Proper tree maintenance is vital for property owners

No one really believed that we were going to get rain this year.

Last year we spent hours getting ready for the big El Niño and what did we get? Nothing. So, when the forecasters told us storms were on the horizon, many of us didn’t believe it. Maybe we let our guard down. Maybe we didn’t think or possibly remember what drought can do to the ancient landscape of our neighborhoods. Only after we see that huge fallen tree and it’s mountainous roots upside down on the 6 o’clock news do we acknowledge the power of nature.

After all these years of drought, the trees have been stressed, dried out and have become very brittle. We’ve heard of big limbs coming down, toppling power lines, smashing cars and causing damage. Here at our office, we’ve had our share of tree stories this year. We manage some homes in Ojai where the mighty oak trees look good on the outside, but little did we know the limbs were brittle from the inside. One tenant had just moved into a beautiful property surrounded by oak trees and was beginning to unload his car. He had a thought to move the car up a few feet, just because he had a weird feeling. He got out of the car and bang! Down came a huge branch. His car was scratched and dented, however it could have been so much worse if he had lingered in the car and parked back a few feet.

Here are some thoughts about trees as it pertains to your properties.

When you have trees planted on your property, it is important to keep them in good shape. If you are in charge of planting the tree, be mindful of your property lines. If you plant that little tree close to the fence, in 10 years you might have some unhappy discussions about the tree encroaching on the property lines between you and the neighbor.

Another concern would be plumbing lines. If you need to, contact your plumber to make sure the tree roots won’t end up in your pipes as it grows. Talk to a knowledgeable nursery person and find out how large the tree will become and what the root habits will be. Doing your investigation and due diligence now can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars down the line.

Think about how your gutters and sidewalks will be affected as well.

We like to take a look at the trees once a year. Do they need trimming? Do they look well? It may be a good idea to have a licensed arborist take a look and make sure there isn’t something you may not be aware of, especially if the tree is near your house or where you park your cars. You could prevent a catastrophe, not to mention liability in taking steps of prevention.

Since things do happen that we can’t prevent, make sure your insurance is up to date. Have a talk with your homeowner’s insurance agent to find out what you are insured for and what you may want to add.

Again, renters insurance for those who are renting can be the difference between a difficult but manageable situation and one that causes great financial harm.

Trees are a beautiful addition to any property, however it is imperative to pay attention to their health and maintenance.

Stephanie Wood is a broker and property management specialist with Preferred Property Management and Real Estate in Ventura. Do you have a question regarding rental property as a landlord or tenant? Send questions to stephanie@gowithpreferred.com.