We recently had a serious issue where the top of a 100 ft Douglas fir came crashing through our roof and landed inside our house. These trees were topped about 30 years ago, and now they have weak points where the cuts were made. On top of getting the trees trimmed, we started thinking about other protection measures. I came up with the idea of laying down plywood in the attic above the bedrooms to add an extra layer of safety while we sleep. This way, anything that falls would have to make it through the roof and then a layer of plywood before reaching us. Covering just the area above our beds doesn't seem like it would add too much weight. What do you think? Any concerns or suggestions? I'm only concerned about smaller branches falling, not entire trees. The one that fell was about 15 ft long and 8 in in diameter, which has us worried. I know a whole tree would crush anything, but what about the limbs?
3 Answers
Honestly, a layer of plywood isn't going to stop a branch falling from a height. Those things can pack a lot of force when they hit. It's probably better to focus on pruning or even taking down some of those trees if they're a hazard. Maybe look into planting some smaller trees further from your house that can still provide shade without the risk of falling on the roof.
Removing tall trees close to the house seems like the best solution. Here in the PNW, I've seen how quickly the ground can get soaked and cause trees to fall; I'd be wary of having any larger trees nearby. It might be a good idea to get an arborist involved, especially since you have those Doug firs on your property.
I totally get your concern! However, layers of plywood won't really do much against larger limbs or falling logs. You should think about contacting an engineer to assess the risk and give you some professional advice. It might be worth the investment for your peace of mind.