Technology Makes Landscaping Easier Than Ever
Is Your Tree Endangering Your Home?
Jose Wheeler
Trees add beauty to your home landscape, but they can also endanger your house and family. Know the signs of problematic trees so you can take care of the situation before it is too late.
Soil Churning
Check your landscape trees after a storm, particularly one that included high winds. If the soil looks disturbed over the roots, you have signs of soil churning. Soil churning occurs when a tree is not deeply rooted enough to anchor itself well. Wind causes the tree to rock in the ground, which churns the soil. If the soil is saturated, the tree can easily blow over and hit your house.
You may be able to save the tree with deep irrigation practices, which encourage deeper rooting. A tree service may also recommend thinning the canopy to reduce mass, as well as staking the tree for more support.
Fallen Limbs
Trees that overhang buildings can pose a major risk. If a branch breaks, it can puncture the roof and cause major damage. Overhanging branches also shade the roof, which can lead to moss growth. Falling leaves and twigs can clog gutters and lead to ice dams in the winter months.
Ideally, trees should be planted far enough away from the home so that falling branches aren't an issue. If necessary, a tree service can trim back the branches so they aren't endangering your home.
Scraping Branches
Branches that touch or nearly touch the side of your home are another risk. When the wind blows, the branches scrape against the siding — which can pull siding loose or damage trim. Blowing branches may also break windows.
Any tree branches that can touch the house when the wind blows should be kept trimmed back so that your house is safe.
Root Damage
Tree roots spread out to the same distance as the farthest branches reach. These roots are quite tenacious, and they can work their way into small places and cause major damage. The most common places to suffer damage are foundation walls and main sewer pipes, both of which are expensive to repair. Roots can also grow under patios, driveways, and sidewalks, causing them to crack.
Avoid planting trees near sewer lines or the foundation of your home. A tree service can install root barriers in the ground around any trees that are already endangering your home. In some cases, you may need to have the tree removed.
Contact a residential tree service if you suspect that your trees may be endangering your home.
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When I was young, I loved helping my mother in the garden. Our yard was filled with plants and flowers that she kept in immaculate condition. Once I was an adult and bought my first home, I learned that there was much more to landscaping a yard than I ever imagined! After a little trial and error planting a few flowers in my yard that died quickly, I realized the technology that is available to aspiring gardeners makes trial and error a thing of the past. After I found out what my "hardiness zone" was, I realized I was planting flowers made for much cooler climates, and I played around with software that let me design my yard very easily! I learned a lot throughout the experience, so I thought I would share my tips with everyone who needs them. Come back often to check out my new tips!