Buying an older home offers countless benefits. In addition to their charm and character, they have full-grown trees that provide plenty of much-needed shade. While these trees can make your home more energy-efficient, they can also pose some risks — particularly if the previous owners didn’t care for them regularly. When buying an older home, here are some tree care steps you should take.

Essential Tree Care for Older Homes

1. Tree Pruning

Left unattended, the trees near your home may grow a little fuller than what is safe. If there are branches hanging over or touching the roof, those need to be addressed promptly; they can cause roof damage over time. Have a professional properly prune back the trees so they’re safe and beautiful.

2. Health Evaluation

Tall, full trees can look healthy on the surface but may have a disease, fungus, or pest infestation. A tree care expert can carefully evaluate each tree surrounding your new home to determine the status of its health. If any problems are discovered, they can make recommendations that allow you to keep those full-grown trees and the shade they provide.

3. Tree Removal

If your tree contractor uncovers problems that cannot be solved, they may recommend complete tree and stump removal. This may be the only solution to prevent serious hazards and to keep the other trees on your property safe. In addition to common diseases and pest infestations, trees that are leaning may have sustained root damage, which makes them vulnerable to storms. Removing them is recommended so you don’t find yourself needing emergency tree service. 

If you’ve recently purchased an older home surrounded by large trees, don’t wait to begin these tree care steps. The sooner you have them inspected and pruned, the safer your new home in the Greater Hudson Valley area of New York will be. For expert, year-round tree service, turn to 4 Seasons Tree Service. In addition to tree pruning, they also handle tree and stump removal and offer emergency services following major storms. Call them today at (845) 565-8600 to request a free estimate. For more information, please visit their website.