Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Mesa?
- 2 Does the City of Mesa Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Mesa?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Mesa?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Mesa?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Mesa?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Mesa?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Mesa?
Insects and Pests
Insects and pests often attack trees, especially those that are damaged. Borers, especially beetles, attack sunburned trees along the trunks and branches. The adults use the holes to lay eggs, which later grow into the larvae. The larvae feed on dead wood on trees and create small tunnels with “sawdust.”
The most dangerous variety of borers attacks the roots, particularly Palo Verde. The adult borers lay eggs that hatch into larvae that feed on the roots. The larvae can stay up to 4 years, slowly feeding on the tree roots. Eventually, the tree dies due to deteriorating roots.
Other pests attack the foliage on your trees. For instance, aphids feed on the succulent tips of leaves and twigs. The aphids deposit a yellow sticky substance called honeydew that later turns the leaves and the twigs black. Other pests attack the areas that handle photosynthesis. These insects are called defoliators and usually cause damage to your foliage.
When we notice deterioration, we check for signs of pests, such as changes in leaf color, bite marks, and holes. We then recommend treatment or tree removal depending on the extent of the damage.
Disease
Diseases afflict trees and cause deterioration and death in extreme cases. Foliage disease is common among willows and oaks in Mesa. The leaves on infected trees tend to discolor and fall off. Decay fungi also attack trees, often causing the weakening of the tree trunk or branches. The fungus may cause cankers, which are areas of rot on the trunk and branches. Root fungus attacks the tree roots and causes reduced growth and thinning foliage and crown.
Overgrowth
As a homeowner, property owner, or landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure that the trees in your compound do not overgrow.
First, trees in your Mesa home or property should not cause visibility or obstruction issues. As such, it’s crucial to trim trees in your compound such that the lower branches do no extend below eight feet. If the tree in your home grows over a street, ensure that you call us to trim all branches and leaves growing below 14 feet.
Keeping the distance between the ground and the tree branches ensures that drivers and pedestrians can clearly observe road signs and look at road activity. If you have an overgrown tree, tree removal is an excellent solution to maintaining it rather than handling a complaint filed against a tree in your home.
Poor Placement
Sometimes, you end up planting a tree in the incorrect location. You may only notice the mistake years later. For example, you should plant trees that grow over 60 feet at least 35 feet from your home. It’s also best to plant deciduous trees in the east-west line in your home to block harsh sunshine during summer and allow maximum heat penetration during winter.
In winter, the trees lose their leaves, which allows maximum sunshine to reach your home. Keeping a reasonable distance between your home and the trees prevents dead leaves and twigs from falling on your roof and clogging your gutters and downspouts.
You should also avoid planting trees within 15 feet of electric lines. If you plant trees beyond the 15-foot distance but close to electricity lines, they should not grow more than 15 feet. As such, it’s important to keep tree maturity height when selecting the suitable trees for your home.
When planting trees, it’s also essential to consider the shape. Columnar trees occupy less space than round and wide-crowned trees. Consult our professionals before planting the tree. If you notice that a tree’s growth pattern interferes with height and visibility requirements, consider calling us in for tree removal.
Shallow Roots
Due to desert conditions in Mesa, many trees have shallow and traveling roots which support water and nutrient absorption. Unfortunately, shallow roots can grow into pathways, sidewalks, and fences. The roots can also venture into neighboring pools. Tree removal is an effective way to eliminate problematic roots.
Drought
Mesa is generally hot all year-round, with mild winters. With this in mind, it’s important to plant trees that resist harsh arid and desert-like conditions. The tree should sustain long periods of little water and severe sunshine exposure. These trees must adapt to Mesa’s climate, or it’ll increase their chances of death, poor growth, or burden of care.
If you notice that one of your trees in the compound struggles to survive, consider removing it and planting a suitable tree. As a rule of thumb, it’s crucial to consider trees native to Arizona because they are better suited to the weather. Native trees generally consume less water and resist harsh weather and pest and disease. Examples of native trees include:
- Velvet mesquite
- Desert ironwood
- Whitethorn acacia
- Blue Palo Verde
- Water birch
- Arizona cypress
- Arizona walnut
- Emory oak
Does the City of Mesa Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The city of Mesa does not interfere with tree removal in your compound. However, Mesa has a code of ordinances that controls tree growth near sidewalks, streets, and corner lots near roads. If your tree becomes an obstruction or nuisance to public spaces, the city can interfere and require that you maintain your tree according to the laws.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Mesa?
If you’re a homeowner?
As the homeowner, you’re legally required to keep your home and public ways free of dead plants. The law provides that homeowners should take reasonable measures to prevent “blight” in the homes. In this case, blight refers to the presence of dead plants in your compound. If a tree in your yard dies and falls, you should ensure its safe removal and disposal. We offer tree removal and disposal services in Mesa, AZ.
If you’re a renter?
If you’re a renter, inform your landlord of any dead trees and ask them to clear them from the property. However, if your actions caused the death of a tree, the landlord is well within their right to request that you pay for tree removal.
If you’re a landlord?
As the landlord, you should take care of your property, including removing dead trees in the compound.
If you’re a neighbor?
If your neighbor’s tree has fallen into your compound, you can ask them to remove it.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Mesa?
The characteristics of the soil affect the health of your trees. Mesa has fine, loamy, well-drained soils and mildly alkaline soils. Usually, it would help if you kept the soil pH between 5.5 and 7. Since Mesa is generally hot, water the trees frequently and add mulch to keep the moisture in the ground. Once in a while, irrigate the ground to flush the salts in the upper layers of the soil to prevent dehydration.
You should also avoid compacting the soil around your trees. Compaction reduces the air spaces and reduces oxygen availability in the ground. If the roots have no access to oxygen, they die. Reduce foot traffic under your tree to allow proper soil aeration.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Mesa?
According to PlantMaps, Mesa, AZ, is in the hardiness Zone 9. The area is generally warm to hot, with the lowest average temperatures of 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit. The average temperature is 86 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures soaring as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit in June and July. On average, Mesa has 10 inches of rain throughout the year than the national average of 38 inches. What’s more, there are 301 days of sunshine in Mesa than the 205 days national average.
With these in mind, planting trees adapted to the climate increases the chances of survival. You have to water your trees frequently. Here are several tricks on watering your trees correctly:
- Create a donut basin around the tree to prevent run-off. As the tree grows, expand the donut to fit the root zone.
- Water the trees early in the morning because there is less sunshine and wind.
- Place a layer of mulch over the tree’s root zone to prevent evaporation. However, avoid placing mulch directly on the plant’s base because it causes rot.
- Water the area below the edge of the tree’s canopy instead of close or on the tree trunk. The tree roots extend away from the base to find water. Water the tree along the area where rain would naturally drip around the tree.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Mesa?
Do not attempt to remove a dead tree near a power line in Mesa. You risk electrocution and damage if you try to remove a dead tree near an electric line. Contact your power utility company or tree removal service to handle dead trees professionally. In most cases, utility companies only remove the dead tree and restore power. Clearing the debris is often your responsibility, which you can hire us to do.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Mesa?
Homeowners pay anywhere between $150 to $900 for tree removal in Mesa. On average, most people spend between $360 to $498 on tree removal.
Height
Generally, the cost of tree removal increases with tree height and size. It takes more people, equipment, and time to remove large trees.
Condition
It’s cheaper to remove dead trees than a robust and healthy tree.
Location
It costs less to remove a tree far away from houses and electricity lines. The greater the proximity to a structure, the higher the risk of damage and liability for our specialists.
