With proper care and routine maintenance, landscaping trees and fences are often two of the items that most add value to one’s property. The value may be measured monetarily or through the provision of privacy or environmental-consciousness. But how might trees and fences be negatively affected when they co-exist? Here are a few things to consider.
When adding a fence to your property with existing trees, it is important to consider several things.
First, consider the average root growth of the species. What’s the average expansion of the feeder roots, or the roots that expand horizontally? Will construction of a fence interfere with their growth or viability? It goes without saying that if this is indeed the case, the overall health of the landscaping trees may be impacted. Damage to roots, which are the trees’ life source, can lead to devastating results.
Second, consider the average size of the tree’s canopy. This will give you a general idea of the overhang of the tree’s branches. Then, consider the normal weather conditions for your area. Is it prone to damaging weather conditions, such as high winds, torrential rains, heavy snow or ice? If so, it is important that the limbs be properly and routinely trained, as dead or dying tree limbs often succumb to such harsh weather conditions and may damage your fence in the process.
Aside from this fact, trimming and other proper care of a tree helps sustain its viability and longevity. Contact an Austin tree trimming professional to help maintain unruly or unhealthy branches on your landscaping trees.
Conversely, if you are adding trees to a landscape with an existing fence, many of these same considerations should also be made.
An Austin arborist can help determine not only which trees would be best suited for your soil, but also where the best place on the landscape would be for a tree to be planted. Roots can upset foundations and uproot fences and walkways. Working with a bona fide professional can help determine the best distance a tree should be from a fence, home, sidewalk or another tree to prevent damage or intertwining roots.
With existing fences, assistance determining the appropriate distance of a tree is also particularly valuable because any branches that may overhang a privacy fence onto a neighbor’s property can become a legal gray area. Additionally, if a neighbor’s privacy fence is already established and aligns your property, thereby lessening the fence sections required of you, those sections, then, are technically the property of your neighbor. If damage to their section of the fence is caused by branches from any of your trees, the possibility exists that you may be held legally responsible for repairs. A reputable and licensed Austin tree trimming professional can help you maintain the structural integrity of your tree by correctly trimming weakened or susceptible branches.
Carefully consider where to place a privacy fence or a tree. Then, work with an Austin tree care specialist to maintain optimum health and growth of your trees, and protect other areas of your property, and possibly others’, in the process.
About the Author: Andrew Johnson is the owner of Central Texas Tree Care, a leading provider of Austin tree service in Central Texas. Certified ISA Austin arborist services including: tree trimming, tree removal, tree care and oak wilt treatment. For more information on Austin tree service, please visit https://centraltexastr.wpengine.com.
