Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Fountain Hills?
- 2 Does the City of Fountain Hills Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Fountain Hills?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Fountain Hills?
- 5 Does the Weather Affect Tree Health in Fountain Hills?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in the City?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Fountain Hills?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Fountain Hills?
The most common trees planted in Fountain Hills require little watering since Fountain Hills is located in a dry, arid, desert-like environment. Many cacti and small shrubs grow well in this arid climate with little precipitation. Trees like agaves, red maple trees, and weeping willow trees are common in the Fountain Hills area. Many evergreen trees are durable, robust, and can grow well in an arid climate. White pine and American holly trees are common choices of trees as well.
Many flowers are popular in the Fountain Hills region. They grow well and survive easily as long as adequate water is provided throughout their growing seasons.
It’s also worth noting that the Fountain Hills area is a great place to grow many vegetables and has gardens with warmer weather for most of the year. Many local gardeners also plant fruit trees which tend to flourish as well. Here are some common problems that affect trees in Fountain Hills:
Bark Beetles
Bark beetles are small insects that mostly feed on weakened or stressed conifer trees in Arizona. Signs that a tree has been infected include yellowing or reddening of foliage, resin on bark or the base of trees, and boring dust.
Wood Borers
Some of the most destructive insects that we affect trees are wood borers. They usually prefer dying or freshly-cut trees. If you notice sawdust piles and entry and exit holes, then your trees have borers. They lay their eggs inside of trees and the larvae start to feed on it. Their infestations are barely noticeable until parts of your tree or plant begin to show damage.
Root Rot Disease
Root disease fungi spread from diseased to healthy roots, affecting all tree species. However, we’ve found that Douglas fir, spruce, true fir, and Aspen are the most vulnerable. Long after diseased trees have died, the fungi remain in the dead roots and soil after many years. Symptoms of this disease include reduced tree growth, yellowing of normally green leaves, thinning of foliage, and death, among others.
Does the City of Fountain Hills Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
There is no public assistance with tree problems in the city of Fountain Hills. The city takes care of all the trees on public property. Individual residents are responsible for the trees that stand on their property and any trees that need to be removed or replanted.
However, as a dry, arid, desert-like climate with little precipitation, residents are highly encouraged (required during droughts) to participate in Fountain Hills’ water conservation efforts. Conserving water includes watering lawns, flowers, plants, trees, and crops minimally and necessary. Choosing plants and trees that require little to no water helps save water for other important daily living activities of the city’s residents. Using extra water is wasteful and living in the Sonoran Desert means that every bit of water that can be conserved is important to the health of everyone living in Fountain Hills.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Fountain Hills?
The city of Fountain Hills is responsible for removing any trees that are on city property. If the tree is on your property, it is your responsibility to trim, prune, and maintain the tree. If you must cut down or replant a tree on your property, that is also your responsibility. Homeowners will have to pay for all the expenses related to tree removal and replanting. The city of Fountain Hills does not offer assistance programs to help with tree removal or replanting that occurs on your property.
If you’re a homeowner?
If you are a homeowner and a tree falls on your property, it’s solely your responsibility to have the tree removed and replant any trees required by local laws or community rules. If a dead tree needs to be removed from your property, it is your responsibility to have it removed and replant any trees that need replacing in its place. The city of Fountain Hills does not provide any financial assistance to homeowners who need to have a tree removed and/or replanted.
If you’re a renter?
If you are a renter, all tree removal that occurs is the responsibility of your landlord. If you are renting, you have no financial obligation to pay to have a tree removed or replaced on your renting property. Contact your landlord for concerns about the trees on your property and if a tree needs removal and/or replanting.
If you’re a landlord?
The landlord is responsible for the upkeep of all rental properties they own. This includes tree removal and any replanting of trees that must occur on the property. The renter is not responsible for covering any of the financial costs related to the landscaping required to upkeep the property. The city of Fountain Hill will not provide any financial assistance to landlords who need to pay to have trees removed and/or replanted on their rental property. However, the landlord can count tree removal and replanting as an upkeep expense on their property when filing their taxes.
If you’re a neighbor?
If a tree lands partially or totally on your property, then the responsibility of removing the tree will lie to the person whose property the tree was on. For example, if a neighbor’s tree falls on your property, it is the responsibility of the homeowner who has the tree on their property to remove the tree from both their property and your property if it falls across the property lines.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Fountain Hills?
The soil in the Fountain Hills is mostly consistent with basin sediment, which is largely made up of loosely unconsolidated sands and gravels. These sediments deposit sit on top of the harder bedrock that lies beneath. This type of sandy sediment means that there is not a lot of actual “soil” to be found in the desert environment of Fountain Hills. The trees planted here need to be compatible with the lack of soil and the dry, arid environment. A lot of evergreen trees and cacti-like plants grow well in this arid environment. However, the lack of precipitation can be a problem for certain types of trees as well. Limited watering during droughts is something to consider, as well as the limits on how much water you are allowed to use for commercial landscaping purposes when water conservation laws are in place.
Does the Weather Affect Tree Health in Fountain Hills?
The weather in Fountain Hills varies quite a bit throughout the year, which can impact the health of the trees in the area. Combined with the dry weather and lack of precipitation, the trees planted in the Fountain Hills area need to be durable and hearty. The temperature in Fountain Hills ranges between 60 to 110 degrees throughout the year. The average temperature in Fountain Hills runs about 76 degrees throughout the year. Dip can be as low as 40s at night. The trees in this area need to be able to withstand the wide variety of temperatures as well as live with little precipitation.
The average amount of precipitation in Fountain Hills annually is 13.3 inches per year compared to 38.1 inches of US average precipitation per year.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in the City?
If trees fall near power lines, the Salt River Project power company asks customers to call them at 1 (602) 236-8888 to report trees falling near a power line. The Salt River Project will do its best to take the tree down as soon as possible. Fountain Hills is considered a moderate to high risk of wildfires due to its hot, dry, and arid desert-like climate. Therefore, the Salt River Project company will work with local landscapers to remove dead or downed trees immediately due to the wildfire risk that they pose to the local communities.
Silver River Project asks customers not to attempt to remove dead or downed trees near power lines themselves. There are substantial risks that can lead to injury if the removal is not done by people who are knowledgeable about the precautions that need to be taken when working near something as dangerous as a power line.
How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Fountain Hills?
The average cost to remove a tree is about $965, slightly above the national average of $870. Winter is sometimes considered a cheaper time to remove trees, as it reduces the demand for tree removal in Fountain Hills due to the moderate to high wildfire risk present in hotter months.
However, it is worth noting that several factors will predict how much it costs to remove your tree in Fountain Hills, including the following:
Size of the Tree
The larger the tree is, the more it will cost to remove the tree. For example, a single limb can be removed for about $120, while a small tree will only cost $75 to $250 to remove. A 75-foot tree will cost an average of $1,100 to remove.
Location of the Tree
If a tree is located near a building, a house, or a power line, it may cost more to remove. Having to cut off each piece of the tree while using extra precautions not to damage surrounding buildings or power lines will take more time and cost more money to remove the tree. On the other hand, a tree not located near a building, a power line, or other structure may cost less to remove.
Time Required for Tree Removal
If the tree removal company needs to bring in equipment to remove a tree, it will cost more money. You will have to pay for the use of the equipment and the extra labor and time it takes to remove and dispose of larger trees. The entire job may take anywhere from several hours to a couple of days, and the longer it takes, the more hours of manual labor you will have to pay for.
Not all tree removals in Fountain Hills will have the same cost. Having an estimate done on removing your tree should give you a more specific idea of what you are paying.
