Key Maintenance Tips For The Trees Around Your Home

Trees can be a wonderful asset to your front, side, and back yards. But they can also cause serious damage to your home when high winds how and storms brew. Of course, your home insurance coverage is in place to take care of most damage caused by trees and tree limbs. But, to avoid having to make claims in the first place, you might want to consider better tree maintenance.

Here are our key maintenance tips for caring for the trees around your home.

How To Care For The Trees Near Your Home

When Planting New Trees, Choose The Right Species

Not all tree species do well in yards. That’s because many species (such as Willows, Lombardy Poplars, Silver Maples, and Box Elders) are typically brittle. Avoid these tree species. And choose strong species that can withstand even high winds and serious storms without breaking.

Plant Your Trees At Optimal Distances From Your Home And Outbuildings

Planting a tree right next to your home is not a good idea. Nor is it a good idea to plant one right beneath a power line. Still, it’s nice to have nearby trees for shade and shelter. Speak to a tree specialist or builder to get a good idea of how far away you should plant new trees.

Prune Trees When Needed

Most tree species need occasional pruning. Still, many homeowners avoid this job — as it can seem unnecessary when there’s been no damage yet. Unfortunately, damage can occur without warning due to storms or other incidents. You can avoid mitigate this risk by trimming your trees when they are young and at regular intervals throughout their lifespans.

Keep A Close Eye On Your Trees Throughout The Year

In all seasons, you should keep a close eye on your trees to make sure they are not rotting, decaying, or showing other signs of distress. Invasive species — such as insects and weed-like vines — can often hinder the strength of your trees. Catching these items early can help you avoid having to rip out your trees and will keep them safe and strong.

By keeping the trees around your home healthy and pruned, you can avoid having to make home insurance claims because of tree damage. This will effectively save you a bundle of paperwork, the risk of  raised premiums, and overall aggravation in the process.