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Trees are some of the most important things in the environment. For one, they help in ensuring that there’s enough rain, which is significant for various activities, from farming to maintaining sustainable water levels. In addition, many people plant trees in their backyards for the beauty and shade they offer, not to mention the fact they can help protect you from extreme conditions and temperatures. As such, trees can make your property’s environment fresh and comfortable, which might play a role when estimating the value of your home.
It might come as a surprise to you, but trees do have a few disadvantages. These drawbacks are pre-eminent in and around your backyard. They may range from physical damages to the promotion of termite infestation. It’s important that you understand these problems so that you can be in a good position to deal with them if you become a victim in the future.
Gloved hand of a man pulling up a root in freshly dug over soil in a gardening and horticulture concept
Perhaps, the most common problem associated with trees in your backyard is their huge roots. They play several roles that are crucial to the survival of any plant. For instance, every vegetation needs water, nutrients, and oxygen for them to have healthy growth. All these components are readily available near the surface of the soil. (See also, how long does it take for grass to grow.)
Therefore, although roots will need to grow deep into the soil to provide support, some of them stay near the soil surface, wherein precipitation infiltrates the earth and oxygen from the atmosphere can easily be acquired. Depending on the soil’s fertility, others might spread across your backyard, looking for better sources of water and nutrients. That explains why you’re likely to find the majority of large trees with roots nearly visible. In fact, some have been exposed due to soil erosion and other natural factors.
The main objective of all these processes is to ensure the healthy growth of the trees. However, they pose a threat to the artificial environment around them. For instance, they can damage structures, such as walls, pavements, or even water pipes. Luckily, there are some ways of dealing with tree roots. Find the best method that’s ideal for your situation and apply it.
This might not be a popular problem, but it’s not unheard of. Some trees offer a good breeding ground for termites and other insects, which might be the cause of your future problems. Usually, termites feast on dead wood, but they can also make a meal out of living trees. These insects sometimes eat the roots of both trees and shrubs.
You might be wondering how termites living in trees should bother you. Well, for one, these insects are known for their destruction of building materials. If your buildings and fence walls are anywhere near these trees, they might be the insects’ next habitat. As termites multiply, they start spreading to the nearest structures, and, with time, parts of your walls might start coming down due to termite infestation.
So, what should you do to avoid getting to this point? It’s important to keep up with proper tree maintenance procedures, like removing dead limbs, as soon as possible. Consider doing an annual termite inspection within your property to prevent any irreversible damages. As soon as you spot any signs of these insects, contact a pest control expert.
As termites eat parts of the trees, their branches become weak and are easily broken. If you have such trees near your home, then, the broken branches may fall on your roof or any property within the compound. The damages caused by such occurrences are substantial and may even lead to fatal injuries, not to mention material losses. To prevent these things from happening, always inspect the trees located near your house and chop off any weak limbs. It’s worth noting that heavy storms can break even the strongest of branches. Therefore, it’s important that you take the necessary precautions.
Moisture doesn’t sound too much of a problem when it comes to trees. However, after taking a keen look into the issue, you’ll realize how significant it can be, especially to your structures. Regardless of the material used to construct the exterior of your house, moisture can lead to deterioration. If you don’t notice this early enough, it may be very dangerous to anyone living in that building.
Trees bring about constant changes in moisture content around your backyard. The immediate victims are your joists, studs, and wood panels. The latter could be separated from other parts of your construction, making it quite dangerous because they might start falling off. Another area that’s hugely affected by moisture is the paster, which usually cracks when exposed to such conditions.
In the long run, you might be looking at a lot of losses. Remember, all of these issues require immediate repairs to maintain the safety of people and property within your backyard. To avoid such damages, you should start by clearing your compound and ensuring that there’s a safe distance between your buildings and the trees.
Conclusion
There are many benefits to having trees within or around your backyard. Vegetations create a relaxing environment and give your compound a natural beauty. However, as you plan your home, it’s important to note some of the problems that you might face if you grow trees close to the buildings. Roots are some of the most damaging parts of a tree, and you could be looking at a lot of losses if you’re not careful. They are known for their rapid growth off the ground in areas where soil fertility is an issue. In the process, they may break your water pipes, damaged pavements, or even your walls.
Termite infestation might also prove to be a problem even for places you least expect. These insects feast on your trees, and once they multiply, your construction structures become their next habitat. Apart from damaging your walls and wood frames, they could also weaken some of the branches. This might be costly, especially when there’s heavy wind. Prevent all these problems by doing regular checkups and dealing with them as soon as they happen.
