The Danger of Trees to Roofs
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Trees are often a source of many questions for homeowners. The questions that frequently come up are: What damage can trees cause to my building? Today, I will talk about roofs. In a future post, I will address building foundations.
It’s a perfectly natural question! After all, a roof is extremely expensive and it is the shield that protects our house from the weather.
Popular belief holds that a tree can be damaging and cause the following problems to the roof:
These statements lack nuance. Not everything is black or white. Most issues are easy to avoid with minimal maintenance. On the contrary, having trees near our roof is beneficial! Let's start by analyzing the above points and then we'll discuss the advantages.
"The tree will make my shingle rot."
This can be true if the tree is very close to your roof. People often mistakenly think that the shade created by a tree causes the roof to rot or moss to appear. In reality, it's not the shade caused by the tree that makes the roof rot. Fortunately, otherwise the roofs that are in the shade of larger buildings would all be covered with moss or be rotten. However, this is not the case.The real problem comes from the fact that the tree transpires through its leaves.
A tree that is too close to a roof would create shade and release moisture. If we combine shade, rain, and transpiration, we then have a trio that causes the roof to remain damp for too long. The number one solution is to prune the tree. Shade alone will not be enough to create excessive moisture on the roof. Roofers recommend maintaining a distance of between 6 and 10 feet between the branches and the roof. We don't need to go any further than that! This distance will ensure that the wind passes naturally, carrying away some of the moisture; the tree's transpiration will not reach the roof, and a bit more sun will dry it out.
"The tree will damage my shingles."
Yes, a tree that is less than 6 feet away may, over time and with friction, cause damage. The rubbing of branches can eventually pierce the protective layer of the roof. The solution is the same as for moisture: prune the branches to achieve a distance of 6 to 10 feet from the roof. This way, the branches will not touch the roof and will not be able to damage the shingles. However, we recommend not exceeding 10 feet in height.
Cutting branches at more than 10 feet will not offer additional protection. On the contrary, it may increase the chances of damaging the roof. The lower branches are often the biggest and strongest.

They have the advantage of acting as a safety net that will catch branches falling from above. Even if the lowest and largest branch falls, it would only be from 6 or 10 feet. It will gain little speed and be less damaging to the roof than a branch falling from 30 feet.

Moreover, a branch that breaks 30 feet up is more likely to fall like an arrow, with the wood leading and the leaves up. A branch at a height of 6 feet will not have time to rotate to arrive vertically. The leaves will hit the roof first and act like a pillow, cushioning the impact.
"The tree will clog my gutters."
Ah! That is completely true! The tree will fill your gutters with leaves, fruits, etc. Once full, the gutters will cause water to accumulate on the roof, which can seep under the shingles. The solution is maintenance and, unfortunately, it involves cleaning out the gutters. However, this will allow for an annual inspection of the roof and gutters. This problem can be resolved at a low cost, but it requires time. There are products designed to reduce the accumulation of leaves in gutters, but I am unsure how effective they are.
"The tree will allow animals to enter and climb onto my roof."
Here too, nuances are necessary. Squirrels and raccoons are often the focus when we talk about animals that enter and get on roofs. Often, these animals penetrate through the house's soffit to go make their nest.

Squirrels and raccoons are extremely agile animals. They are capable of climbing brick walls and thus can reach the roof without going through a tree. They can also use structures around the house to get there. Pruning at least 6 feet can reduce the risk of animals climbing onto the roof, but it won't completely stop them. A squirrel is capable of making a 6-foot jump to get onto the roof, but the distance makes it more difficult. Moreover, the roof itself is less attractive than a tree that protects them from predators. Additionally, if we add a visual inspection of the roof to ensure that no holes have appeared that could allow animals to slip in and nest, it will help. Of course, if the roof is full of entrances and trees are less than 6 feet away from the house, we are essentially creating a direct highway for the animals."
The Advantages
The benefits of having a tree near our roof (but more than 6 feet away) are rarely discussed. The key benefit is protection against the UV rays of the sun. Yes, one of the biggest enemies of your roof is the sun! These rays are very harsh on any material. Have you ever noticed how an object left in the sun for a long time fades? Or what about outdoor plastic chairs. Have you noticed how, over time, the sun makes the plastic brittle and prone to breaking? Imagine a roof that has to withstand the sun's rays for 20 years, uninterrupted and unprotected. The sun can reduce the lifespan of your roof, while the shade from a tree can extend it. Of course, we won't double the lifespan of the roof. Another advantage of the tree, not just for the roof, is that it can reduce its environment by 3 degrees Celsius. This can lower your air conditioning bill in the summer.
In Conclusion
You can have a house in perfect condition and a healthy tree. Both are entirely possible. Roof clearance can be done by oneself. If you are not comfortable or if you are dealing with a tree that requires more expertise, do not hesitate to contact our certified arborists.
I believe the most important word to remember from this post is: maintenance. An unmaintained tree will cause multiple problems and will not provide any benefits. A neglected roof will allow animals to slip through openings created over time. Blocked and never-cleaned gutters will also cause their share of problems.
One of my clients, who had a tree near his house, had problems with his roof. Not because of the tree, but due to a lack of insulation. Every year, he would clean his gutters so that water could flow freely. Every year, his gutters would get blocked and water would get in. The problem was with the insulation of his roof. Heat loss would melt the snow on the roof, which would then create a block of ice in the gutters.
The accumulated water would then cause problems. The client had his roof insulated and since then, he has had no more problems. This story shows that maintenance is key. A house needs to be maintained, and the same goes for its trees and land.
https://directroofing.ca/roof-damage-from-trees/ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44465587 (video of a raccoon climbing a wall)
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