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Are Fruit Trees a Good Fit for a Rental Property?

Two Norman Renters Picking Fruit Off A Tree In Their YardSomeone might have told you that having a tree or two in your Norman rental property’s landscaping can help boost your rental rate. And, indeed, there is evidence that supports this. But what is not often mentioned is that the type of tree you plant has as much to do with increasing your cash flows. Not all kinds of trees are suited for a rental situation.

Actually, the real question is whether planting fruit trees on a rental property is a good move. Since different trees grow better in different climates, it is important to consider all aspects of fruit trees in question before you decide on which type of tree is best.

The Best Trees for Rental Properties

A profitable rental property has great curb appeal. And a huge part of that curb appeal is having a beautiful, shady tree in the yard. What are the best trees for a rental property? You should be looking for one that grows well in your climate, offers shade & visual appeal, and is easy to maintain. These trees are actually not hard to find. Trees that fit the bill in many parts of the country include evergreen arborvitae, spruce, flowering dogwoods, and maple trees. Other good options for rental properties are oak and desert willow. These trees grow well, offer shade, and don’t have to be pruned annually.

The Skinny on Fruit Trees

Some Norman property managers may talk you into planting a fruit tree as an appealing feature in your rental house. Some renters do like the idea of being able to eat fruit straight from the yard. But unless your tenant has some experience in caring for and maintaining fruit trees, and has the time to properly do the job, fruit trees can become a burden instead. For a lot of renters, the required work that comes with having fruit trees is enough reason for them not to apply for a rental that has one.

If the ideal trees for rental properties are low-maintenance, that leaves fruit trees out of the list. The biggest possible reason to avoid fruit trees at a rental property is the mess and maintenance that comes with them. Fruit trees usually take years of care before they produce fruit. Some are also very sensitive to heat, cold, watering amounts, and other conditions.

Fruit trees also need proper pruning and fumigation in order to produce fruit every year. Most people do not know much about this, either. Fruit often attracts unwanted insects and rodents as well, which your tenant may not be happy dealing with. If you or your tenant will not be able to put in the time and effort required to care for fruit trees, it is probably better to avoid them altogether.

Fruit Trees in the Lease Documents

If you are willing to take the responsibility of having fruit trees on your rental property, your lease should clearly stipulate your tenant’s obligations where those trees are concerned. It is not enough to assign landscaping maintenance to your tenant; they may not realize that this includes regular pruning and clean-up after fruit trees, which is a lot of extra work. If you will not be taking care of the trees yourself, be sure that your lease documents stipulate that the tenants need to care for the trees or hire a professional to do it for them.

At Real Property Management Elevate, we work with rental property owners like you to help create beautiful, low-maintenance landscaping your tenants won’t mind keeping up. Contact us today to learn more.

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