Tree Trimming Increases Home Value

 

Home values in Portland continue to grow at rapid rates, with no sign of slowing down. Portland houses are currently some of the most valuable in the country, which makes this a great time to think about selling your home. For most people, their home is the biggest asset they have, and you will want to do everything you can to maximize its value on the market. One of the most important ways you can do this is by improving your home’s curb appeal.

What is curb appeal?

Simply put, curb appeal is the attractiveness of your property when viewed from the outside. For potential buyers, the exterior of the home will be the first thing they see, either online or in person. If they find themselves intrigued, they’ll stop by and view the rest of the property. Curb appeal is also a significant factor in the value of the home itself during a sale. That’s why, in order to make sure you get the maximum return on your investment, you should make sure your home is at its most presentable. This means careful cleaning, touching up the paint job, and potentially fixing up the roof as well. If your home has trees on it, then it’s imperative that you keep them trimmed and well-maintained. Surveys have shown that well-cared for trees increase the value of your home, while poorly maintained ones actually drive the value down. According to recent studies, a great landscaping job can boost the value of your home up to 30 percent.

The benefits of trees

It’s hard to overstate the benefits that trees have for homeowners. Throughout the year, they improve the energy efficiency of a home by shielding it from the harsh winds during wintertime and providing much-needed shade during the summer. They also help to shield homes from busy roads, providing homeowners with peace and tranquility even as the world outside is bustling. They’ve also been found to have a positive effect on people’s moods themselves. Studies have also found that neighborhoods with well-cared for trees reported lower anxiety levels and even reduced crime rates. Dead or dying trees, on the other hand, or trees that pose a risk to nearby structures, appear unsightly and can turn away prospective buyers.

Adding trees to your property

If you are planning to hold on to your home for a few years before selling it, planting a few trees can be a worthwhile investment. Trees tend to increase in value as they mature, so planting a young tree and letting it grow for five years can cause the value of your home to appreciate measurably. Older trees can really push the value of a home upward; the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers estimate that a mature tree can increase the selling price of a property by $1,000-$10,000. Of course, if you are planning on selling your home soon, you may not have time to plant any new trees. You can still significantly increase the selling power of your home by properly trimming and maintaining the ones you have.

Proper tree care

Trees should be regularly pruned in order to stay in perfect health. The best time of year to do this depends a bit on the species of the tree, but as a general rule the late winter is best. During that time, trees are in a state of dormancy, meaning their growth is stopped temporarily to conserve energy. It is at this time that the stress trimming places on the tree will be at a minimum. Pruning during the winter will also help to prevent invasive insect species and parasitic fungal spores from entering your tree (as they are dormant too during this time). Trimming too early can also mean that new branches will have begun to grow in by wintertime, but they will still be too small and weak to survive the cold once the weather turns. Regardless of the time of year, damaged or diseased branches should be removed as soon as you see them. When removing a branch, make sure that you do not cut into the branch collar (the part where the branch connects to the tree) or you can injure the tree. Tree topping, or the removal of the tops of limbs or branches, should be avoided at all costs as it can seriously damage a tree.

Other tree trimming tips

Trees should be regularly inspected to check for any health issues or hazards to them. Dead wood in the trees should be regularly removed – in a process called crown thinning – and you should also carefully inspect for any signs of insect infestation. Regularly check the leaves to make sure they do not have any signs of disease; yellowed, shriveled leaves during the spring and summer are a strong indicator that the tree is suffering from some type of ailment. At least once a year, and before you begin making plans to sell your home, you should call a professional tree service to evaluate the health of your tree. A professional tree trimming will ensure that your tree is at its healthiest, while they can also check for any signs of disease and make recommendations for further care.