Leaves and needles that clog local gutters
Trees common across this region drop a mix of organic matter into open gutters throughout the year. Broadleaf species such as white oak, hickory, tulip poplar, sweetgum, and red maple shed heavy leaf piles every fall, while sweetgum trees also drop spiky seed balls. Conifers like loblolly pine and eastern red cedar drop fine pine needles and slender twigs. In spring, heavy yellow pollen coats roof surfaces and washes down into open channels, forming thick paste when mixed with rainwater. Pine needles slip past basic guards, binding with fallen leaves and acorns to form dense blockages that stop flow down to the downspout.