Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Prescott Valley?
- 2 Does the City of Prescott Valley Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Prescott Valley?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Prescott Valley?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Prescott Valley?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Prescott Valley?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Prescott Valley?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Prescott Valley?
Prescott Valley is home to various regional low-water-use flowers, bushes, trees, and shrubs that can survive and thrive in our high-desert environment. Some of the native trees you will find in Prescott Valley include scrub oak, fleabane, silver nightshade, desert globemallow, and scarlet gaura. There are also fruit trees that grow in our mountainous surroundings, including citrus trees, apples, apricots, and Asian pears.
Dwarf mistletoe is a significant plant parasite native to North America and also affects plants in Arizona. The parasite exists in eight species in Arizona that often attack conifers, pines, true-fir, and Douglas-fir. It infects branches and produces explosive seeds that can spread to an area up to 40 feet away. It deprives hosts of nutrients and water, weakening infected branches, and making them susceptible to attacks by insects, like bark beetles, and diseases like root rot. Dwarf mistletoe infections also cause branch swelling and increase tree mortality rates. Trimming infected branches and increasing the spacing between infected trees helps to reduce the spread, but when the spread is rampant, it is best to entrust tree removal Prescott Valley experts to get rid of it.
At the same time, diseases, insects, and natural factors threaten the growth of healthy and robust plants in Prescott Valley. Among them are fungi, a widespread problem, especially in the spring, and can cause mild to severe tree damage. Gymnosporangium rust on Hawthorn, root fungus attacking the leaves and stems of Desert Brom, and Sycamore Anthracnose are some of the most rampant fungal tree issues you will encounter while living in Prescott Valley. Some fungi can be seen as it grows on the bark or stems while others eat up your trees from inside. Although some of these are responsive to fungicides, others require special attention to overcome. We are aware of the best practices to handle these and many other fungal tree issues common in Prescott Valley, so you can always call us for assistance.
The health of trees in Prescott Valley is also threatened by several insects, including beetles, aphids, agave weevils, spider mites, and Prescott Scale. All of which attack different parts of the plant and cause varying degrees of damage. It might be hard to notice or distinguish between different issues that are affecting your trees. However, be on the lookout for damaged and weak barks, abnormal tree leaning, fungal growth, and excessively dry branches.
Not to forget that there exist invasive tree species, like Tree of Heaven and Siberian Elm, that are found in most parts of Arizona, including Prescott Valley. The invasive tree species act like weeds by being fast-growing and hard to control, threatening species diversity and property values. They become harder to control and kill as they mature, and the best way to get the situation under control is by pulling out sprouting invasive trees or having us cut down the tree and apply an effective herbicide.
Does the City of Prescott Valley Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
In Prescott Valley, every property owner or occupant is expected to maintain the area around their home regularly. This includes the removal of weeds and fallen or dead trees. The City of Prescott Valley will remove trees that are part of the city’s state or federal program, while power companies often remove problem trees near power lines at no cost. The City of Prescott Valley values trees for their multiple benefits. Hence, they introduced the Living Tree program that allows you to donate a tree that is planted in the park of your choice. Staff on the program are mandated to select the right tree and the perfect location. Your tree is placed under the town’s tree inventory, meaning it is responsible for its maintenance. When it is damaged or develops a disease, they are responsible for its replacement.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Prescott Valley?
Fallen or dead trees pose a serious safety threat to you and your neighbor’s property. The same goes for healthy trees that have grown out of control and the root outgrowth causing damage. All these situations necessitate removing trees, which must be handled by professionals because it is a hazardous task that must be handled with utmost care. But the question remains who is responsible? Read on to understand when you should take on tree removal expenses and when the responsibility falls under somebody else’s hands.
If you’re a homeowner?
As a homeowner, the costs for maintaining your yard and the area surrounding your home lies on you. This includes tree removal for the sake of improving your home’s curb appeal. However, in the situation that a tree has fallen due to natural disasters such as storms, lightning, or other forces not within your control, such as a car crashing into the tree, your homeowners’ insurance caters to the costs. The extent to which the insurance covers is dependent on your plan and exact project.
If you’re a renter?
Typically, landlords are responsible for maintaining trees and making sure they do not pose any threats. Thus they are mandated with ensuring diseased or damaged trees are removed on time before they cause damage to their renter’s belongings. Your renter’s insurance coverage could help take care of bills associated with property damage resulting from a fallen tree as a renter.
If you’re a landlord?
Because the tree is on the landlord’s property, they are responsible for covering the damages. This is entirely true if the landlord was aware of the impending danger and chose to do nothing about it. However, if it results from “acts of God,” landlords’ or homeowners’ insurance will help them foot the bill.
If you’re a neighbor?
You are responsible for taking care of tree removal and damage costs if a tree in your property that was visibly damaged or diseased fell on your neighbor’s property. This is especially true if you were well aware of the condition and failed to take timely action. However, if the tree falls due to natural causes outside your control, your neighbor will have to take on the costs themselves. But not to worry, because homeowners’ insurance typically covers the damage caused to their property by falling objects, in which case they also pay for the removal of debris. Such situations bring about a lot of tugging that may even warrant legal action.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Prescott Valley?
The type and composition of soils determine the ability of soils to produce healthy trees. Casa Grande is the soil that covers most of Central Arizona, which includes Prescott Valley. Casa Grande soils are deep and well-drained, with a high clay and salt content. The high salt content requires you to irrigate or rinse it a few weeks before planting to wash out the salts and protect plants against salt burns. Native plants thrive in these soils whose alkalinity is below a pH of 7. However, you must invest more time and effort to make the soils conducive for gardens and landscape. Caliche is also common in Prescott Valley’s subsoil, and it hampers proper root development and water movement.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Prescott Valley?
Prescott Valley is an inter-mountainous region that is part of Arizona’s Planting Zone 3B. The zone is elevated at 5,100 feet and is categorized by mild winters, long growing seasons, and many frost-free days. All the four seasons are mild in Prescott valley, with average low and high temperatures of 37℉ and 79℉ respectively. The area receives a yearly average rainfall capacity of 12.8 inches.
As you may already know, it is best to plant native trees over non-natives, which might be unable to cope with the existing environmental conditions. Some good choices that will not disappoint you despite the prevailing weather conditions include Desert Willow, Austrian Pine, Atlas cedar, and Chinese Pistache. Because the area slopes towards the south, your trees may be affected by spring frost and freeze damage as cold air collects in the area.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Prescott Valley?
Utility companies, such as Arizona Public Service (APS), have a keen interest in removing trees that are near power lines. They will remove trees that cause a fire hazard or threaten power outages for free and employ the most specialized labor while ensuring the safety of everybody around.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Prescott Valley?
Tree removal is not cheap, especially not in Prescott Valley, where the average costs of removal range between $200 to $1,750 per project. The fees also vary depending on the following factors.
Size
Expect to pay more for larger trees as compared to small trees. That’s because the taller and bulkier trees require additional workforce, special equipment, and may take us longer to complete.
Tree Location
The accessibility and proximity of the tree you want to be removed also influence how much you will pay to get the job done. A tree located near a fence or property is complicated to remove and increases liability for our arborists. This necessitates higher removal costs.
Stump Removal
In Prescott Valley, you will have to pay about $100 to $150 more for stump removal. Understandably, stump removal requires a stump grinder to get rid of the exposed roots and the stump, and you may also need some extra landscaping to cover up the gaping hole left behind.