When Shirley gutters fill up
Trees common in the region drop heavy debris into roof channels throughout the changing seasons. Broadleaf sugar maple, red maple, American beech, white birch, and northern red oak scatter leaves and acorns, while eastern white pine and eastern hemlock drop sharp pine needles. Maple seed wings fall during spring, and leaf drop usually peaks in early October. Winter brings freezing nights, snow, and ice dams in gutters when flow is blocked. We recommend cleaning at least twice a year, spring and fall, to prevent winter ice accumulation and summer water damage. Timely gutter cleaning keeps seasonal debris from packing tightly into downspouts before cold weather sets in across Massachusetts.