25 Apr Your Trees are hiding a financial secret from you and your property…
Table of Contents
What's this about trees and property value?
One of the Joys of adult life is finances. Ah… As we all know and loathe (unless you’re an accountant (?)). One thing that we know for sure is stressful? Buying and selling a house. Moving house is classed as one of the most stressful life events people experience (yikes). If you are trying to get one step ahead – there’s an unbeknownst secret weapon or downfall hidden deep within your trees…
*Disclaimer* – It won’t have an impact of millions of pounds in either direction of course, before I get your hopes up! But, it’s good to know the fine details. Rather than it seeming like a lottery with property valuation, let us shed light on where you most likely stand. Although this is mostly focused for people selling, this can also be helpful for people who are looking to buy. You can keep an eye on what might be a bonus or burden once you know.
Things That Can Devalue Your Property
Before we get onto the big numbers it’s important to note – there are a few small housekeeping things you can focus your energy on that will make a big difference. The first main focus we’d advise on is tree safety. If any of your trees pose a potential risk to your property this can have a big impact on price.
You can read our article about if a tree is dangerous or not. In brief, the obvious things to look out for are if your tree is hollow and dead, if a tree is leaning over towards or above a property and any dangling big branches. And ta-da! You’ve probably already increased the value of your property.
The trees/plants listed below, however, could cause you a bit of a bigger problem. We’ll explain why.
1. Japanese Knotweed
Ok, so not exactly a tree but if you haven’t heard this common knowledge it’s important to hear! Japanese Knotweed is a weed and is incredibly invasive and hard to get rid of. It looks like bamboo when it first springs and blooms white flowers.
It can damage your property, significantly decrease the value and make it particularly tricky to get a mortgage. It can bring about legal headaches, costly weed removing and repairs for structural damage.
In essence it’s not good news and you need to strike while the iron’s hot to get it gone! Giant hogweed is also in a similar boat as Japanese knotweed.
2. Oaks and Poplars
These two types of common trees, as beautiful as they are, can cause havoc with your properties foundations; they cause subsidence which essentially is the ground sinking underneath the property.
As these trees have large root systems they tend to sprawl out and suck up water which is where this problem occurs. It’s said that if one of these are planted within 30m of your property foundations, this can decrease the value of your property.
Fun fact – Poplar trees can take up to 1,000 litres of water!
Another way it can devalue your property is if the roots bring up any patio, steps or anything similar that reduces accessibility. It can also crack and interfere with drainage pipes and break through concrete.
London & South East England Dwellers take note!
In London Oaks, poplars and spruce trees are known as super destructors as a majority of London and the south east of England has clay soils. Having a large root system sucks water from the ground, sinking the soil that buildings stand on resulting in foundations being destabilised.
If extreme and dangerous subsidence has developed the solution is underpinning, (strengthening the foundations of a building) which can leave your (or the future owners) bank account looking rather malnourished depending on the damage.
An important note mentioned by Trinity Rose: ‘If a tree is large enough or in a position to be causing problems then you really should get a professional tree surgeon to help. It’s also a good idea to get a structural engineer to check that removing the tree won’t lead to heave, when soil swells and causes structural damage.’
Super Trees that can increase the value of your Property
After reading the above hopefully you’re not fearful of your trees or perhaps you’re a bit more clued up if you’re in the other boat on what to look out for when you’re about to buy your dream home. Moving onto the positives, you might actually have a hidden treasure trove in your garden. If you have any of these trees growing in it to turn the tables around.
Listed below are the trees that can increase your property value and roughly how much by according to Tendercare from the highest.
Property boosters:
1. Chinese Magnolia (£8,500)
2. Evergreen Topiary (£1,900)
3. Flowering Cherries (£1,800 5m above)
4. Evergreen Magnolia Grandiflora (£1,500)
5. Cut Leaved Purple Japanese Maple (£1,200)
6. Chinese windmill Palm (£1,200)
7. Olive Tree (£500)
8. Weeping Birch (£300)
9. Slow Growing hedges (£200 a Metre)
All of the above can grow in the UK however some are a little more tricky to look after than others. For example, a Chinese magnolia should not be exposed to temperatures below -5 degrees.
It’s also worth noting that very mature trees can also boost your property value. If it is a mature tree that is either an Oak, Willow or Poplar you are safe if it’s far enough away from the property, however if it’s close enough to cause subsidence, it’s unlikely that it will add value sadly, but rather have the potential to detract.
It’s a good idea to get in a property surveyor to determine this as it can be a gamble if you’re trying to determine it yourself. Either way, to put you at ease trees seem to be a highlight of properties.
'homes with trees are generally preferred to comparable homes without trees, with the trend across studies being a price increase of about 7%.’
A little fun fact – If you plant a tree today on the west side of your home, in 5 years your energy bills should be 3% less. In 15 years the savings will be nearly 12%.’ Dr. E. Greg McPherson, Center for Urban Forest Research
How to nurture your value boosting trees with a tree surgeon
The notes listed above are mostly the major impactors on your property’s valuation when it comes to trees. Having a carefully looked after garden however, although it might seem like a small thing can have a bit impact. Sales persons know that presentation means a lot so there’s no reason not to put that practise into your garden/house. It could be a simple thing such as having your hedges trimmed back and shaped(if you want to get fancy), to having your trees shaped in a certain way. Just to reassure you just keeping your trees and garden neat and tidy is more than enough. If this is something you want to invest in this is where it’s a good idea to get in a tree surgeon to assess and tend to your trees to keep them healthy and flourishing.
Did you know any of this before?
Do you have any questions for our Professionals?
Drop a comment!
none
Posted at 19:29h, 25 AugustThis design is incredible! You obviously know how to
keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I
was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful
job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that,
how you presented it. Too cool!
info@MT-Trees.co.uk
Posted at 19:25h, 18 OctoberHi there,
We’re glad you’re enjoying the content we post, thank you and we hope you have a lovely day!
MT Trees Team