One of the owners recently used the Contact Us form on this website to ask a great question. She asked:
What is the board’s position on “why” shrubs need to be trimmed below the window sill?
She is referring to the rule we discussed in the previous post about vining plants. However, in this case, the question is asking why these trees & shrubs must be trimmed as stated below:
TREES & SHRUBS: Trees and shrubs have to be kept trimmed year-round. Shrubs cannot be above the window sills and must be at least 18” below the soffits. Trees must be trimmed so that they do not hang over the roof or interfere with the passage of vehicles on the streets. Vining plants are prohibited from growing on the brick as this damages the mortar between the bricks. (Updated 9/21/2021)
— Current Northland House Rules
A Year-Round Task
First of all, please notice that these plants must be maintained and trimmed year-round, not just once at the beginning of summer or after receiving a writeup about them. You may receive a notice about trimming shrubs or trees at any time of the year and more than once if the growth continues.
About Those Shrubs
Many of us have shrubs or bushes in our 4-foot space. Boxwoods, butterfly bushes, arborvitae, hydrangeas, rose of Sharon bushes, roses, rhododendrons, azaleas, and many more varieties adorn the yards here at Northland.
They grow at different rates; some require more tending than others. Trimming, dead-heading, and pruning help these plants stay healthy and look beautiful. But why do we have rules about their heights?
In Front of the Windows
Shrubs are to be kept at or below the window sills at all times. The appearance of our community matters. Some basic uniformity helps all of the buildings look neat and cared for. As the condo owner above stated in her request, this rule provides “consistency in the neighborhood. Shrubs stay green all year round, adding to the beauty.”
The second reason has to do with weather damage. If plants or shrubs are too high above the window sill, moisture can become a problem. Heat and sunlight cannot reach the bottom of the window frames (behind the bricks), which are made of wood. That area can become rotted from water damage. Mold could grow behind the wood, even so far as getting into your drywall. This can become expensive to repair. Keeping shrubs at or below the sill gives the air and sun a chance to dry out any moisture.
Around the Rest of the Buildings
We also have a rule about the height of bushes where there are no windows. All plants must be at least 18 inches from the nearest soffit (roof line). Tall plants could grow into and under the soffits, gutters, and even roof tiles if they get out of hand. Again, the result could be rot, mold, or insect infestations.
Please understand that the Board needs your help to maintain the structures of the condos. Regular maintenance keeps our community looking appealing while ensuring our buildings are safe and sound.
For tips on pruning your plants and shrubs, check out this website: https://www.greengoldlandscapinginc.com/what-is-pruning-why-is-it-important/
If you need help with your exterior maintenance, please contact the Board. We have the names of some reputable and reasonably priced workers whom you can hire to take care of these issues.
