Vegetation and Your Buildings

Trees, bushes, shrubs and other vegetation can add character to the outside of a building and even offer protection against the elements. However, if left unattended, vegetation can also cause severe damage.

• Trees and bushes—Damage can occur if trees and bushes grow too close to a building. Since trees and bushes are combustible, having them too close to a structure may be a fire hazard. Unmaintained overgrowth of various parts of trees and bushes also creates a variety of issues:

- Wind, snow and ice accumulation can cause branches to come into contact with walls and roofs, leading to exterior damage. Older, dead or otherwise damaged tree branches can fall onto the roof or passersby below. Leaf and broken branch buildup can also lead to clogged gutters, potentially resulting in ice dams or water penetration into the building.
- Branches can grow into a building, causing long-term damage to the siding and knocking shingles off the roofing.
- Roots—Root systems can infiltrate cracks in the walls, foundations, sidewalks and below-ground drains. Extensive root systems can extend beneath a building, causing foundation uplift. Roots can also leech water from beneath the foundation, resulting in the structure settling and sinking unevenly in the soil.

• Pests—Uncontrolled vegetation may harbor more pests, resulting in insects and rodents gaining access to the building.

Prevention

• Always keep trees and bushes well trimmed and remove, or relocate, any that are causing a problem.
• Ensure gutters are cleared of all debris.
• Clear out dead vegetation and leaves from around the perimiter of your home to prevent moisture retention and attracting bugs and mice.

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