Tree roots can eventually grow through pipes as they move into groundwater, and this can cause costly damage to your plumbing system. In addition, trees that are too close to houses can affect drainage, causing more water to accumulate near the house, increasing the risk of mold and rot. Trees that grow too close to your home can damage the foundation or roof and encourage the invasion of insects, rodents and birds. However, cutting down large trees yourself can be dangerous, so always seek professional help if you decide to take this action.
How and where are important factors in deciding how closely trees are placed. Trees planted too close can damage house structures. A mature tree can also damage lawns, foundations, or driveways when its root system expands in search of water and nutrients. The distance between the foundation of your house and the trunk of the tree should depend on the size of the tree you want to plant.
Generally, trees should be about 15 feet away from a house. Some large species need a little more space, while smaller ones may be a little closer. Despite all their benefits, trees have certain growth requirements. Ignoring them will end up costing thousands of dollars in damages.
If trees are located next to the house, leaves, twigs and acorns can fall into the gutters, where they can cause obstructions. Fallen branches can end up on the roof and damage the shingles or cause the gutters to come loose or fall off. A storm can cause large branches to fall, which can lead to broken windows, partial or total roof collapse and injury to occupants of the house. An “nuisance” that is often alleged involves the invasion of trees, shrubs and other vegetation from one lot to an adjoining lot.
This problem can easily turn into an emotional problem with the owner of a property who loves a large and elderly tree, while the neighbor next door complains about the branches sticking out of the property. It should be noted that, less some degree of lack of maintenance, the owner of a property is not responsible for fortuitous acts, for example, unforeseen events that may cause damage to the contiguous lot. An example would be a lightning strike that causes a burning tree to collapse on the car of the next door neighbor. If you already have trees or shrubs near your home, have them pruned regularly and watch for signs of plant-related problems.
If you are the neighbor whose tree is being threatened by invasion claims, do the same in reverse. Whenever you suspect that your tree is suffering from one or more of these problems, contact your local tree expert to visit your property and assess the situation. Innocent mistakes when trying to cut roots or overprune a tree can lead to deterioration of the tree's health and ultimately death. In most states, a homeowner has a duty of “common and reasonable prudence” in maintaining shrubs and trees on their own property to prevent injury to others or to someone else's property.
And some trees are more avid water lovers than others—poplars, willows and silver maples are the worst culprits—and are more likely to cause problems. Even when you cut at an angle to remove the tree from a house, it could fall on itself if you are not careful. If a third or more of the trunk of the tree is hollow inside, it will be necessary to remove it as a precaution. Several safety measures are needed to reduce this risk, especially pruning the top of the tree to prevent branches from falling out when the tree falls.
Your negligence or contempt violates your policy, so damage to trees is not covered and the claim is likely to be denied. The result is that, when a tree begins to grow near a base, whether it has been planted there or has sprouted there on its own, most of its roots will grow away from the base, into the nearest wetter soil. As I mentioned, I have a professional chainsaw certification and even I wouldn't try to cut down a large tree near my property, it's too risky. .
