Trees and Potential Property Damage

By Amy Brown

Trees and shrubs contribute to property value by enhancingappearance, reducing noise, cutting energy costs and blocking unsightly views.Unfortunately, trees meant to be part of a facilitys permanent landscape areoften vulnerable to damage during construction and storms. Careful planning and maintenance can help reduce propertydamage and liability claims that result form damaged and neglected trees.

Planting and Replacement

When planting trees on a new site or replacing older ones,take precautions. Planting the appropriate trees is important, so get the facts.Research how a tree will look five to 10 years down the line. Knowing what height it will reach at maturity will help youdecide where to plant.

Trees should not grow within 25 feet of a power line, due toincreased fi re hazards and the possibility of extensive damage duringwindstorms. Large trees should be planted at least 50 feet from your facility,as those not properly anchored can be knocked over or weakened by storms andtornadoes. They could subsequently fall onto buildings, causing structuraldamage and injury to tenants. Heavy limbs can break off and damage roofing andvehicles parked on site.

Check with city or state officials before planting trees onor near a public right of way, such as a street, sidewalk or parking lot. Theyshould not obstruct the visibility of traffic signals for motorists orpedestrians. They will also require routine maintenance and trimming sothey dont have protruding and low limbs that can cause injury to passers-by.You also dont want to be responsible for people having to walk around a treeand into a busy street.

Maintenance

Every year, insurance companies see thousands of dollars indamage caused by fallen or uprooted trees. Proper maintenanceand removal whennecessarycan significantly lower the risks of property damage.

Older trees should be routinely inspected for damage anddisease, especially during construction, heavy storms and floods. Constructionof a new facility, expansion of an existing one, or utility installation canweaken trees and damage limbs. Excess water from storms and flooding can cause tree roots to suffocate and rot. Consistently wetsoil may cause erosion, which could make even large trees unstable.

A tree that is sickly and shows signs of rot or decay may needto be removed if it poses a threat to the facility. Trees whosetrunks have large cavities with extensive decay should be eliminated, as thetrunk will be weak. Lopsided trees or those with excessive lean should alsoget attention. Having a tree pruned can relieve the weight on the heavier side and balance the tree top. Following are tips on how to care for and maintain trees on ornear your facility:

If a Storm Hits

If a storm does damage your trees, analyze your site andperform any necessary repairs to trees and structures. But take safety precautions when cleaning up, such as being on alert fordowned power lines and hanging branches. Always keep storage tenants away from damaged areas until they are deemed safe. Otherguidelines include:

This article was written as a guideline to aid in minimizingrisk in self-storage facilities. The information contained in thisdocument is intended to be of general interest and does not address thecircumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in thisdocument constitutes legal advice, nor does any information constitutea comprehensive or complete statement of the issues discussed orthe laws relating thereto.

Universal Insurance Facilities Ltd. offers a comprehensivepackage of coverages specifically designed to meet the needs of theselfstorage industry. For more information, or to get a quick,no-obligation quote, call 800.844.2101; e-mail [email protected]; visitwww.vpico.com/universal.