Trees add beauty to your property and make it look livelier. They also provide shade, privacy, and other many other benefits. However, you can’t plant a tree just anywhere in your yard.
How close can a tree be to a house without causing potential problems? As a trusted tree removal company in Lakewood, we look at how far your trees should be from your house.
Top Reasons You Shouldn’t Plant Trees Close To a House
Here are some of the common problems you’ll have to deal with when a tree is too close to your house.
Falling Leaves and Branches
If your backyard trees are too close to your house, you’ve probably noticed that your roof and gutters fill with debris quite fast. Besides being a challenge to clean, sticks, leaves, and other debris can be a headache during heavy rainfalls. Falling branches can also be a safety hazard, as they can cause property damage or injuries.
Pest Infestations
Planting trees close to your house can make it easy for pests like rats, possums, ants, and wasps to invade your home. Rats fighting in your house at night is never a pleasant experience. You can avoid such headaches by planting trees further away from your house.
Destructive Roots
Tree roots grow rapidly and extensively, searching for water and nutrients. During this process, they can crack the foundation of your home, cause your floors to slant, or burst and block utility pipes.
You might want to remove the tree roots to prevent foundation damage and other problems, but that can be a costly endeavor. Considering the root behavior before you plant a tree in your yard can save you such hassles.
Shade
When you have a tree growing too close to your home, it can block sunlight. With this shade, you won’t receive as much sunlight in your home; this, in turn, can cause problems with mold and increase your energy costs.
Fire Hazard
If you live in an area prone to fires, you should be careful about where you plant your tree and consider the type of species to plant. Planting a tree too close to your home can expose your house to the risk of fire.
What’s the Correct Distance To Plant Your Tree?
When it comes to answering the question, “How close can a tree be to a house?” you need to consider factors like size, root network, and tree species. When talking about tree size, we refer to the height, trunk size, and the canopy.
If your tree’s canopy size is over six meters in diameter, you should plant it at least half the canopy size away from your house. This will allow it to reach a full spread. Small trees may not cause serious problems.
Here are more tips:
- If you expect the tree to grow up to 25 feet tall, plant it 10 feet away from your home.
- If the tree can reach a height of 50 feet at maturity, plant it 15-20 feet away from your house.
- If the tree can exceed a height of 50 feet at maturity, be sure it’s 30-50 away from any structures in your yard.
Contact Your Local Tree Experts for Assistance
If you’re still asking, “How close can a tree be to a house?” the experts at Petrarca Landcare can help. We provide a wide range of services, including:
- Tree Cabling
- Tree Trimming & Pruning
- Tree Removal
Call us at (330) 933-0562 for a free estimate or to learn about preparing soil for tree planting today! Trust us to help with your needs.