I always wonder if it’s worth trimming every single branch, or if that’s just nitpicking.
Honestly, I think it depends on the inspector and maybe even the mood they’re in that day. I’ve had one ding me for a single branch touching the gutter, but another barely glanced at the trees. For me, I just trim the obvious stuff—branches actually scraping the shingles or hanging right over the roof. Anything more feels like overkill, especially when you’re trying to keep costs down. As for algae, I get it every spring and just hit it with a hose. Never had an inspector say a word about it, but they always spot the loose downspout. Go figure...
I get where you're coming from about just trimming the stuff that's obviously a problem, but have you ever had issues with squirrels or raccoons? I've seen more than a few roofs where a sneaky branch was basically a bridge for critters, and they can do a surprising amount of damage before anyone notices. Not saying you need to go full-on landscaping mode, but sometimes those "harmless" branches end up costing more in the long run.
Also, about the algae—some inspectors might not say anything, but I’ve seen insurance companies use it as an excuse if there’s ever a claim. It’s weirdly inconsistent. One time I saw a guy get flagged for moss because they said it could lead to leaks, but another place didn’t care at all. Maybe it depends on the region or even the company policy.
Just makes me wonder if it’s better to be a little extra careful up front rather than risk getting dinged later. But yeah, keeping costs down is always top of mind... trimming every single twig feels like overkill most days.
Critters using branches as a highway to the roof is way more common than folks think. I’ve patched up more than one spot where squirrels chewed right through the decking—never would’ve guessed it was from a branch until we saw the little “bridge.” I get wanting to avoid over-trimming, but if a branch is close enough for a raccoon to make the leap, I’d probably take it down. As for algae and moss, yeah, it’s a total toss-up with insurance. Some adjusters barely glance at it, others act like it’s a five-alarm fire. I guess a little extra caution now can save a headache later, even if it feels nitpicky.
This thread is making me rethink my “wait and see” approach with the trees in my yard. I always figured as long as the branches weren’t scraping the shingles, I was good, but now I’m picturing a tiny squirrel highway straight to my attic. Yikes. I’ll admit, I was totally clueless about how much those little guys could do—didn’t even cross my mind until I found a stash of acorns in the gutter last fall. Guess they were planning a takeover.
Here’s what I ended up doing after my first roof inspection (and after hearing some horror stories about critters and insurance):
1. Walked around the house and looked for any branches hanging over or even near the roof—if it looked like something my dog could jump onto (she can’t jump at all), I figured a raccoon probably could.
2. Called a tree guy instead of trying to hack at it myself. Not cheap, but after seeing what a mess a friend made with a chainsaw, it felt worth it.
3. Cleaned out the gutters while I was at it—found more acorns and what might’ve been a squirrel’s attempt at a nest (or just some very confused leaves).
4. Checked for moss and algae patches. My inspector said it wasn’t bad, but he did mention that some insurance companies freak out over it. I scrubbed the worst spots with a brush and some diluted bleach, which actually worked okay, though it’s probably not what the pros would recommend.
Funny thing is, my insurance rep barely looked at any of this during their inspection… just snapped a few pics and left. Still, they knocked $120 off my annual premium after I sent in proof of the tree trimming and gutter cleaning. Maybe it’s just luck of the draw with which adjuster you get? I figure if it keeps the critters out and the bill down, I’ll keep doing it—even if it feels like overkill sometimes.
Anyone else find themselves suddenly obsessed with tree branches after buying a house, or is that just me being paranoid?
“if it looked like something my dog could jump onto (she can’t jump at all), I figured a raccoon probably could.”
That’s basically my measuring system too—if a squirrel could dream it, it’s probably happening. I used to ignore overhanging branches, but after a raccoon literally stared me down from the gutter one night, I started budgeting for a yearly trim. Not cheap, but I’d rather pay the tree guy than deal with attic squatters or insurance headaches. The discount on the premium is just a bonus.
