Green spaces with large trees are highly beneficial, providing shade, beautiful views and improved air quality. However, when trees or branches grow too close to properties, they can damage roofs and other structures. Understanding the risks can help you protect your roof and prevent costly repairs.
Here are our top tips to stop trees from damaging your roofing.
How do trees damage roofs?
Large trees like sycamores can end up damaging roofs as they continue to grow and thrive. For example, overhanging branches could break and fall during high winds or stormy conditions, potentially causing significant damage to materials like roof tiles. Branches laden with heavy snow or ice are particularly hazardous, as they can put additional weight and strain on the roof’s surface.
Accumulation of tree debris on your roof can also cause property issues. Items like leaves and twigs can land on rooftops, clogging gutters and drainage systems. This can lead to water pooling and damage to underlying structures.
Trees can also create more shade, encouraging moss growth, which can displace tiles and cause property leaks. You may also experience more bird intrusions and noise if your trees grow close to windows and roofing.
Can you tell if a tree is growing too close to your property?
Identifying whether a tree is growing too close to your property requires careful assessment of its proximity to the roof and other structures. The best thing to do is ask a professional tree surgeon to take a look.
They’ll evaluate whether branches are extending over the roof and their stability. They can also consider the location of the tree’s root system in relation to the property’s foundations. This can often be the cause of cracks in driveways and paths.
Once your tree surgeon has completed their tree inspection, they can outline the different solutions for reducing the risks to your property.
Do overgrown trees need felling?
Deciding whether to prune or remove a tree is an important choice. In some cases, overgrown trees may need to be felled to prevent property damage. However, completely removing the tree should be a last resort, such as if there’s an imminent threat of causing significant damage.
Pruning trees to remove overhanging branches and the size of the canopy can reduce the risks of falling debris while controlling future growth. Your tree surgeon can recommend appropriate pruning techniques to maintain the tree’s integrity and suggest necessary measures to keep on top of the situation going forward.
Tree surgeons can also advise you about root barrier installations where intrusion is a concern, preventing the spread towards a property by redirecting the root growth away from vulnerable structures.
Worried about the size of your trees? Contact DH Tree Services
DH Tree Services is here for your needs. We offer tree care solutions in Surrey and South West London, including Cranleigh, Earlswood and East Grinstead.
For more advice, contact us.
