Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Daphne?
- 2 Does the City of Daphne Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Daphne?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Daphne?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Daphne?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Daphne?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Daphne?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Daphne?
Welcome to Daphne, Alabama, also known as the Jubilee City. This beautiful coastal town is well known for its history, southern charm, and sense of community. There are plenty of things to do here, such as take a walk through the Village Point Park Preserve. It’s filled with lots of gorgeous trees, although the Jackson Oak is the most popular. It has a circumference of 28 feet and is 95 feet tall.
In spite of the fact that Daphne is like a paradise, there are a few problems that tend to plague the trees and may require that you call our professional tree trimmer to either clean up a tree or remove it.
Pests
For many people, there are fewer things more annoying than a bug that just won’t go away. Trees often feel the same way and can even face some serious health risks if it becomes infested with pests.
Alabama is currently under federal quarantine due to two such bugs. One is the Asian Citrus Psyllid, which loves citrus plants. Unfortunately, the citrus plants don’t love it back and can begin showing signs of burned tips and twisted leaves. Asian Citrus Psyllids are also carriers of the disease Huanglongbing (HLB), which has no cure.
The other pest that has Alabama trees under quarantine is the Imported Fire Ant. This tiny ant can cause a lot of trouble. It feeds on corn, soybean, okra, and citrus plants which is troublesome enough. The ants also destroy farm equipment, attack farmhands, and displace native ant species.
Invasive Exotic Plant Species
Pests aren’t the only problem facing trees in Daphne. Other plant life can cause problems and make it hard for native plants to grow. It can also have wide-spreading effects on the entire ecosystem.
According to The City of Daphne, “Competition among plant species is a natural part of any ecosystem, but the introduction of exotic species can disrupt intricate balances and relationships evolved over thousands of years among native plants and their communities. Oftentimes, the result is a loss of biological diversity within both the plant and animal communities. There are many examples of disastrous exotic plant invasions that have resulted in losses of native species, changes in community structure and function, and even alteration of the physical structure of an ecosystem. The effects of invasions by exotics depend in large part on which species and which natural communities are involved.” Some of the trees that the City of Daphne considers an invasive species include the Camphor Tree, Silk tree, Hen’s Eye, Nandina, and Kudzu.
Does the City of Daphne Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
For the most part, the City of Daphne prefers to promote the planting and growth of trees, but there are a few occasions when the city will step in. One occasion is when there are invasive tree species popping up. This is mainly reserved for the Village Point Park Preserve and the Bayfront Park, but it’s worth giving the city of Daphne a call if you notice an invasive species spreading onto your property.
The other time the City of Daphne may help remove trees is if there is any danger of them falling onto community property such as roadways, sidewalks, or power lines. The City of Daphne will also help by removing storm debris if it is by the curb. Updates on how and when this will be done will be posted on the City of Daphne website.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Daphne?
Figuring out who is responsible for removing a fallen tree isn’t always a straightforward answer. There are lots of factors to take into consideration such as how healthy the tree was, what caused it to fall, and if there is any legal documentation stating who is the responsible party.
If you’re a homeowner?
There aren’t many cases when the homeowner isn’t responsible for clearing a fallen tree if it was on your property. It’s your tree, so it’s your responsibility to have it cleared away. If you have the right policy, your insurance company may cover part, if not all, of the cost of removal. This is something you’ll have to cover with your insurance agent.
If you’re a renter?
For the most part, the landlord will be responsible for clearing away any fallen trees. It fell on their property, so they are the responsible party. The only exception to this is if it is written into the lease that the renter is responsible. This is why it’s highly recommended that you read your lease agreement before signing and discuss any questions with your future landlord before you sign anything. Whether or not you’re responsible for cleaning up the tree, it’s a good idea to get renters’ insurance. Trees can do a lot of damage to property when they fall, such as landing on the roof of your vehicle. While your landlord may be responsible for having the tree cleared up, they may not be responsible for paying all the damages. It’s better to be covered with renters insurance, just in case.
If you’re a landlord?
In most cases, you’ll be responsible for paying for clearing away the damaged tree. The only exception to this is if it was written into the lease that the renter is responsible for cleaning up. It’s recommended that you get insurance to help cover the cost.
If you’re a neighbor?
If your neighbor has a tree with limbs hanging over your property, you need to contact your neighbor first. Let them know that the branches are either damaging your property, or could. It’s also a good idea to send them a certified letter, especially if the tree looks diseased or dead. If the tree does fall, it’s likely your responsibility to pay, unless it was in poor health and you notified your neighbor.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Daphne?
Daphne is surrounded by swamps, so the soil tends to be a bit moist in many places. That being said, the soil tends to be a mix of loamy subsoils and sandy loam or loamy sand surface layer. This makes it perfect for a wide range of trees to grow in Daphne, but not all of them are good for the environment. It’s recommended that you check with the City of Daphne before planting a tree, to make sure it’s a native species of Daphne. If not, you may want to rethink what type of tree you’ll plant. It may look good, and thrive well in the soil, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for the local ecosystem.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Daphne?
Rain plays a huge role in the health of trees in Daphne. On average, most US cities get about 38 inches of rain every year, according to Best Places. Daphne sees 67 inches of rain each year, which is almost double that amount. The months with the most rain are June, July, August, and September.
Heavy rainfalls can often lead to fallen trees. The soil gets soggy and trees that aren’t in the best of health can weaken. Add in some strong winds and it doesn’t take much for trees to start falling. Being a coastal town, hurricanes are a reality for Daphne. This means there will be more downed trees than in an area further inland that faces a small thunderstorm.
The good news is that the weather is usually bright and sunny. The average high is in the 90s and the average low is about 35 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a great temperature for trees to grow big and tall. That can cause problems of its own, of course, which we’ll cover next.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Daphne?
The Riviera Utilities’ Vegetation Management Department is responsible for keeping trees trimmed that are near power lines in Daphne. This can include either trimming stray branches or removing the tree entirely if it poses a possible danger.
The Riviera Utilities’ Vegetation Management Department won’t simply begin cutting down trees, however, there are several factors taken into consideration such as how quickly the species of tree in question grows, the voltage of the power line, and if the tree species tends to become unstable as it grows. If you request it, the Riviera Utilities’ Vegetation Management Department may be willing to replant a new tree, although this is not guaranteed.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Daphne?
Removing trees isn’t always as simple as making a single cut through the trunk, and this is reflected in the price. You can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $2,100. The average cost of tree removal in Daphne is $619.
Shape
Pine trees are known for growing tall and straight. Trees in Daphne aren’t always like this, however, for many species of trees that call Daphne home, there are many segments branching off from the main trunk that branch off even more. This can require a lot of planning before cutting begins. Our tree specialist must figure out which branches to cut first and begin working on them. This will prevent damage both to your property and to our workers who are cutting the tree down.
Size
Cutting down a smaller tree is usually not that big of a problem. A cut here, and a cut there, and down it comes. Taller trees or trees that have a thicker diameter are more difficult to cut down. There are more factors to take into consideration, such as if we can cut it down into one whole piece or if we need to cut it down into separate segments.
Location
A tree growing in the middle of the swamp is going to be easier to cut down than a tree growing next to your home. Try to cut down a tree that is located in between two homes, and the job just got a lot harder. Our arborist must carefully plan where the tree needs to fall, so it doesn’t damage any buildings. There’s also the added trouble of getting the equipment in and out.
