When considering the upkeep of your garden, it is easy to take a hands-off strategy with your trees. But unless you want to file a huge homeowners insurance claim when an unhealthy tree in your yard falls on your house, there are a couple of precautions you can take to ensure the long and healthy life of your trees.

Important Tasks for Tree Upkeep

1. Schedule an Arborist

At the start of spring and the end of fall, have a certified arborist come to inspect the health of your trees. They will check for any signs of disease or dead branches to remove for the tree to have the longest lifespan possible. Doing so also guarantees that these problems don’t escalate, which can compromise the integrity of the plant and possibly cause injury or damage to you or your home.

2. Check for Insects and Disease

In the summer months, insects like to camp out and munch on your trees. While the occasional bug is natural, keep an eye out for swarms or excessive insects parked in its branches. If not kept in check, they can kill your trees.

3. Prune Trees

When an arborist notes diseased or dead branches, have them pruned by a tree removal service immediately. Dead branch removal helps the tree flourish with growth, and it eliminates the risk of dangerous falling branches. 

4. Trim Wayward Foliage

Trimming hazardous branches, even if they’re healthy, is an important responsibility for your own safety and the safety of your neighbors. Trees have a mind of their own when they grow, sometimes hovering over your roof or venturing towards hazards like electrical wires. In inclement weather, one strike of lightning or one strong gust of wind will take down your power lines or put a hole in your roof. Even worse, if a tree falls on your car in a storm, your homeowners insurance won’t cover the damage. Check your automobile insurance policy.

5. Resort to Tree Removal 

Tree removal is expensive, but sometimes, if a tree is too diseased or overgrown, it is the only way to assure that it won’t come crashing down on your house. Heed the recommendation of your arborist, and hire a reputable tree removal service to complete the task. Prepare for this investment—between $2000 and $5000 usually—but also make the necessary precautions listed above so you don’t have to resort to this last effort. 

By following these suggestions, you may be able to avoid damages that could result in a large insurance claim. For more information on protecting your property, get in touch with the team at Farmers Mutual of Tennessee. Since 1913, they have provided quality insurance coverage at an affordable price to residents throughout the state of Tennessee. Their local independent agent will be happy to help you find the right coverage for your home, mobile home, rental dwelling, or farm at a price that suits your budget. Give Farmers Mutual of Tennessee a call today at (800) 824-9555, and visit them online for more information.