Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Sun City?
- 2 Does the City of Sun City Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Sun City?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Sun City?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Sun City?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Sun City?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Sun City?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Sun City?
Sun City is located on the outskirts of Phoenix and, true to its name, is sunny almost all year round. This desert city gets an average of just 10 inches of rainfall each year and its temperatures can soar into the upper 90s during the height of summer. While it can have a somewhat harsh climate, Sun City is also home to a wide array of beautiful and unique plant life. Trees that are common in this area include:
- African sumac
- California fan palm
- Arizona sycamore
- Desert willow
However, while many trees thrive here, we do still encounter some common issues. Here are a few tree problems you can expect to see in Arizona.
Root Disease
There are different root diseases with varying degrees of severity. In general, root disease will cause infected trees to grow more slowly, turn yellow on the leaves or needles, and become thin in the crown area. The trees in this area that are most commonly impacted by root disease include spruce, oak, and aspen.
Trunk Decay
Trunk decay is caused by fungi, and it will not typically kill the tree. However, it does tend to weaken the trunk, making the tree more susceptible to damage.
Foliage Disease
This type of disease is very sad to see as it can cause trees to partially or completely lose their foliage. Foliage diseases are also very contagious, easily spreading in moist environments. In Arizona, trees that are most likely to experience foliage disease are oak, willow, cottonwood, aspen, and Arizona sycamore.
Does the City of Sun City Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Sun City is fairly unique in that it is not technically a city – it is an unincorporated part of Maricopa County and is within the Phoenix metropolitan area. As such, Sun City itself is not actually responsible for maintaining public property. If you would like to report a fallen tree that is blocking a street or sidewalk, you can contact the Phoenix Street Transportation Department at (602) 262-6441.
However, if you would like to remove a tree on your own property, Sun City does not have any programs in place to assist you. Tree care and removal are generally classified as standard home maintenance and the city will not provide funding. The only exception is if you have a dead tree on your property that is close to a power line, in which case, your electric utility company can provide assistance in removing it.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Sun City?
In Sun City, responsibility for fallen tree removal will generally rest on whoever owns the property where the tree fell. If a tree has fallen on your property or nearby, here’s what you need to know to figure out who is responsible for removing it.
If you’re a homeowner?
If you are a homeowner in Sun City and one of your trees falls in your yard, you will need to arrange for removal. In some cases, your homeowners’ insurance may help you pay for the removal. This will depend largely on why the tree fell and whether it caused damage to your home. Most standard insurance policies will fully cover a range of “named perils,” such as lightning or fire.
However, this can quickly get complicated. In instances of a tree falling due to a storm, homeowners’ insurance will typically not cover the cost of removal but may reimburse you for any damages to your personal property.
The exception to all of this is if the tree fell due to negligence. In this case, you will be responsible for the full cost and your insurance is unlikely to assist. As such, it is very important to monitor your tree health and call in a professional any time you suspect a problem.
If you’re a renter?
If you rent your home, you’re in luck. In most cases, your landlord will be the person responsible for arranging for fallen tree removal. Sometimes your lease will include a section stating that you are responsible for maintaining the yard, in which case you will be the one who needs to monitor the tree health and who will need to arrange for removal if the tree should fall. However, as long as your lease does not include this clause, you are not responsible for the fallen tree. You should contact your landlord as soon as possible to have them arrange for removal.
It is also worth noting that although renter’s insurance will not cover the cost of tree removal, it can still benefit you in this scenario. If the tree damages any of your personal property when it falls, your insurance may reimburse you.
If you’re a landlord?
As the landlord, you are responsible for maintaining the health of the trees on your property, even if you do not live there. Regularly checking the health of your trees can help ensure they do not fall ill. This ensures that if a tree falls on your property, it will not be due to negligence. While you will still need to arrange for its removal, your insurance is more likely to help you cover the costs if the tree fell through no fault of your own.
If you’re a neighbor?
Finally, if your neighbor’s tree falls onto your property, you will be the one who needs to arrange for its removal. This is inconvenient, but your neighbor may be willing to work with you to help cover the costs. If your neighbor is unwilling to work with you, and if you are able to prove that the tree fell due to negligence on their part, you may be able to legally demonstrate that they should be the one to pay for the tree’s removal. Additionally, your own insurance should cover the cost of any property damage caused by the fallen tree.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Sun City?
Although Sun City is beautiful, its soil provides a challenging environment for local trees. The main soil in this region is known as Casa Grande soil. It is very alkaline, salty, and rocky, containing high amounts of clay. Clay soil compacts easily and has very poor drainage. These properties mean that it is easier to inadvertently overwater your trees and to prevent the proper amount of oxygen from reaching the roots. When planting trees in Arizona, repeatedly irrigating the soil for several weeks before planting can be highly beneficial to the health of the trees, as it removes the excessive amounts of salt in the soil.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Sun City?
Maricopa County experiences thunderstorms with intense winds. These will almost always exceed 40 mph, and can even reach 100 mph, causing tornado-like damage. This can have a significant negative impact on local trees, particularly if they have been weakened by trunk decay.
Sun City is also in USDA Hardiness Zone 10, meaning that it is one of the warmest locations in the state. Average winter temperatures typically do not go lower than 30°F. Trees that do well in colder weather will therefore not fare well here, while trees that love warm climates, such as palm trees, will thrive.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Sun City?
Dead trees near power lines are a significant safety hazard, as they are more likely to fall and knock the power line over. Not only does this impact local power, but it also poses a high risk of electrocution for anyone who happens to be standing nearby. Responsibility for the removal of the trees near power lines falls on your local electric utility company, Arizona Public Service Electric (APS).
If you observe a tree that looks as though it may interfere with a power line, you can contact APS at (602) 371-7171 at any time of the day or night. A representative will arrive within 10 business days to inspect the tree. If they deem it to be a hazard, they will prune or remove it at no cost to you. If you choose to hire our professionals to prune your tree rather than waiting for APS, we can contact APS to have them disconnect the power line while the tree is being trimmed.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Sun City?
On average, tree removal in Sun City costs approximately $770. This price can fluctuate depending on your specific situation, with costs as low as $280 or as high as $1,200 or more. There are quite a few factors that we take into consideration when providing a price estimate. Here are some of the things that may influence the cost of your tree removal.
Tree Size
Large trees require a larger crew and significantly more equipment to safely remove from your property. It also generally takes longer to remove a larger tree. All of this results in a higher cost. On the other hand, if your tree is fairly small, we will likely be able to remove it much more quickly and without as much equipment. This will therefore be more affordable and convenient.
Urgency of the Removal
Emergencies happen and we are able to respond quickly to help resolve them. However, rapid response times such as this will often require crews to work during off-hours, which can drive up the cost of labor. Additionally, urgent tree removal is likely to be more complex and require more time and equipment, further increasing costs.
Tree Health
If your tree is in generally good shape, removal is much more likely to go smoothly. Trees that are suffering from disease, on the other hand, require much greater care during removal to ensure that we do not inadvertently spread the illness to the surrounding area. Because of this, trees that are in poor health are typically more expensive to remove.
