Trees and Shrubs in Your Yard

Trees and shrubs in your yard should beautify, add value and possibly reduce energy use of your home. My purpose is to have you understand the benefits and drawbacks of the different tree species so you may make an informed choice. Your choices should eliminate risk of damage, keep maintenance costs minimal and be a reasonable cost to plant.

I like trees. Every tree planted by Mother Nature is perfect for the place it is growing. Humans cause problems with Mother Nature’s trees (watershed and wildlife) when they build a house. This conflict is my mission to explain so you may better understand the challenges when existing forest trees surround your new home.

The result is not every tree is perfect for its new environment. The tree may be susceptible to wind damage due to the changes in forest dynamic when its close neighbors were removed. Water run off must now be controlled with a man made drainage system and wildlife must find a new home.

Types Of Trees and Shrubs - Tree Physics

The first thing I look for in a yard is future safety based on the law of tree physics – what grows up, will fall down. With all the classifications of trees and shrubs, you may have learned from high school biology or elsewhere, these are my simple ways to judge your tree safety:

• Forest tree – any tree, when fully grown, could fall on a house and cause significant damage.

• Ornamental tree - any tree, when fully grown, could fall on a house and cause only minor damage.

• Shrub – any tree or woody plant, when fully grown, cannot fall on a house.

How much area is in your yard and the specie of different trees and shrubs will allow you to determine part your safety factor. More than just height and size are necessary for a total safety evaluation.

Who Is Responsible

Homes for sale may advertise “tree lined street” as a desirable location to live. Most buyers would enjoy this feature as I would this feature for the aesthetics, shade and Spring & Fall colors. There could be a liability for you:

• Who is responsible for the care, maintenance and removal of this tree that is in your right-of-way?

• If a tree limb falls and injures someone or damages others person’s property who is liable for the damages?

• If the tree roots buckle the sidewalk, who is responsible for repairs?

These problems are worth researching at the municipality prior to offering an agreement to purchase.  Has the municipality addressed these and have a written policy? Even with an active Shade Tree Commission there must be a written policy or you could be liable for these problems.