‘Growing’ Concerns That Buyers Should Consider When Purchasing A Home

TREES! TREES! TREES! Wood you be-leaf there are over 7 million trees in the Forest City? That equals approximately 16.2 trees per Londoner. Compare this to Toronto, a city with approximately 11.5 million trees. This only equals 3.9 trees per Torontonian.

In-tree-ged?

Breathe in that sweet oxygen, Joe London! Urban foliage is vital in keeping London healthy as it lessens the negative impact of urbanization. Heck, even our metal trees make our city a better place to live by contributing cultural value.

But what does this mean for homeowners? Let’s dig deeper into the finer tree-tails (last tree pun, I promise).

The Good:

1. HUMANS CAN’T STOP POLLUTING. Trees filter fine particulates such as dust, dirt and smoke out of the air by trapping them on leaves and bark. A mature tree can absorb up to 150 kg of CO2 per year, improving air quality and making your property a healthier place to live. Trees also reduce noise pollution.

2. ‘HOT’ BABES LOVE ‘COOL’ GUYS. Correct placement of trees around homes can reduce the need for air conditioning by 30 percent, and reduce winter heating bills by 20-50 percent. Trees help communities adapt to climate change and they can reduce urban heat by 2 to 8 degrees Celsius.

3. TREES SAVE LIVES. Studies show that trees help decrease high blood pressure and stress. Trees also improve human moods, and those that are ill recover significantly faster with a window view of trees.

4. SHOW ME THE $$$. A residential property with healthy, mature trees will improve curb appeal. Curb appeal raises home values by 5 percent or more, (conservatively ranging $20,000 to $30,000 on average). Planning urban landscapes with trees can attract tourism and business, which can increase commercial property value by up to 20 percent.

The Bad:

1. SOCIALLY DISTANCE. Mature trees within close proximity to your home can cause potential damage. Roots can extend past the branches, creating issues for the foundation, sewage and drainage systems. Branches can damage shingles and eavestroughs and create an environment for moss and mould to grow.

2. TREELAW. Mature trees can become a nuisance and can create conflict amongst neighbours. A basic rule to follow is if the tree is in your “airspace”, you can choose what you want to do with it. However, you may find yourself in the middle of a lawsuit if you and your neighbour can’t cooperate when tree roots start damaging homes. Seek professional legal advice for more on this topic.

3. LESS IS MORE? Ongoing maintenance will be needed to keep your trees thriving. A large quantity of trees will cost you more money and time to maintain.

4. ADULTING. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to remove any dying or damaged trees. Removing any healthy tree that has a diameter greater than 50cm, at 1.4m height of the trunk, will require approval from the City of London.

The Ugly (Maintenance):

1. MULCH FICTION. Eliminate competition from other plants for water and nutrients. Use a thin layer of mulch spanning to the ends of the branches. Watch out for grass roots; they pose the largest threat to a tree’s health.

2. FEED ME. Baby trees need 20 gallons of water weekly for the first 2 years. Mature trees need to be watered until the top 6 to 9 inches of soil is moist. This should be done 1 to 2 times per month.

3. PARCHED. Water mature trees in the morning every 5 to 7 days during a drought.

4. GIRDLING. Do not use edge trimmers. Any damage caused will most certainly lead to death…it’s that serious.

5. STUMPED. Your trees deserve the best healthcare money can buy. Be proactive and call in a local arborist to have your trees assessed every 1 to 2 years. I highly recommend Kirsten and Jason from Koala Tree (https://koalatree.ca)

Insurance Questions (Call your insurance expert for more details):

Q: What if my tree falls on my own house?
A: Your homeowners insurance covers fallen trees if caused by weather-related events. That being said, insurance companies may ask for proof that your trees were professionally maintained to receive coverage.

Q: What if my neighbour’s tree falls on my house?
A: Your homeowners insurance covers fallen trees if caused by weather-related events. That being said, insurance companies may ask for proof that your trees were professionally maintained to receive coverage.

Q: What if my tree falls on an empty portion of my property?
A: If no damage occurs, you are on your own.

Q: What if my tree falls on an empty portion of my neighbour’s property?
A: If no damage occurs, you don’t have to do anything. Be a good neighbour and split the cost of removal ($150-$10,000).

Q: What if my tree falls on my own car?
A: Comprehensive car insurance will cover this damage.

Q: What if my tree falls on the neighbour’s car?
A: Their comprehensive car insurance will cover this damage. If they don’t have comprehensive coverage, you can use third-party liability on your home insurance, but you don’t have to. Ultimately you can say no.

Q: How do I prevent a tree from falling?
A: Be proactive and call in a local arborist to assess your current situation. Once again, I recommend Kirsten and Jason from Koala Tree (https://koalatree.ca)

Q: Is it important that the arborist I hire has insurance?
A: YES. Confirm they have comprehensive insurance. Protect yourself as a homeowner from any mishaps that may occur when using an arborist, such as injury or damage to your own home.

Financial Recap:

1. RESIDENTIAL. Mature trees increase a home’s value by 5 percent or more, (conservatively ranging $20,000 to $30,000 on average).

2. COMMERCIAL. Planning urban landscapes with trees can attract tourism and business. This can increase commercial property value by up to 20 percent.

3. UTILITIES. Correct placement of trees around homes can reduce the need for air conditioning by 30 percent, and reduce winter heating bills by 20-50 percent.

4. REMOVAL. Tree removal can cost anywhere from $150-$10,000.

5. MAINTENANCE. Yearly cost to maintain a mature tree is an average of $500-$1200. Maintenance required may not be yearly.

Informative Links:

PERMIT APPLICATIONS. https://london.ca/living-london/water-environment/trees/privately-owned-trees)
DISTINCTIVE TREE INFO. https://london.ca/living-london/water-environment/trees/privately-owned-trees
VETERAN TREE INCENTIVE PROGRAM. https://london.ca/living-london/water-environment/trees/privately-owned-trees
REFOREST LONDON. https://www.reforestlondon.ca/
TREELAW. https://treelaw.info/

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Contact Kirsten & Jason from Koala Tree; they can take care of your tree care needs.
LINK: https://koalatree.ca