Branches Over Your Roof: What They're Really Costing You

A big oak canopy stretching over your roof can look great and give you a great boost of shade in the summertime. However, there are a few things to consider when you have trees close to your home and roof.

The Physical Damage Comes First

Even a healthy limb resting against or hanging low over a roof can cause slow, cumulative wear even without storm worthy winds.

• Abrasion- Wind will move branches back and forth constantly. Even slight movement is constant wear on your roof, and this damage will eventually accumulate.

• Moisture and debris buildup- Trees drop an assortment of leaves, twigs, and seeds which not only leads to more cleaning, but if left unchecked, will create a layer of buildup that creates conditions perfect for rot and moss.

• Pest access- Overhanging limbs are a squirrels best friend. Keep branches away and keep the neighborhood squirrels from throwing a party in your attic.

• Sudden failure risk- Overextended limbs are those that have grown far and heavy away from the anchor of the trunk. They are structurally the most likely part of a tree to fail in high wind, ice, or simply under their own weight.

An example of limbs that should be trimmed and evaluated for risk above a roof in Wimberley

Where Insurance Comes In

Many homeowners don't find out their insurance won't cover tree damage to their home or roof until after the damage has been done. Generally it comes down to whether or not the damage was done by something that was sudden and accidental, or if it stemmed from a preventable cause.

If an insurer can show the damage resulted from neglect rather than an unavoidable accident, they absolutely will. Practically speaking, that means those overhanging limbs you hear scrape the roof when the wind blows are actually more than a maintenance problem. If that same limb eventually snaps in a storm, an insurer may argue the resulting damage was foreseeable and partially your responsibility to prevent, which can mean a reduced payout or an outright denial.

What Actually Protects You

The trick to keep everything in line with insurance is make sure the following happens before a storm, not after!

• Keep a clearance buffer- As a general rule of thumb, limbs should be kept well clear of the roof, not resting against or directly over it. 3-6 feet of clearance is standard, but individual insurance companies may have different preferences based on where your home is located.

• Address overextended limbs early- Look for limbs that are getting a little too big for comfort. Reducing the weight of a limb or removing the limb entirely removes the risk.

• Document your maintenance- Keep dated photos and records of pruning and inspections. Then you can show exactly how you complied with their roof and tree standards if you ever need to make a claim.

• Be proactive-  Schedule regular annual checkups for your trees and roof. Professional evaluations can make a world of difference by ensuring safety standards are met.

  
  

The Bottom Line

A tree near your home or roof is not automatically a problem- plenty of well-managed trees safely provide shade for decades. The risk comes from limbs that are allowed to grow unchecked directly over the structure, where slow damage and sudden failure both become far more likely, and where an insurer has an easy case for neglect if something goes wrong.

If branches on your Wimberley, San Marcos, Dripping Springs, or Driftwood property are hanging over your roofline, give Wimberley Tree Service a call! We will assess the risk and trim them back before they cost you more than a pruning bill.

-Wimberley Tree Service