Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Athens?
- 2 Does the City of Athens Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Athens?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Athens?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Athens?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Athens?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Athens?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Athens?
Whether you have a tire swing attached or have an outdoor kitchen close by, the trees in your Athens yard are essential to the beauty of your property. There are many varieties of native and non-native trees in the area. These include:
- Longleaf Pine
- Tulip Poplar
- Bald Cypress
- Tonto Crape Myrtle
- Pink Dogwood
Some of these trees grow to impressive heights while others bloom in lovely colors to up the wow factor in your outdoor area. When a tree needs to be removed from your Athens yard, you wonder where you went wrong. Here are the most common tree issues that we see in the area:
Damage from Storms
In the spring, violent storms pop up all over the area. Some of these storms bring tornadoes that can destroy a home in minutes or pull a tree out of the ground entirely.
Even if your home isn’t the direct path of a tornado, the high winds can extend up to a mile in either direction and behind the twister for up to 50 miles. These winds can reach up to 300 mph, depending on the category of the tornado.
Another aspect of these storms that are dangerous to your trees is the thunder and lightning. A direct strike from lightning can set one of your trees ablaze, kill it, or cause massive damage to it.
If a particularly bad storm hits your Athens neighborhood, you might consider allowing our team to evaluate the health of your trees.
Root Rot
Root rot is a fungal disease that develops in the roots of your trees. It moves from the roots to the trunk, and eventually, it will kill a tree in your Athens yard if it’s left untreated.
This fungal disease can spread to other trees in the yard. It can also be treated if it’s caught early enough. So, why does this happen? It happens when the roots of your trees are submerged in water for too long.
In Athens, you see 17 more inches of rainfall each year than the national average. When you add the high humidity throughout most of the year, your soil stays damp and moist.
While this is good for growing trees strong and tall, it can also lead to root rot. You need to look out for signs of root rot, so you can treat your trees early. These signs include:
- Fungus at the base of the tree
- Bald patches on the trunk
- Smaller, paler leaves
- Holes in the leaves
- Stunted growth
When you see these signs, our team can determine the tree’s condition and help you explore your options.
Damage from Insects
Insects and other pests can decimate your tree in only a few months. Unfortunately, when you have an infestation, it probably affects more than a single tree in your yard. Here are a few of the most common pests we see in the Athens area:
- Asian Gypsy Moth
- Asian Long-horned Beetle
- European Cherry Fruit Fly
- European Gypsy Moth
- Spotted Lanternfly
It’s possible to have more than one type of insect infecting the same tree. If you want to save your tree, you need to catch an infestation early. The signs of an infestation include:
- Bugs crawling on the tree
- Stunted growth
- Reduced leaves at the top, making the canopy appear smaller or spotty
- Misshapen and discolored leaves
- Bark missing in spots
- Areas where the trunk caves in
- Holes and channels in the trunk
If you suspect you have an infestation, our team can evaluate the situation and help you decide on a course of treatment.
Does the City of Athens Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The city of Athens has a tree board to take care of the trees located on public lands and semi-public lands, such as easements. If a tree needs to be removed from these areas, the city will take care of it. However, if the tree is on private property, such as your Athens yard, the homeowner needs to remove the tree, including making arrangements and paying for its removal. You can always check with the city to see if the tree grew on an easement.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Athens?
As a homeowner, you’re almost always responsible for removing a tree from your Athens yard. While the city cares for trees on public land and easements, it won’t remove a fallen tree from private property. Also, one of the local utility companies might hold an easement in your yard. It’s always a good idea to check with the city and utility companies if the tree sits close to the road.
If you’re a homeowner?
In Athens, the homeowner is almost always the responsible party when it comes to removing a fallen tree from their yard. The city views the yard as private property. However, there might be an area of easement in your yard. If a tree falls in this area, the city or a utility company might need to remove it.
If you’re a renter?
Renting a home in Athens? If a tree falls in the yard of the home you’re renting, it’s the responsibility of the homeowner to remove it. You might have agreed to take care of the yard as part of the lease, but that wouldn’t include a project of this scope. However, you do need to let the homeowner know if you see a problem with one of the trees.
If you’re a landlord?
When you’re the landlord and the homeowner of an Athens rental home, it’s your responsibility to remove any fallen trees. The renter might take care of the yard work, such as mowing, raking, and trimming, but it wouldn’t include the removal of fallen trees. You may find that the tree grew on an easement, meaning you can get the city or a utility company to take care of it.
If you’re a neighbor?
Many times, our team removes trees that are lying in more than one yard, especially if they grew close to a property line. The responsibility of removing a tree like this is the property owner where the tree once grew. Whether it’s your responsibility or your neighbor’s, it’s always a good idea to go and talk to them when this happens. This talk can help you maintain a friendly relationship.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Athens?
The most common soil types in the Athens area and Alabama are sandy or shale loamy types. This indicates that there are particles of sand or shale stone in the soil.
These soils absorb water quickly, and the sandy loam soil drains it fairly well, but the shale loam soil might retain moisture longer. This can lead to too much water and the possibility of root rot in your trees.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Athens?
The weather in Athens affects the health of the trees with the additional moisture that comes from an abundance of rain and humidity that increase the likelihood of root rot in your trees. Also, the frequency of tornadoes and other violent storms in the area can damage or displace your trees.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Athens?
A dead tree on a power line is a dangerous issue, and you need to call emergency services as soon as you notice it. A dead tree near a power line might be in an area of an easement. If this is the case, the power company should remove it. All trees on private property are the responsibility of the Athens homeowner.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Athens?
Tree removal costs in Athens range between $279 and $2,054 with an average cost of $566. We know you want to know that exact cost, but until we come to your home and access the various cost factors, we can only offer you an average. The most common cost factors include:
Other Services
Many Athens homeowners want us to remove the stump or run the tree through a wood chipper. The wood chips offer a great source of nutrients when used as mulch around your yard. These services take additional time and equipment.
Location of the Tree
When a tree sits close to your Athens home, we need to take more time and care in removing it. We want to make sure that your home isn’t damaged from stray limbs. Also, some trees grow amid other ones, and when we cut down a tree in this situation, we need to make sure it doesn’t damage any of the other trees.
Size of the Tree
A large tree takes extra time and safety equipment to remove. Our team starts at the top of the tree and cuts it down in sections to protect your home. When a tree is tall or wide, it’s a much more delicate job.
