Not always. Branches over a house may be worth removing or shortening if they’re dead, damaged, rubbing the roof or siding, or hanging low over the roof, but a healthy branch that’s well clear of the house may be fine to leave in place.
The decision depends on the branch’s condition, how close it is to the house and what could happen if it failed. A thoughtful look often shows that only some branches need attention.
When Removal May Make Sense
Dead branches over the roof are usually a priority. They don’t recover and can fall as they decay.
Branches that rub against shingles, gutters or siding can wear down surfaces over time. Low limbs resting on the roof can also hold moisture and debris in place.
Cracked, split or broken branches over the house are another concern, since they may be more likely to fail during wind or ice. These don’t always fail, but they may warrant a closer look.
When a Branch Can Stay
A healthy branch with good clearance above the roof may pose little concern. Many homes sit comfortably under large, well-structured trees that provide shade and cooling.
Removing healthy branches without a reason can stress the tree and change its balance. Taking out many large limbs from one side can even create new problems.
Leaves and twigs from overhanging branches can also fill gutters. That alone usually isn’t a reason to remove healthy limbs, but it may be one factor when deciding how much clearance you want.
Options Besides Full Removal
Sometimes shortening a branch back to a suitable side branch is enough to create clearance without removing the whole limb. For trees crowding the house on several sides, broader tree trimming may be a better fit than removing branches one by one.
If you’re worried about the whole tree rather than a few branches, such as a lean toward the house or cracks in the trunk, a closer assessment of the tree may be more useful than branch work alone.
Safety Around the House
Branches over a roof are among the trickiest to remove. They often need to be cut in pieces and lowered carefully so they don’t damage the roof, gutters or windows.
That work should be left to trained crews. Homeowners shouldn’t climb onto the roof or use ladders to cut overhead branches. If a branch is near a power line serving the house, stay clear and contact your utility.
Removing branches over a house doesn’t make the tree risk-free, but it can deal with the specific concerns in front of you. You can read more about removing individual branches and when it may help.
It can help to look at the tree from several angles, including from the street and the backyard. Branches that seem close from one spot may have more clearance than they appear.
Not sure which branches over your Joplin home should come off and which can stay? A local tree service can look at them and help you decide.
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