How to Prevent & Repair Damage to Your Roof from Trees

May 8, 2025

Summary

Trees beautify your property and add curb appeal, but they can also pose a risk to your health and roof if they’re planted too close to your home.
Trees can fall onto your roof in bad weather, drop leaves that block gutters, or scrape away at shingles with their branches. When trees grow too close, they can also be a vector for moss, mold, and algae.
Planting trees at least 15 to 20 feet away from your home is the best way to lower your risk for roof damage. Picking the right trees for your climate can also help because a healthy tree is a strong tree, but without proper spacing, you can still have problems.
To care for your roof and trees, prune branches, check soil health regularly, and clean out gutters often. Use slow-release fertilizers and call an arborist if you need help.
Roof Maxx helps extend the life of aging shingles by restoring flexibility and guarding against moisture damage by acting as a natural fungicide—giving your roof added protection against the everyday risks trees can bring.

Trees add curb appeal, attract wildlife, and provide shade on the hottest days of the year, but they can also be dangerous when they’re too close to your home. They can scratch away at the surface of your shingles, drop leaves and branches, or even come crashing down onto your home during a storm if they’re not planted far enough away.

Arborists will tell you that a well-cared-for healthy tree is much less likely to come down—and that’s true, but the risk is never zero. Lower your chances even further by following the tips in this guide, from planting the right species to applying Roof Maxx, which helps keep your shingles durable and contains a natural fungicide. See how it works in this 1-minute video.

Understanding the Risks

Falling trees are one of the most dramatic risks, but tree-related roof damage rarely happens in a single event like that. Instead, it builds up over time:

Falling leaves, sticks, and branches cause impact damage.
Debris blocks your gutters, causing water to overflow.
Fallen leaves and branches trap moisture on shingles.
Small branches chip away at the edge of your shingles and drip edge on windy days.
Constant friction from branches removes granules and asphalt from your shingles.

All of these issues directly contribute to chronic moisture retention. Over time, that’s a recipe for mold, wood rot, and structural damage.

Many trees are also a direct vector for fungi, algae, moss, and insect invasion. The risk for transmission is higher if they make direct contact with your roof somewhere, but spores and flying insects can float over on the breeze from dozens of feet away.

How Roof Maxx Can Help Ward off Moss & Fungi

Roof Maxx can actually help protect your aging asphalt shingle roof from the unwanted growths that sometimes creep over from nearby trees! Our soy-based roof rejuvenation treatment contains a natural fungicide that helps stop mold, moss, and mildew from infiltrating your shingles.

To be clear, Roof Maxx won’t remove existing mold or algae—but it will help inhibit it from forming in the first place. Learn more about how the treatment works here.

Roof Maxx can also help protect your roof by keeping your shingles flexible and durable. Here’s how:

Asphalt shingles contain petrochemical oils that make them flexible.
Over time, those oils dry out and shingles become brittle and weak.
Roof Maxx makes them flexible again by re-infusing them with plant-based oils.

Planting and Spacing Trees With Roof Safety in Mind

The best way to lower your risk for roof damage is to plant all trees at least 15 to 20 feet away from your home. This gives the roots and canopy plenty of room to grow and mature over time without damaging your roof or sewer lines.

Picking a species that thrives in your climate and cultivating it responsibly will also help because a healthy tree is a stronger tree. Good growing conditions make it easier for the tree to fight off the kind of disease, rot, and weakness that leads to dropped limbs and sudden failures.

To find an ideal species, start by identifying your growing zone on the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Map. Look for zone-specific trees with a long lifespan, deep roots, and strong wood, but remember that even the most suitable trees will still cause problems if they’re planted too close.

Extreme Weather & Other X-Factors

Beyond basic climate zones, you also need to factor in extreme cold snaps, heat waves, high winds, heavy rain, and natural vulnerabilities that make roof damage more likely. Some species aren’t built to handle environmental stressors like these or are well-known for damaging roofs, even if they’re native.

For example:

Southern Magnolia will die off if regularly exposed to temperatures under 20F.
Silver Maple grows fast, but the wood itself is very brittle and prone to snapping.
Bradford Pears look beautiful, but they’re weak enough to split during most storms.
Water Oak is also weak and has a relatively short lifespan, raising the risk for rot.
Leyland Cypress trees can blow over in high winds and are susceptible to disease.
Queen Palms have a very weak trunk structure that can snap in high winds.
Ficus trees grow too well—their roots can damage your plumbing and foundation.

There will be cases where crossover happens. For example, Southern Magnolia thrives in warmer climates below zone 7 and is very popular with homeowners, but it will still drop leaves and blossoms onto your roof and clog up your gutters if it’s planted too close.

Are Evergreens the Answer?

Yes… and no. They hold onto their needles, which are really just very small leaves, all year long—that means less seasonal fall-out to clog up your gutters and draw moisture to your shingles. So, compared to deciduous trees that shed heavily every fall, evergreens can help reduce debris and moisture retention.

But evergreens can still shed needles, cones, and small branches if they aren’t suitable for your climate or cared for properly. More importantly, most grow large enough to pose a serious threat if they’re planted very close to your home. Plant them at least 20+ feet away.

Roof & Tree Care: Problems and Solutions

Taking care of the trees around your home is one of the easiest ways to prevent roof damage. Healthy, well-maintained trees are far less likely to drop heavy limbs, clog your gutters, or collapse during storms.

Always make sure your trees are planted at the correct depth in the right soil. You can find specifics for most trees online, but contact a local nursery if you aren’t sure.
Healthy soil is like healthy eating for your trees. Use slow-release fertilizers to feed them and check for soil compaction twice a year.
Trim back overhanging branches and thin out crowded canopies at least once a year to prevent weak, heavy limbs. This won’t hurt the tree—and may actually save it!
Check your roof and gutters for fall-out, like leaves, needles, and branches, in the spring and fall as well as after every storm.
Keep a close eye on trees for signs of disease, like dead wood, leaning trunks, and peeling or cracking bark. Sometimes, an early intervention is enough to cure them.
Never skip roof maintenance. Schedule an inspection at least once a year and have any problems fixed right away so they don’t become worse. Get more roof care tips here.

When in doubt, call a certified arborist—they’re an incredible source of guidance. A good arborist can give you advice, recommend treatments, help you trim back trees, or just help you decide when it’s time to give your tree an honorable but fitting end for safety reasons.

Make Roof Maxx a Part of Your Roof Care Strategy

Roof care and tree maintenance have this much in common: an ounce of prevention is typically worth far more than a pound of cure. By taking care of your roof, following planting guidelines, and keeping trees healthy, you lower the risk for everything to come crashing down—both literally and financially.

Being proactive like this is the best way to save money. But if your asphalt shingle roof is starting to show signs of age, it’s time to step up your strategy!

Roof Maxx helps rejuvenate asphalt shingles, shoring up the integrity of your entire roofing system and extending the life of your roof by up to 5 years or more. Connect with your closest dealer now to get a free, no-obligation quote.