Don’t let the Trees Harm Your Home

Most trees in your landscape are quite safe and pose no threat. However, some can become risks to your property if there are dead branches, cracks, weak branch joints, internal decay, or root problems. Homeowners are advised to at least learn to examine and evaluate their trees to check their integrity and adapt corrective actions that will reduce the likelihood of property damage. TreesAreGood.com, which is maintained by the environmental advocacy group International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), provided a checklist which should serve as a guide:

Consider these questions:

• Are there large dead branches in the tree?
• Are there detached branches hanging in the tree?
• Does the tree have cavities or rotten wood along the trunk or in major branches?
• Are mushrooms present at the base of the tree?
• Are there cracks or splits in the trunk or where branches are attached?
• Have any branches fallen from the tree?
• Have adjacent trees fallen over or died?
• Has the trunk developed a strong lean?
• Do many of the major branches arise from one point on the trunk?
• Has the site recently been changed by construction, raising the soil level, or installing lawns?
• Have the leaves prematurely developed an unusual color or size?
• Have trees in adjacent wooded areas been removed?
• Has the tree been topped or otherwise heavily pruned?

One major part that will eventually take the brunt of the punishment from flying twigs and leaves is the gutter. To prevent this, overhanging branches need to be pruned and home experts say that a key to gutter maintenance is keeping them away from the house. You see, without gutter covers, leaves or needles from trees can quickly fill up loose spaces. With a quick gust of rain, the stuffed organic material collected over the downspout can cause water to overflow.

Gutter Helmet®, touted as “America’s #1 Choice in Gutter Protection for over 30 Years”, offers the best range of rain gutter covers because of their unique textured surface and the PermaLife™ coating that will not chalk, crack or peel. They are also available in a variety of colors to complement your roof, so it beautifies as it protects.

(Article Excerpt from Recognizing Tree Hazards, treesaregood.com)