Overgrown trees can cause various problems in your outdoor space as well as potentially damage your home. If you suspect that your trees could be crowding your yard, you’ll want to watch for certain warning signs.
1. Encroaching Branches
When you have tree branches that begin to hang over your roof, it can lead to a hazardous situation. Storms tend to break branches, and then they can fall on your roof or hit your home’s windows. Small branches can scratch your shingles and siding, which lets moisture get into your house. Another issue with branches too close to your home is that squirrels and other pests are more likely to go on your roof and even indoors.
2. Branches Hitting a Power Line
Speaking of damage from branches, trees should not be allowed to hang over or too close to power lines. Any high winds or storms can cause them to fall on the power lines and lead to a fire or outage. Though utility companies will trim trees regularly that pose a risk, avoid letting branches get unruly. You want to maintain control over how you prune your tree branches so you can avoid liability. Always rely on a professional arborist to trim a tree that’s over a power line.
3. Falling Branches
Broken and weak branches go unnoticed when your tree is overgrown. This means you’ll have more branches fall from your trees. Once this happens, you’re more at risk of tripping, and surrounding plants may suffer. It’s a good idea to look out for these branches during a routine trimming schedule.
4. Blockage of Sunlight
Many homeowners enjoy letting natural light shine into their yards and inside their homes. Overgrown trees with dense canopies leave you with too much shade. This can affect the growth of smaller plants and grass and make it more likely that mold and mildew will grow in the yard.
5. Cracked Driveways and Sideways From Roots
Tree roots become a problem when you don’t plan carefully to keep them from growing out of control. They may push up the sidewalks, cut into the septic system, and make cracks develop in your driveway. If the roots aren’t maintained, they can compromise your home’s structural integrity. In extreme cases, you may need to consider tree removal.
It’s important to assess the growth of your trees and to keep up a regular trimming schedule. Avoid major issues that impact you and your home by taking action as soon as you notice signs of tree crowding. Contact Charleston Stump Stompers of the Charleston, SC area for preventative tree maintenance and overgrown tree care.
