Kanetix Forum

There are several large, old trees on my property. I've heard it's possible to increase my home value if I take special care of them. Is this a myth? Does this include some type of special insurance? Please give me some more information.

Landscaping is one of many factors in assessing a home¿s resale value. It makes sense that trees that are healthy and well maintained would affect your resale value differently than trees that are diseased and neglected. It is best to talk to someone in the business of assessing home values to determine how your particular trees will be viewed.

I was unable to locate information regarding a special insurance policy that can be purchased specifically for trees. They can however be covered as part of your homeowner¿s insurance policy. On the Insurance Bureau of Canada website I found the following Q&A that provides some interesting insight:

"Will home insurance replace trees and landscaping damaged by weather? Yes, depending on your policy. To repair damage to trees and landscaping, most home policies will allow you to apply up to 5% of the amount of insurance on your dwelling."

An arborist can help you maintain your trees and shrubs. They¿ll help keep everything healthy and advise you when your trees are not; giving you an opportunity to address the problem before any problems arise that may result in an insurance claim.