Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Buckeye?
- 2 Does the City of Buckeye Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Buckeye?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Buckeye?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Buckeye?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Buckeye?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Buckeye?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Buckeye?
Trees are susceptible to several things that can cause stress, illness, and even death. Insects and fungal infections are two of the most common causes of tree issues in Buckeye. In some cases, tree limbs and branches can be removed to mitigate the damages. Other times, the entire tree has to be removed to eliminate a particularly infectious problem. Be on the lookout for these issues:
Bark Beetles
These tiny insects love to burrow into the bark of conifers that are stressed or otherwise weakened. As the beetles make a tunnel and feed, they effectively cut off the tree’s water and nutrition, and it starves. An infestation of bark beetles is almost always terminal in trees that are already distressed. However, your trees aren’t completely safe even if they’re healthy. A large infestation can cause damage and distress to even the strongest, healthiest trees on your property. If you notice straw to red-colored needles beginning to form on your conifers, there are likely bark beetles present.
Defoliating Insects
Trees depend on their leaves and needles to process energy from the sun and water. This process, called photosynthesis, is vital to the tree’s health, vigor, and longevity. Defoliating insects eat the leaves and needles of Buckeye trees, sometimes stripping entire branches of their vital fuel sources. The larvae of some insects feed on the leaves after they hatch, for some species, it’s the adults with a taste for leaves. If an infestation is particularly bad, the tree’s canopy can be devoured in a matter of days, leaving the tree vulnerable and unable to process energy properly. Some trees recover, but second defoliation may be too much.
Sap-Sucking Insects
Rather than eating the tree’s leaves, some insects prefer to drink the sap from inside the tree. Sap-sucking insects like aphids are pretty common in Buckeye and usually don’t pose a huge threat to the tree. They’ll often be found on soft shoots and stems where they can pierce the surface to find the succulent sap. The biggest concern with sap-sucking insects is they make the tree look diseased, which is not only unappealing, it may also cause some concern about the tree’s health and safety.
Fungal Infections
One of the most common problems we’ve found with trees in Buckeye is a fungal infection. Many times the infection is introduced through damage to the tree or its roots. Fungi can be transferred to your trees through the soil, water, or even insects that bore into the tree or that live in the soil. Signs of fungal infection can include yellow, or browning leaves, off-season leaf drops, canker sores on the tree bark, dying limbs and branches, and visible fungus fruit. In most cases, the presence of a fungal infection signals the tree’s impending decline and potential death.
Does the City of Buckeye Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
As a homeowner, you’re responsible for everything that happens on your property, both inside and out. That means you’re the one who’s liable for the trees in the yard as well. Unfortunately, if a tree falls on your property, the City of Buckeye isn’t going to lend a hand to clean it up. It will be up to you to arrange for us to remove the tree and clean up any debris. You’ll also be on the hook to repair damages to your home, outbuildings, or property.
If you see a tree that you believe is on city property that looks as though it’s distressed in some way, you’ll want to contact the City of Buckeye Public Works Department to report it. Be sure to specify where the tree is, what the problem is, and why you’re calling about it. That way, the authorities can send a crew over to take care of the tree before it becomes a danger to anyone.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Buckeye?
There are no specific laws or rules on the books in Buckeye or the State of Arizona regarding liability for fallen trees. However, the city and state generally follow a common law approach that the owner of the property the tree falls on is liable for its removal and cleanup. That is, as long as the tree was healthy before it fell. If, however, you know that a tree is compromised due to disease or infestation, and it falls, you’re going to be held responsible for the damages.
If you’re a homeowner?
Trees that are growing on your Buckeye property are your trees and therefore your responsibility. So, if one falls over because of strong winds from a storm, you’ll need to take care of the tree removal and debris cleanup. If your home, other structures, or personal property are damaged, your homeowner’s insurance policy should help cover your expenses.
If you’re a renter?
Renting a home in Buckeye is an affordable option that comes with some unexpected perks. The biggest benefit of being a renter is that you’re generally not held liable for the home’s structure or the landscape. If a tree falls, you’ll want to call your landlord or property management company to report the problem. If you sustain damage to your property, file a claim with your renter’s insurance.
If you’re a landlord?
If you own income property in Buckeye, keep in mind that your responsibilities for fallen trees are the same as any homeowner. You’re liable for tree removal and debris cleanup on your rental property. You’ll have to repair, or pay for repairs to any damages to the home or other structures, and you may also have to provide temporary housing for affected tenants.
If you’re a neighbor?
Generally, if a tree falls from an adjacent property onto yours, you’re the one that has to take care of cleanup and tree removal. If the tree in question was dead, dying, or otherwise unhealthy, and the owner didn’t take care of it before it fell, that’s a different story. In that case, the liability shifts to your neighbor who maintained a dangerous tree.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Buckeye?
The soil in Buckeye, and throughout the State of Arizona is tough for plants and trees. It’s generally got a very high clay content, which can be problematic. When heavy clay soils get saturated, they expand, pushing tree roots upward and disrupting their grip on the soil. Too much rain and even the largest trees can simply fall over if the clay becomes saturated. Too little moisture, and clay soil cracks, exposing delicate roots to sunshine, pests, and damage.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Buckeye?
Intense heat and blistering sunshine that mark summer in Buckeye make people and trees uncomfortable. Fortunately, you can go inside with the A/C, but your trees are stuck out in the brutal Arizona heat. When drought conditions are present, the trees are challenged even further and some trees start to exhibit signs of distress like yellow or brown leaves, wilted limbs, and even defoliation of the canopy.
Severe weather like heavy thunderstorms and tornadoes also threaten the health and well-being of your Buckeye trees. As mentioned before, if your soil is high in clay content and the skies break loose with heavy rains and strong winds, your trees are at risk of being uprooted. Lightning can strike large trees, breaking off branches and causing tree distress.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Buckeye?
The power lines that line the streets in Buckeye carry a dangerous amount of electricity. If a tree is touching, or close to touching a power line, don’t get close to investigate and never touch the tree. Get as far away from the tree and power line and make sure no one else goes near it.
Contact Arizona Public Service Electric to report the dangerous tree. The men and women who work for the electric company are all highly-trained, licensed professionals who know how to safely handle problem trees. You can rest assured that they’ll take care of the tree, so it doesn’t pose a hazard to anyone and that it doesn’t disrupt the power.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Buckeye?
The average price of tree removal in Buckeye is between $500 and $700 per tree. However, that’s not what you’ll end up paying necessarily. We can’t tell you exactly what your tree removal bill will be, but it will likely fall between $300 and $1,900. We can say that our estimates are based on several factors including:
Tree Size
Big, mature trees with large branches and many limbs are particularly difficult to remove. We need extra rigging, heavy equipment, and a large crew to do it safely. All those things mean a higher cost, but they also mean peace of mind.
Tree Location
If you need a tree removed from a hard-to-reach spot, on a steep grade, or other difficult terrains, we’ll have to bring in special equipment, rigging, and staff. As you may have already guessed, that means you’ll pay just a little more for the tree removal.
Debris and Stump Removal
If you have a particularly large tree that needs to be removed from your Buckeye yard, you may also need the stump removed. This is an extra cost since it’s such a difficult and time-consuming process. You may also pay a little more for excessive amounts of heavy branches and debris.
