When you can park under a tree or in the sun, you might be tempted to take the spot under a shady tree, especially on a hot, sunny day. However, parking your car under a tree can cause more significant problems than a hot interior, which should be avoided when possible. You shouldn’t park under a tree for many reasons, including the four important reasons mentioned below.
1- Falling Branches and Tree Debris Can Damage the Car Body
A big tree provides lots of shade, but the branches that allow underneath to be cool and shady can also cause significant damage to a car. It doesn’t always have to be windy for a tree branch to fall on a car beneath it suddenly. Tree disease, animals, or the weather can create the perfect circumstance for a tree branch to fall, and if your car is parked underneath it, you’ll likely have damage that needs to be taken care of.
2- Pine Needles and Leaves Get Into a Car’s Nooks and Crannies
Where there are trees, there are leaves, pine needles, and other debris that will also fall on a car if parked underneath it. It doesn’t seem like a big deal until you think about all the tiny spaces and cracks on the exterior and interior of a vehicle. For instance, pine needles and leaves often work their way into a vehicle’s engine compartment. When this happens, they can clog drains and affect your vehicle’s air intake system. Eventually, these clogs can create problems and cause the vehicle to need repairs.
3- Tree Sap and Insect Fluid Can Damage a Car’s Exterior Paint
Parking under a tree is also a favorite pastime for insects. When you combine insect fluid and tree sap, you get two sticky messes that will eventually land on your vehicle’s paint job. Sap and insect fluid is gross to look at, and hard to get off. You’ll have to use the product and a bit of elbow grease to get it off. Harsh chemicals used to remove this type of mess and rubbing and cleaning vigourously can cause damage to your vehicle’s paint job. If you regularly park under trees, which is a problem you often have, you’ll likely have signs of paint problems faster than others.
4- Falling Fruit Can Scratch the Paint and Break Car Windows
Whether it’s coconuts or oranges, fruit falling from a tree can cause damage to your vehicle. Heavy fruits tend to dent vehicles or break windshields. Smaller fruits can also leave a vehicle bumped and bruised, which could cause damage to the paint if not fixed immediately. Another big problem is if the fruit opens while it falls. Then, not only do you have to deal with the damage created by the fall, but you also get the sticky mess off your vehicle before it causes damage as well.
To avoid damage to your vehicle when parking underneath a tree, it’s important to park in the sun when it’s not too hot outside. Look for cooler spots to park or consider having a residential shade structure installed on your property. On days when the sun is just too much for your comfort, you should take the time to inspect your car for any tree-related damage. Make sure to pop the hood and blow away any leaves or tree debris that made its way under the hood.
