There are so many reasons that it’s important to keep your trees trimmed and in good health. As a professional tree service company, we often emphasize the safety aspect of trimming your trees, but keeping your trees trimmed is not just about safety. Certainly, a tree or a large branch falling in or around your yard can be dangerous. But an unpruned tree can also diminish the value of your property and impact the value of your neighbors’ properties as well.
Structural Interference
If you (or your neighbors) are looking to sell your home, potential buyers may object to trees which are in overly close proximity to the house or other structures. Trees that grow too close to your windows or walls can raise issues for appraisers as well as the potential new tenants. These trees can interfere with drainage around the house, create problems with your gutters, and can cause issues with the siding or brick work. Keeping your trees at a manageable distance from your home can prevent these potential problems.
Too Much Shade
Something else to consider is the amount of light that excessively dense trees may be blocking from windows as well as garden and lawn areas. If your trees are blocking sunlight from the south-facing parts of your yard, it can be the equivalent of having a brick wall blocking the sun from whole sections of your property. (Although this can create a positive impact in terms of cooling costs by reducing the amount of direct sunlight on your home.) If potential buyers are interested in growing vegetables or flowers, they may assume they would need to pay for tree removal in order for their new garden to thrive.
Insurance Concerns
Home insurance can be factor when considering overgrown trees, as well. Some insurance companies require trees to be a certain distance away from structures and may raise rates if growth is happening too close to the foundation, or too close to windows. Helping to prune your trees and guide them away from structures can head off this problem for you or any future potential purchasers of your home.
A general rule to consider is that a tree should be as far away from the building as it is tall. If a tree is 10 feet tall, it should be at least 10 feet away from the wall. If it is 20 feet tall, it should be 20 feet away from the nearest wall. This way, if the tree were to fall over completely, it would land clear from the building and not damage your walls or your roof.
If you think of the overall value of your home, a loss in value of even 5% is a significant financial loss. Keeping the trees in your yard in good shape, with regular trimming and maintenance, is an investment that can pay off well for years into the future. Call your local tree service experts (here in Cincinnati, call us here at Tree Images) to find out how we can help you, your trees, and your property values.
