Why you should think twice before parking under a tree

BERLIN: It might seem like the dream spot to park your car when you find it, but when you come back a few days later, your windscreen and bonnet are covered in twigs, leaves and other strange gunk.

Parking under a tree can prevent you from returning to an overheated car in the short term by keeping it in the shade on sunny days.

And yet in the long term, trees will often leave an unwelcome mark on your car. Even worse, a heavy loose branch can cause serious damage during windy weather.

If you do leave your car under a tree for a longer period, car inspection experts say it's worth taking a quick look under the bonnet, especially if you notice the tree has been shedding leaves and twigs.

That's because any petals, leaves or pollen that gets into the nooks and crannies of the engine will only end up blocking drain holes and causing rust - in other words car cancer.