Issue: 95 June 5, 2004 Education

Old man Hilton has been so busy he hasn't had time to send out newsletters. Finally, here I am. Missed me didn't you? Today is June 5th, 2004 and 60 years ago today I was raining on the largest invasion force in history gathered on the cost of Great Britain. Old Ike Eisenhower knew me well. I came close to stopping the invasion of Europe. Aren't I a little devil? Hitler was convinced I could stop Ike's invasion, took a sleeping pill and went to bed, boy was he surprised. Not one to play favorites, I let up just long enough for Ike's troops to get on the beaches and then Windy Windstorm and I hit the coast of France with everything we had. We made a major mess ripping up the harbors Ike's boys had just built. Old Ike's boys still marched across Europe and gave old Hitler what he deserved. Last weekend they finally got around to dedicating a monument in Washington to those boys, of the "Greatest Generation," who did their job, in spite of the efforts of my friends and I to make their lives miserable. You thought Hilton was slow, how long does it take to build a memorial? Its not soon enough in my book. So much for reminiscing, lets get on to the issue at hand, TREES. 

I love trees. Hilton enjoys sitting on his front porch, or rear deck, and watching the wind rustle through the leaves. The only thing more relaxing might be sitting on the beach, watching the waves role in. As I said last time when I fall from the sky and miss the fast moving jet to Vegas (another story for another time) the first thing I usually encounter is a tree. Now if I really want a little excitement I bring Windy along. I soften up the ground as Windy pushes that tree through the middle of your house. 

Oh, what fun. A few years ago in the Ardmore section of Winston-Salem, Hilton, his crews, and volunteers, had to clean up the mess afterwards. First they had to cut paths through the streets for emergency vehicles then they started on the houses. I recall one small cottage with a huge Oak through the middle of it. All that was left standing were the side walls. That Windy is one tough lady. Then there was that two story house where a stately Oak cut a path though the roof, through the second floor, four poster master bed, through the first floor children's bedroom, into the basement, literally knocking the house sideways, and off of its foundation. One of Hilton's guys ended up following the path of the tree from the roof onto the basement floor below. After an extended stay in the hospital he improved. 

Tree's, they are wonderful, until Windy and I drop one on your head. Are you aware that several people have been killed on Stratford Road in Winston-Salem when trees have fallen on their cars? The fortunate thing about the storm that night was that, though Windy and I had a busy night, not one person was injured even though 150 homes were damaged by trees. Such was not for lack of trying on our part. 

Are trees part of a home inspection? I can see the look on the Realtor's face now. Why is he talking about that tree? What does a tree have to do with the sell of this home? I really hate to spoil your day, but you had better read the North Carolina Home Inspectors Licensure Board Standards of Practice. Lets look at it:

.1107 Exterior (a) The home inspector shall observe: ... (6) Vegetation ... with respect to their effect on the condition of the building. 

A tree is not "vegetation" is it? Unfortunately it is and how its location or condition may have in the past, is now, or may in the future effect the home being inspected is part of what a home inspector is required to consider. Now, be honest, if some home inspector inspected your home and a few weeks later it was damaged by the beautiful tree in the rear yard, would you question this requirement? 

Lets take a little time and consider how that tree in your yard might have an effect on your home. 

1. The Trees
   There recently was an issue with a very expensive newer home, in one of the most popular areas of Winston-Salem, built by a recognized "good" builder, was found to have one of the main support piers in the crawl space sitting on top of a major tree stump. Now that is really too close for comfort. Imagine what will happen as the stump rots? Do you think a tree inside of your home is a good thing? I don't think so. This buyer wasn't too happy with it either. Can you imagine the expense of removing a huge tree stump, by hand, from the crawl space of a finished home, while holding the home up above the pit excavation? You don't want to know.
   
   Then there was the home in High Point. The newer addition had a tree stump, large enough to park a Mini Cooper on, adjacent to the rear corner. You could stand on the tree stump and lean against the corner of the home. The tree was gone, but the root system of the tree had raised the corner of the home inches which would indicate the tree was cut down after the addition was constructed. Hilton still has night mares about that one. Now the reverse will occur as the tree stump and root system rots, and, the movement will go in the other direction. How do you remove this stump, its root system and not damage the home, and protect the home from future movement? 
   
   What issue relative to location of trees might have an effect on your home?
   1. The root system of the tree could damage the footings, drainage systems and foundation walls leading to cracks, leaks and even collapse. 
   2. Trees located near site retaining walls can quite literally crack and push the wall down with the growth of their root system. 
   3. Tree root systems can damage walkways, patios and driveways. Hilton has seen driveway damage so extreme that the average car couldn't be driven over it. You would need a Hummer, just to park in the garage. Sounds like a good excuse to buy one to me, just leave that tree root hump in place, it adds character to the home, and, I really wanted a Hummer anyway. 
   4. Tree limbs can break windows, damage siding, eaves, gutters, and roofs. One time, one of Hiltons daughters kept saying that someone was trying to get in her window at night. He, being the astute and caring father that he is, simply laughed and told her it was her imagination. Then one night, he was home alone during a storm, and, kept hearing this strange noise. With chill bumps, hair standing on end, and  one of those huge mag-lights he carefully entered his daughters room and couldn't find a thing. Being the brave soul that he is, he grabbed a big umbrella and headed outside with the mag-light for vision, not to mention protection. There it was, a huge bush rubbing against the wall and the window. As Pam say's, when is he going to start practicing what he preaches?
   5. Tree shading roofs can lead to the growth of fungus leading to the early deterioration of the roofing. Some roofs look like gardens ready to sprout flowers. 
   6. A tree over hanging a chimney could catch fire from very common chimney fires, drop embers on the roof and burn the house to the ground. Now, wouldn't that just make your day?
   7. Oh, about to forget, ever hear of lightning? When Hilton was young his grandparents lived next door. During a major thunder boomer, he heard what sounded like an explosion and saw a fireball at the home next door. Running through the rain he could smell the burning and see the tree next to the house split down the middle. On entering the basement the main electrical distribution panel was blown off the wall, and on fire. Fire and sparks were flying from the electrical wall outlets. Some one called the fire department as he grabbed a fire extinguisher and tried to control the fires. When he thought he had it under control, he went to the first floor kitchen to observe fire blazing from behind the refrigerator. Luckily, by that time the fire department arrived and began to get things under control. The lightning damaged the electrical system through out the home, but, power continued to run through the system, causing fires all over the home. The fire department could not control the fires until the electricity serving the home was turned off. 
2. Its Condition:
   1. A diseased or old tree can fall on the home causing damage beyond your imagination, not to mention endanger your very health and life. That limb could also fall on you, your spouse, children, grandchildren, or visitors. A planned fall on in-laws however could be judged to be an acceptable risk, especially if they have overstayed their welcome.
   2. Diseased, dead, or damaged tree limbs fall on homes, piercing roofs leading to major water damage. Hilton inspected a new construction and observed that the very ornate master bathroom had signs of major repair. Looking closer he observed moisture stains on the drywall and carpet. This waves major red flags in new construction. Something really bad had occurred in this bathroom. Looking in the attic he found a softball size hole in the roof patched over with a piece of sheet metal. A tree limb had fallen through the roof causing all of the damage, and was still in the attic where the builder had pulled it through. This astute builder had half heartedly covered the hole, in an attempt to hide the damage, and, hadn't even repaired the roof. Just one more good reason to ignore inspection on new construction, don't you think? 

Ideally, no tree of any consequence should be located within falling distance of your home, that would be about 150 feet. Yeah, you know you are going to do that. Hilton couldn't sit and enjoy the wind through the leaves, they would be too far away. We are going to have trees close to our homes. However, they shouldn't overhang the home or touch the home and they must be healthy. Trees overhanging and touching the home should be kept trimmed back. The key word here is KEPT. Damaged trees should be pruned or removed no mater how much you love them. Just remember how much you paid for your home, and how much you value your life and good health, and pay attention to those trees. Your home inspector should as well, so stop giving him that nasty look when the location and condition of trees is part of his report. 

Don't forget, Windy and I can wreak havoc on your home, pay attention, and be prepared, by taking care of your trees. Remember this:

Dead trees are vulnerable to insect damage and decay, and they are a potential safety hazard when they fall, especially if they are located near the residence. In the fall and winter months, it is somewhat difficult to determine whether a tree is dead or has dead branches. However, if you see limbs with bark peeling off, you can assume that these branches are dead and should be removed. Depending upon the size and location of the tree, its removal can be costly. A professional who is skilled, and insured, should perform this type work. In addition to dead branches, all limbs that are overhanging or resting on a roof should be pruned back. These branches, especially in periods of high wind or when covered with snow or ice, can damage the roofing surface. Remember, hospital stays are not fun, not to mention convalescing after that fall; leave the tree trimming to the guys who know what they are doing ,and stay out of that tree. Spending a little of your old rusty money is much cheaper that the pain. 

Thoughts for the week...

Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

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