If you are a garden hippy, chances are you love trees and enjoy the beautiful landscape they bring to your surroundings. However, it might be less lovely when you consider the possible consequences of planting large trees near your home – particularly if Aussie home plumbing is concerned. We have a list of 30 topics to discuss and this listicle will enlighten you on ten of them. Keep reading!
Contents
- 1. Root Invasion in Pipes
- 2. Home Foundation Damage
- 3. Drainage System Blockage
- 4. Attracting Unwanted Wildlife
- 5. Increased Maintenance Costs
- 6. Danger During Storms
- 7. Damage to Walkways
- 8. Soil Erosion Risk
- 9. Limits Outdoor Space
- 10. Pruning and Trimming Needs
- 11. Harming Smaller Plants
- 12. Too Much Shade
- 13. Complex Landscaping Issues
- 14. Allergies and Health Issues
- 15. Risk of Falling
- 16. Affects Property’s Look
- 17. High Water Requirement
- 18. Potentially Higher Insurance
- 19. Blocking Scenic Views
- 20. Pressure on Sewer Lines
- 21. Risk of Diseases
- 22. Encroachment on Neighbours’ Property
- 23. Interference with Power Lines
- 24. Invasive Species Risks
- 25. Unsuitable for Local Climate
- 26. Difficulty in Removal
- 27. Restricted by Council Rules
- 28. Increases Leaf Litter
- 29. Adds Home Cleaning Needs
- 30. Affects Solar Panel Efficiency
- Conclusion
1. Root Invasion in Pipes
One of the biggest nightmares for any homeowner, especially those with majestic large trees in their yard, is an invasion of roots in their plumbing system. Tree roots can easily find their way into pipes in search for water, causing serious damage and blockages over time. Imagine a root system from an Acer rubrum or Quercus palustris embedded deep within your pipes – quite the plumbing catastrophe!
2. Home Foundation Damage
Plant life-forms can potentially cause structural integrity issues for your home foundation. Potent tree roots, like those from Cornus or Birch trees, can grow beneath your home and cause cracks in the foundation. Think about it: these powerful roots can crack sidewalks; what’s stopping them from damaging your home’s foundation?
3. Drainage System Blockage
Particularly during autumn when leaf fall is abundant, large trees like Ulmus americana and Acer platanoides can cause serious blockages in your home’s drainage system. Their leaves too can become a significant problem once they start decomposing and choking up your drains.
4. Attracting Unwanted Wildlife
Trees do more than just provide shade and beauty – they also attract all kinds of wildlife. While it’s lovely to watch birds like Crataegus monogyna nest in your backyard, having squirrels, raccoons, and other larger animals getting too close might become a nuisance.
5. Increased Maintenance Costs
Maintaining a large tree near your home is often more costly than you might think. Regular pruning and trimming needs, dealing with fallen leaves and branches as well as treating any diseases can quickly add up. It’s not just about watering your trees, it’s about maintaining your home too.
6. Danger During Storms
In the middle of a sky-darkening storm or heavy winds, large trees can quickly become a serious hazard. Tree branches or the entire tree itself can be knocked onto your property, causing significant damage and potentially putting lives in danger.
7. Damage to Walkways
Large root systems from trees like Honey Locust or Elm can cause raised platforms or cracks around walkways over time. It’s fascinating how this example of botanical strength can ruin our man-made structures. When ignored for too long, these walkway damages can lead to costly repairs or even replacements.
8. Soil Erosion Risk
Erosion is another significant issue we need to consider when planting trees near our homes. The vigorous activity of large root systems plus the shading effect of trees on the ground can end up leaving your soil exposed to erosion during heavy rainfall.
9. Limits Outdoor Space
If you’re an Aussie who loves outdoor entertaining or gardening as a hobby, think about how large trees limit your available outdoor space! You’ll want sun-loving ornamental plants and flowers to thrive but the shading from a tree canopy may hinder this. This loss of usable space doesn’t only limit your garden dreams but also hinders outdoor entertaining plans.
10. Pruning and Trimming Needs
Not that it’s a bother to all, the pruning and trimming needs of large trees can be overwhelming. And, while it’s rewarding to see your trees in their finest shape, it does require a significant investment of your time and money. Also, the bark and branches can pile up quite quickly around your yard after a pruning session.
11. Harming Smaller Plants
Planting large trees like the Quercus palustris or Acer rubrum near your Aussie home can unintentionally harm smaller plants. Large trees compete with them for essential resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients – all essential lifeforms in Botany. Over time, these smaller plants, such as shrubs and flowers, may struggle to survive under the towering shadows of big trees. Speak to your local arborist about pruning strategies to ensure an even distribution of resources among all your plant species.
12. Too Much Shade
While shade provided by large trees like elms and kingdom (biology) members such as Birch or Crataegus monogyna can be blissful during those sweltering Aussie summers, too much of it can paint a different picture. Excessive shading can hinder the growth of sun-loving ornamental plants or grass on your landscape. It also means your home won’t get much natural light – creating a gloomy interior atmosphere.
13. Complex Landscaping Issues
Plant life-forms and their morphological development are vital considerations when planning your landscaping goals. Large trees with sprawling branches need more space and can create complex landscaping issues. The broad leaves of a tree-like Acer platanoides can block sky views, while an extensive root system can affect the symmetry of your landscape. Plus, falling leaves would mean constant maintenance tasks like sweeping and leaf collection.
14. Allergies and Health Issues
Trees not only add beauty but could also bring potential health concerns, especially for those prone to allergies. For instance, the flowerings of some trees release a high amount of pollen into the air like Ulmus americana or its kin within the elm family- a common allergy trigger. Furthermore, large trees attract more insects and critters, which could potentially pose additional health risks.
15. Risk of Falling
With their towering height, large trees present a risk of falling branches. Whether it’s general pruning or storm aftermath, dropping branches from trees like the mighty Honey Locust can damage property or worse, cause injury. It’s crucial to regularly check tree health and stability by observing any signs of disease on the tree’s bark (botany), among other things.
16. Affects Property’s Look
The aesthetic impact of a large tree can be a double-edged sword. On the one side, the shape and enormity may offer majestic beauty to your property. On the other hand, overgrown plants or a disproportionate leaf-to-sky ratio can overshadow other elements or even make your property appear smaller than it actually is.
17. High Water Requirement
Large trees require more water- as simple as that. Their extensive root systems absorb a significant amount of water from the ground, often leaving surrounding plant life thirsty. Australia is renowned for its dry weather and occasional water restrictions- such situations demand prudent use of water resources.
18. Potentially Higher Insurance
In many cases, having large trees on your property may lead to higher insurance premiums. Trees pose potential risks of damaging not only your property but also your neighbours’. Its roots can cause foundational problems, and falling limbs can break windows or roofs. All these little things can increase the likelihood of insurance claims, and thus may raise your premiums.
19. Blocking Scenic Views
If you’re nestled among Australia’s beautiful landscapes, obscuring scenic views with large trees isn’t ideal at all. Dramatic coastlines, rolling hills, or sprawling city views could be masked by the dense canopy of matured trees. Well-planned pruning can help maintain your view as well as tree health.
20. Pressure on Sewer Lines
Finally, one thing we at Dan’s Plumbing know all too well is how large trees’ root systems can cause havoc to underground plumbing and sewer lines. As they seek water, roots can infiltrate pipes and create serious blockages or worse, cause them to break. The last thing you want is an avoidable plumbing nightmare.
21. Risk of Diseases
Plants are living beings and, just like us humans, susceptible to disease. When you plant a large tree near your Aussie home, you expose it to local diseases that may have a detrimental effect on its health and subsequently your property. Diseases can lead to falling branches, unsightly damage to leaves or trunks, and even death of the tree. Taking the time to consider these implications will save you from potential heartache and expense down the line.
22. Encroachment on Neighbours’ Property
As appealing as shade and wildlife are, not everyone shares your enthusiasm for big trees. They have the potential to overgrow into neighbours’ properties, causing disputes about light blockage or leaf debris. Additionally, if a branch happens to break off your tree and causes damage to their property, you could be held responsible for those damage.
23. Interference with Power Lines
One major consideration is proximity to power lines. Large trees can grow into these lines causing frequent power interruptions and posing a risk of electrical fires. Tree maintenance under such situations gets costly due not only to inherent risks involved but also compliance with safety regulations.
24. Invasive Species Risks
Unbeknownst to many greenthumbs, some large trees are considered invasive species in Australia. This means that once they’ve been planted they can spread aggressively and compete with native flora for resources like space, sunlight and water – disrupting local ecosystems in the process.
25. Unsuitable for Local Climate
Despite the idea that all nice-looking trees would be great additions to our gardens, we have to consider our local climate first. Some large trees are just not cut out for the Australian climate and can struggle to survive, let alone thrive. This can result in a less-than-ideal appearance and also the potential for disease or death of the tree.
26. Difficulty in Removal
Trees grow larger and more robust as they age — that’s no big secret. But this growth goes hand-in-hand with an increase in difficulty (and cost) when it comes to removal. Not only can removing large trees be dangerous, but it often requires professional assistance – another cost to plan ahead for.
27. Restricted by Council Rules
Council regulations often restrict the planting, pruning, and removal of large trees due to their potential impact on local flora, wildlife, and neighbouring properties. It’s prudent to do research and seek any necessary permissions before proceeding with your big tree-planting plans.
28. Increases Leaf Litter
The wider canopy of a large tree typically means more leaf shedding throughout the year. Increased leaf litter not only adds to your gardening chores but can also block gutters and drains if not regularly managed – both increasing maintenance demands and putting unnecessary strain on your plumbing.
29. Adds Home Cleaning Needs
Sunshine filtering through a leafy canopy may look breathtakingly beautiful but know what’s not so charming? The cleanup afterwards! The following are: scrubbing off bird droppings, sweeping fallen leaves, or unclogging choked gutters – all chores that you sign up for when you opt for large trees near home.
30. Affects Solar Panel Efficiency
With growing environmental consciousness, many Aussie homeowners have switched to green power such as solar panels on their roofs. Large trees can create a beautiful oasis but think of their shadow-casting effect before planting – your green power generators might not appreciate the shade like you do.
Conclusion
Planting large trees around your Aussie home can indeed create a paradise-like atmosphere. However, as discussed, there are many factors to consider before committing. Always remember, a thoughtfully planned and maintained garden can enhance the beauty of your home, promote local biodiversity, and save you a lot of “diseased tree” trouble down the line. Happy thoughtful gardening!
Dan’s Plumbing is a leading name in emergency plumbing across Australia. We ensure prompt and effective plumbing solutions for residents across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast.
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