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| Image Credit: Pexels |
{This is a collaborative post}
Trees are a wonderful addition to the front or back yard of the home. They can provide shade from the sunlight, much needed colour to the space and they give you that literal breath of fresh air you’ve been looking for. Findingthe right trees for your yard is a wonderful thing to do for the planet - but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't be looking after them. You have to take care of the trees that you have in the front or back yards of your home, and that means taking the time to cut them back when needed.
Are you now perplexed as to why we’ve said cut them back?
Well, that’s great, because we’re going to tell you exactly why it needs to be
done. Of course, you don't have to arm yourself with a chain saw and do it
yourself - you can call the professionals - but it absolutely has to be done.
Trees provide you with the shade and curb appeal but they can also provide you
with a unique set of issues. Let’s take a look why you should be cutting back
your trees:
- They’re
dead or dying. Trees don't stay alive forever and they do tend to die off.
This happens due to disease, age or pests in the trees and a dead or dying
tree can be a safety hazard for you, too. Falling branches are a problem,
it can fall over completely during a storm (not ideal!) and you could end
up injured. By getting rid of the dead trees, you avoid all of that. Dead branches and limbs, peeling bark and a lack of leaves all tell you
that your trees are dead or dying and should be cut right out.
- They’re
damaging your foundation. Tree roots can be pretty impressive, but they
can damage the foundation of your home. Trees that are planted far too
close to the house can mean that roots stretch beneath it and disrupt the
house foundations. This is not ideal at all and removing those problem
trees can prevent further damage. Nature will out, but it doesn't have to
be out in your house foundations, right?
- There’s
a big risk of falls. If trees are planted too close to your house, garage
or the utility lines, the risks of a falling tree are huge. When there are
big storms, your trees become unpredictable and the warning signs of a
problem include leaning trunks, damaged bark and too many hanging
branches. The last thing you need is downed power lines being a hazard at
your front door, so protecting people is a must and that means cutting
back the tree or removing it altogether.
- Your
gutters will thank you. Trees that are brushing too close to the house can
leave a lot of debris in the gutters. Leaves, branches and twigs can all
back up into the gutter and cause problems, making rainwater build right
up and ensuring that you end up with leaks in your attic, damp in the
walls - the list goes on. Instead of this, you can cut the trees back or
remove them so that they are no longer touching the house at all.
- Your
trees are damaged. Trees can cop a lot from big storms, from torn limbs to cracked trunks and
branches. This can cause them to lean dangerously and badly damaged trees
are often not salvageable. They need to be removed before they collapse
entirely and cause issues in your home. You can save yourself a lot of
money by investing in their removal rather than repairing your home.
- The
council has ordered you to. If your trees are causing issues to the public
or to your neighbors, you could be ordered to remove them entirely. You
might also find that your tree roots are damaging power lines, sewer lines
or public utility lines and you can avoid all of that by getting rid of
them. If the council has asked, this means that you don't have a choice
because you would end up with a hefty fine for ignoring them. If the trees
themselves are council owned and you need to remove them, apply for a
permit first so that you can do so without any trouble.
- Your
trees are blocking public projects. You might need to remove any trees
that are blocking local construction in public footpaths. You might also
have to remove them if you want to make space for an extension in your
home or adding a new garage.
