subsidence. This is caused by tree roots extracting water from the soil faster than it can be replenished (when moisture is scarce). This, in turn, can cause the dissociated clay soil to dry and shrink at a fast rate, resulting in ground movement and instability for the foundations of homes.
“As wetter conditions return during Autumn and if the trees have been removed then the area can heave during the recovery of the clay soils Traditionally, homes at the highest risk of subsidence will be those located in areas with largely clay soil, including London and the home counties, Essex and the South East.”
Mainmark UK is encouraging homeowners experiencing signs of subsidence to seek expert assessment before considering tree removal.
Some traditional remediation methods can be more invasive and may affect root systems or natural water movement within the soil. A less invasive alternative is a root barrier solution containing copper which creates a shield underground to redirect tree root growth. Copper being the only compound that tree roots naturally divert away from.
Freya continued: “We need to better educate homeowners on the sustainable treatment of trees causing subsidence. We can help homeowners mitigate subsidence claims and protect the surrounding vegetation and our trees using the latest technologies non-disruptively and cost-effectively.”
Alongside copper root barriers, injecting a specialised engineered resin underneath a home’s foundations or concrete slabs can help strengthen and re-level the ground. The resin expands, compacting weak soils, filling voids and lifting the structure back to level to benefit both the homeowner and the natural environment.
Freya added: “Recently, we were involved in a project in Wales to address a long-standing issue of subsidence at the property. Four large trees were causing issues to the side and rear of a bungalow. In a matter of hours, we installed a root barrier and injected resin to successfully protect the property from further movement.”
Mainmark UK is a member of the Subsidence Forum Committee, which brings together experts and the company works collaboratively with arborists, insurers and civil engineers and campaigns for the development of textile-based root barriers using copper.
Established in the UK in 2016, Mainmark Ground Engineering (UK) Ltd is a subsidiary of the Mainmark group of companies.
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