Trees Overhanging Your Roof: What Should You Do Before Winter?

As autumn gets properly underway, falling leaves have a habit of highlighting just how close some of our trees are to our homes.

Branches that seemed harmless during summer can suddenly be dropping leaves into gutters, brushing against roofs or hanging over conservatories, driveways and other parts of the property.

But does a tree overhanging your roof actually need cutting back?

Not necessarily.

A tree growing close to your home isn't automatically a problem. The important thing is to look at the condition of the tree and branches, the clearance from the property and whether there's a genuine reason for work to be carried out.

Are branches overhanging a roof dangerous?

Simply being above a roof doesn't make a branch dangerous.

Healthy trees naturally move in the wind, and plenty of trees grow close to properties without causing problems.

However, branches that are dead, damaged, cracked or poorly attached may warrant attention, particularly where they're positioned above a house, garage, conservatory or another frequently used area.

The size of the branch matters too. A small twig touching a gutter is very different from a substantial limb extending over the roof.

If you're concerned about a large branch, it's worth having the tree assessed rather than assuming it needs to be removed.

Look for dead or damaged branches

As deciduous trees lose their leaves, their branch structure becomes much easier to see.

This makes autumn a useful time to look for deadwood, broken branches, splits or previous damage that may have been hidden by a full summer canopy.

Pay particular attention to anything directly above the property.

Dead branches can become brittle over time and may eventually fail, particularly during periods of stronger wind.

Appropriate deadwooding or pruning can often address a specific concern without unnecessarily reducing the entire tree.

What if branches are touching the roof?

Branches repeatedly rubbing against a roof, guttering or another part of the building may be worth addressing.

As the tree moves naturally in the wind, contact can potentially damage gutters, roofing materials or the branches themselves.

In these circumstances, selective pruning may be used to create appropriate clearance between the tree and the property.

That doesn't necessarily mean heavily cutting the tree back.

Good pruning should consider the natural shape and health of the tree as well as the clearance required.

Don't forget the gutters

One of the most obvious autumn problems with trees close to a house isn't the tree itself — it's the leaves.

Falling leaves can quickly collect in gutters and downpipes. If these become blocked, rainwater may overflow rather than drain away as intended.

With wetter weather on the way, autumn is a sensible time to check and clear gutters, particularly if you have mature deciduous trees close to the property.

But don't attempt to access high roofs or gutters where it isn't safe to do so. Use an appropriate professional where necessary.

Should I cut back every branch above my house?

No.

There's no need to remove healthy branches simply because they're growing above part of your property.

Unnecessary or excessive pruning can damage the appearance of a tree, create large wounds and encourage unwanted regrowth.

Instead, tree work should have a clear purpose.

That could be to remove deadwood, create appropriate clearance, address a damaged branch or manage a genuine structural concern.

The aim isn't to create the biggest possible gap between your house and the tree.

What about the roots?

A tree growing close to a property often raises concerns about roots as well as branches.

But proximity alone doesn't mean the roots are damaging your home.

Tree-related damage to buildings is a more complex subject involving factors such as the tree species, soil type, foundations, moisture and distance from the property.

If you have concerns about cracking or possible subsidence, this needs appropriate professional investigation rather than assuming the nearest tree is responsible.

What if it's my neighbour's tree?

If branches from a neighbour's tree extend across your boundary, there are circumstances where you can generally cut them back to the boundary, but there are important limitations.

You shouldn't enter your neighbour's property without permission, and you need to consider whether the tree is protected before carrying out work.

Wildlife legislation still applies too.

For larger trees, it's sensible to speak to your neighbour and seek professional advice before arranging significant pruning.

Is the tree protected?

Before pruning a tree, check whether it's subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or located within a Conservation Area.

Consent or notification may be required before work takes place.

The fact that branches are growing over a roof or boundary doesn't automatically override these protections.

What about nesting birds?

It's also important not to assume that autumn means wildlife checks are no longer necessary.

Wild birds, their active nests and eggs are legally protected. Trees and hedges should therefore be checked before work begins regardless of the time of year.

Autumn is a good time to take a look

With leaves falling and winter weather approaching, October is a useful time to stand back and look at trees growing close to your home.

Ask yourself:

Are there dead or damaged branches?
Are substantial branches touching the building?
Has anything noticeably changed?
Are gutters becoming repeatedly blocked?
Is there anything you're concerned about before winter?

You don't need to diagnose the tree yourself.

If something doesn't look right, getting it checked can help establish whether any work is actually necessary.

Got a tree growing close to your home?

Tall Tree Services provides professional tree pruning and tree surgery throughout Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, Cirencester, the Cotswolds, Tewkesbury, Malvern, Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye.

Our NPTC-qualified arborists can assess trees growing close to buildings and recommend appropriate work, from deadwooding and selective pruning to crown reductions or removals where necessary.

Get in touch with Tall Tree Services for a free quote.