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Buying a Home With Big Trees

BUYING A HOUSE WITH LARGE TREES IN SAN ANTONIO – 

 

There’s no denying that a buying a home in San Antonio with mature trees in the yard can be very appealing. They provide shade on a hot Texas summer’s day or beautiful foliage in the fall. Mature trees add a sense of sophistication and curb appeal to a home and can boost property value. But, big trees can also cause major problems. If you’re buying a home with big trees, then this is what you need to consider.

Older Trees Could be Diseased, i.e. Oak Wilt

Big trees are often decades old, which means they’ve had plenty of time to become diseased or damaged. If you’re looking at a home with mature trees in the yard, then you need to look for indications that it may be having problems. Check for holes in the trunk, which could be a sign of infestation. Also, look for fractures and be suspicious of any tree that has a pronounced lean — it could topple over soon. In San Antonio, many homes for sale have live oak trees that are over 100 years old. Oak trees provide some of the best shade as well as make for some great climbing trees for kids. However, with oak trees, you have to be mindful of the deadly oak wilt disease. Knowing when to prune oak trees and when not to prune oak trees is critical. Avoid pruning oak trees in the summer as it increases their risk of oak wilt.

Messy Tree Droppings

Another thing to consider when buying a home with large trees is they can create big messes. In San Antonio, the live oaks don’t loose its leaves in the fall but in the early spring. You will want to think about how often you’ll need to rake to keep your yard tidy. Also, research to see what kind of  messy trees are in the yard. Do they shed seeds in spring or acorns in the fall? Perhaps a tree that drops sticky pods? You’ll need to think about how much time you want to invest in looking after the mess that a messy tree can create.

How Far Should Tree Branches Be From House?

The branches of a big tree can also be quite treacherous. Large branches can fall off in a storm. If tree branches are hanging over your roof or driveway, then they have the potential to cause serious damage or injury. This is especially true for dead branches. You’ll need to invest in having the dead material trimmed from the tree when you move in to avoid serious problems down the line. We recommend consulting with an arborist from a licensed tree-trimming service who knows how to cut tree limbs over a house. And, especially if you have tree branches that are touching your roof since this allows for carpenter ants and other insects easier access to your home.

Tree Roots Can Cause Problems with a Home

Big trees don’t simply consist of what you see above ground. Mature trees, like the live oak in yards in San Antonio have extensive root systems that can reach three times farther than the foliage itself. Tree roots close to house foundation cause problems including growing into pipes, septic tanks, utility lines, pavement, or even the foundation of your home. They are so strong that tree roots have been known to lift concrete slab foundations. They can make it challenging to plant anything else as new plants will be competing with the established roots of the tree for food.

Buying a House with Large Trees and Gardening

Do you have dreams of creating a vegetable garden in your new home? Then consider how much shade those big trees create. A mature tree can cast considerable shade over your yard, making it almost impossible to grow anything underneath except for the most shade-tolerant plants. Mature trees can also kill the grass beneath them. If you have your heart set on a lush, green lawn then a large tree can make that almost impossible. Sometimes, mulching around trees is a cost-effective alternative to grass and saves on water which is helpful for San Antonio homeowners.

It Could Mean Another Home Inspection

Finally, when you’re considering buying a home in San Antonio with big trees you may need another inspection during the closing process. You should consider hiring a professional arborist to assess the condition of the tree and recommend if you should trim it or remove it altogether. A good arborist can help you decide whether or not that beautiful mature tree in the yard is actually an asset or a liability.

For other real estate advice or tips for buying, selling or owning a home visit our blog.

To find a home in San Antonio TX, contact Melissa Muse Wiggans, Broker and Owner of Real Estate Muses. Her team of top San Antonio Realtors specialize in residential real estate for those buying and selling homes in San Antonio as well as military families and others moving or relocating to San Antonio, TX. Visit realestatemuses.com or call 210-485-9913 today.

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