Living Under Big Trees: Maintenance for Forested Coquitlam and North Van Lots
A home tucked among tall trees, common on Coquitlam's Burke Mountain and Westwood Plateau, across the forested North Shore, and in leafy pockets throughout the region, is a beautiful place to live and a demanding one for the exterior. Heavy tree cover changes what the roof, gutters and outdoor surfaces need. Here is what living under big trees means for upkeep.
What trees do to a home
Big trees, especially the conifers so common here, affect a home in several ways at once. They shed needles and debris year-round that fill gutters and mat on roofs, they drop organic matter and sap onto surfaces, and they keep the property shaded and damp, which accelerates moss and algae on roofs, walls, decks and walkways. A forested lot effectively turns everything the region's climate does up a notch.
So a home under big trees fouls faster and needs more frequent attention than an open lot, particularly its gutters and roof.
The maintenance that matters most
Gutters are the front line: under conifers they need clearing two to three times a year, since needles fall continuously and plug the downspouts, and gutter guards are especially worth considering to reduce the frequent access. The roof needs regular soft washing to keep moss, fed by shade and debris, from taking hold and shortening its life. And the decks, walkways and shaded concrete grow slick and need cleaning to stay safe.
Keeping branches trimmed back from the roof and gutters where possible reduces the debris and shade, which slows everything down.
A forested-lot rhythm
The realistic approach for a home under heavy tree cover is a more frequent, proactive maintenance rhythm than an open lot needs: gutters cleared more often, the roof soft washed and kept ahead of moss, and the decks and walkways cleaned to stay safe. It is simply the trade for living among the trees, and it is far cheaper than the roof and water damage that neglect brings on a heavily shaded, debris-laden property.
Because forested lots vary in how enclosed they are, the right schedule is best judged for the specific property. A local company that knows these conditions can recommend a sensible rhythm.