Living
on a wooded lot definitely has its benefits. You get to enjoy the
shade, admire beautiful trees as you look out the window, and enjoy
the squirrels and birds that visit. However, life on a wooded lot can
also come with some unique risks. The following are safety tips to
help you minimize those risks and enjoy happier, healthier life in
your home.
Trim
Trees Close to Your Home Annually
The
trees closest to your home can cause some problems, particularly if
they don’t get proper maintenance. Wind could cause a weak or heavy
branch to blow through your window. A dead tree that you don’t
remove promptly could fall onto your roof, injuring someone. Trees
that shade your roof, even if they are in good shape, can drop debris
onto the roof and increase the risk of roof deterioration and leaks.
Arrange
to have a tree care company come trim the trees closest to your home
once a year. The company will remove any limbs in danger of breaking
and help maintain a balanced shape that puts less strain on the tree.
Remove
Trees With Invasive Roots
Some
types of trees have invasive roots that can grow into drains and
sewer lines. This leads to sewage backups, which may expose you to
dangerous bacteria inside the home. If you have any of the following
trees near your home, consider removing them before the roots become
an issue:
- Poplars
- Willows
- Silver maples
- American elms
If
your drains are already slow or backing up, contact a plumber
promptly. They may need to grind the invasive roots out of the sewer
pipe, and removing the tree is the best way to keep them from growing
back.
Deadwood
Your Lot
Even
the trees further back on your lot can be a safety hazard if they
have a lot of dead limbs. Left to their own devices, dead limbs and
branches eventually fall from the tree. You would not want them to
fall on a person or pet who happens to walk below.
Arrange
to have a tree care company come deadwood your lot. They will
carefully inspect each tree, noting and removing any deteriorating or
dead branches. The company can also remove dead or diseased trees
before they become a hazard. Based on the age and conditions of your
trees, the tree care company can tell you how often you should repeat
this service.
Take
Steps for Tick Protection
As
much as you love the woods, ticks often love it more. Since ticks can
spread nasty diseases like Lyme disease, take steps to protect
yourself and your pets from these pests. Ask your vet to recommend a
spot-on or oral tick repellent for your dogs. Apply an insect
repellent to your own skin and clothes before venturing into the
woods, and check yourself and your clothing for ticks before going
indoors.
Ticks
love to hide in leaf litter too. Rake well in the fall, and trim
weeds back to deter the ticks.
Only
Use Local Firewood
Moving
firewood is a bad idea even for those who don't have a lot of trees
on their land, but as someone on a wooded lot, you need to be even
more vigilant. Firewood can contain insects and infectious fungi
which, if passed on to your trees, can cause damage and death that
makes them unsafe.
Burn
only wood from your land if possible, or if you do buy firewood, keep
it within 10
miles
.
If the wood contains insects or fungal growth, don't buy it.
If
you follow the tips above, you can safely and enjoyably live on a
wooded lot. Contact
Kaily's Tree Service
if
you need pruning, deadwooding, or land-clearing services in the
Nashville area.
