From Dead Branch to Deadly Bullet: Why Your Windows Are at Risk From Trees
When a mature tree is too close to a building, various structural issues can occur above and below ground. Depending on your tree's condition, one area of your home especially at risk are your windows. A tree branch too close to a window can give rise to a number of problems that can affect both your home and your health.
If you have a tree in your yard that is in close proximity to your home, you should evaluate it to determine if you are at risk of one of the following problems occurring.
Sap Could Coat Your Windows
Trees produce more sap during spring and summer. As a result, if conditions are right, trees ooze sap that then drips onto anything in range, and that includes your windows. Tree sap obscures windows, causing the rooms within to become gloomy. It is also very difficult to remove.
Some trees, such as the sugar maple, produce a large amount of sap. This can sometimes ooze from the tree. However, the main cause of oozing sap is damage done by attacking pests, such as aphids, or by diseases or physical wounds. If your tree begins to drip sap onto your home and its windows, you should hire an arborist to inspect it. If the tree is diseased, removal might be the best option.
Dead or Dying Trees Are Missiles
Trees don't die quickly. They have food stored within their roots. This means that even if they lose their entire leaf canopy, depriving them of food gained through photosynthesis, they can continue to survive for many months, perhaps even several years. However, as a dying tree's branches die, they grow dry and brittle.
During a storm, powerful winds can transform dead branches into deadly missiles. These branches could destroy nearby windows and perhaps injure anyone within the house. Are your trees healthy? Have you noticed dead branches within your tree's canopy? Again, only a certified arborist can give you an accurate assessment of your tree.
Mould Could Creep into Your Home
Mould can spread into your home via a nearby window if a tree is close enough. This isn't because the tree itself is the carrier. Mould needs a moist surface in order to grow, and it can grow within 24 hours if conditions are right. The shadow cast by the tree will ensure that any wet areas on and around your window remain damp and cool.
The spores released by mould spread to nearby surfaces, such as carpets, wood panelling and drywall. You could later suffer from respiratory issues as a result.
If your tree seems close enough to peer into your windows, you should think about hiring an arborist to assess the danger to your home. You may need to remove the tree if it means saving your windows, and yourself, from the various risks the tree poses. However, your tree might simply need to be trimmed to reduce the risks to your windows and home.
For more information on tree trimming or turning your tree debris into leaf mulch, contact your local tree services today.