Lekki is known for its beautiful residential estates and rapid development. One of the features that makes a Lekki compound truly feel like home is the greenery—that grand mango tree providing shade for your car, or the towering palm giving your backyard a tropical resort feel.
However, in our humid tropical climate, trees grow fast. What was once a charming sapling can quickly become a towering giant, posing risks to your property and family. The line between a beautiful landscape asset and a dangerous liability is often crossed unexpectedly.
Maintaining trees isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about safety and structural integrity. But how do you know when a tree has outgrown its welcome or just needs a good haircut?
At Neatscape, we specialize in professional compound maintenance across Lekki. We’ve seen firsthand the damage neglected trees can cause. Here are the top 7 signs it’s time to call in the professionals to trim or remove that overgrown tree in your compound.
1. The Tree is Touching Your House or Fence
This is the most obvious sign. If tree branches are brushing against your roof, siding, or windows, they need to be trimmed back immediately. In Lekki’s windy coastal environment, the constant rubbing can damage roof tiles, scratch paint, and ruin gutters.
Furthermore, branches touching your house act as a highway for pests—rats, snakes, and insects—to easily access your home from the canopy. A “safe zone” of at least several feet should always be maintained between vegetation and your structure.
2. Interference with Power Lines and Utilities
This is a critical safety issue in Lagos. If your tree branches are growing into, over, or dangerously close to NEPA cables or your compound’s electric fence wiring, do not attempt to handle it yourself.
Trees conduct electricity. Wet branches touching live wires during the rainy season can cause power outages, electrical fires, or severe injury. This requires specialized, cautious trimming by professionals who understand the risks.
3. Visible Deadwood, Decay, and Fungus
Take a close look at the tree’s trunk and major branches. Do you see large, dead branches with no leaves? Are there visible cavities or cracks in the trunk? Is there fungus or mushrooms growing at the base of the tree?
These are major red flags indicating internal rot or disease. Dead branches (often called “widowmakers”) can fall without warning on a calm day, damaging cars or injuring people below. If more than 30-50% of the tree looks dead or damaged, removal might be the safer option than trimming.
4. Root Damage to Compound Flooring and Walls
Sometimes the problem isn’t what’s above ground, but what’s below. Large trees have powerful, extensive root systems seeking water. In many Lekki compounds, these roots can uplift interlocking tiles, crack concrete driveways, and compromise the structural integrity of your perimeter fence.
If you notice the ground swelling near the tree base or cracks forming in nearby structures, the roots are likely the culprit. Neatscape can assess if root pruning is viable or if the tree needs removal to save your infrastructure.
5. The Sudden “Lean”
Some trees naturally grow at an angle. However, if a previously straight tree suddenly develops a significant lean, it indicates instability in the root system—perhaps due to Lekki’s sandy soil shifting during heavy rains.
A sudden lean is an emergency. The tree could topple at any moment, especially during the next squall. It requires immediate professional assessment.
6. The Canopy is Too Dense (No Light or Airflow)
A healthy tree should allow some sunlight and wind to pass through its canopy. If your tree is so dense that the grass beneath it is dying, and it feels dark and damp underneath, it needs thinning.
A canopy that is too thick acts like a sail during high winds, increasing the chance of the tree blowing over. Strategic trimming (“thinning”) reduces wind resistance and improves the overall health of your garden by allowing light in.
7. Storm Damage Hangers
Lagos rainy season storms can be intense. After a heavy rain, inspect your large trees. Are there broken branches that haven’t fallen to the ground yet, but are hanging loosely in the canopy?
These “hangers” are extremely dangerous. They are waiting for the next gust of wind or gravity to bring them down onto whatever is below. They need professional removal immediately.
The Neatscape Solution: Professional Care for Lekki Homes
Identifying these signs is the first step, but addressing them requires expertise. Tree trimming and removal are hazardous tasks that require proper equipment, safety protocols, and knowledge of tree biology.
This is where Neatscape comes in.
We are focused on serving the unique needs of Lekki homeowners. We don’t just hack away at trees; we provide professional arboricultural services designed to protect your property and enhance its beauty.
Why choose Neatscape for your tree services?
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Safety First: We use the right harnesses, ropes, and cutting equipment to ensure the job is done without risk to your home or our team.
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Expert Assessment: We will honestly tell you if a tree can be saved with a corrective trim or if removal is necessary for safety.
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Complete Clean-Up: We don’t leave a mess behind. We handle the removal and disposal of all branches and logs, leaving your compound neat.
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Local Knowledge: We understand the local soil conditions and tree species common to the Lekki peninsula.
Don’t wait for the next storm to reveal a weakness in your trees.
If you’ve spotted any of these 7 signs in your compound, contact Neatscape today for a consultation. Let us help you keep your Lekki home safe, neat, and beautiful.
