How To Prevent Trees From Falling On Your Mountain Home

Published on | log homes |Leroy Walker

Trees are an important aspect of your home's curb appeal, but they can cause problems if you don't properly maintain them. Live, decaying, or dead trees close to your log cabin or mountain home can pose a potential safety hazard. Don't take a risk; find out ways you can prevent trees from falling around or on your home.

How to Spot a Dying Tree

Trees inevitably die, and dealing with decaying trees around your property is more common than you may think. Being able to spot the damage early is key to ensuring your home remains safe.

Bare branches are one of the most noticeable signs that a tree is not healthy. If the branches remain bare during the spring and summer, take a closer look. You might find noticeable trunk damage, such as a lack of bark or vertical cracks in the trunk.

Damaged roots are among the most problematic issues with dying trees. When a tree's roots rot, the tree is no longer firmly planted in the soil, and any severe storm or gust of wind can push the tree over and possibly onto your cabin. If you've spotted a noticeable lean to the tree that hasn't been there before, you could be dealing with a root-damaged tree.

Dealing with a Questionable Tree

What's the best way to deal with trees on your property? First, prune the trees regularly to reduce the occurrences of branch damage and disease. When drought and dry weather become an issue and your trees show signs of stress, something as simple as a root feeder may help bring your trees back to life.

When a tree has died, regardless of the cause, you'll want to remove it from the property. If you're inexperienced in dead tree removal, hire a professional tree service company to do the job.

In some cases, these professionals will need to use a crane to keep the tree from damaging surrounding structures. This service may cost more money than doing it yourself, but at least you'll know your home is safe.

On the positive side, you may be able to sell a dead tree as lumber, although you'll need to get in touch with a local timber buyer.

Space New Trees Away from a Cabin

Even if the trees close to your mountain home don't show any signs of damage, a tree with branches that rub against the house can wreak havoc on your logs, chinking job, and masonry. The ideal placement of new trees is 15 to 20 feet from a structure. Keep in mind, however, that large tree species should go the farthest away from your home.

Also, be mindful of a tree's root system. Roots spread out toward moisture and oxygen, and a small tree today may damage your walkway, pipes, or patio 10 years later.

No matter how well you care for the trees on your mountain home property, you still might face issues with damaged, diseased, or dead trees. With the resources presented here, you can prevent major tree damage to your log cabin or mountain home.

Featured Image via Flickr by ginnylgorman