AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Tucson, AZ

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Tucson?

Arizona is a climatically diverse state with up to four climatic zones. In Pima County, which is home to Tucson city, the winters are cool and dry, the summers are sweltering, and it is essentially clear year-round. A large and diverse number of plants are grown for landscaping purposes in Tucson and other parts of Arizona. Some of the popular tree and shrub types that do well in the city include evergreen and deciduous vines, annual and perennial ornamentals, evergreen and deciduous shrubs, palms, conifers, turf, bamboos, and other ground covers, citrus, native plants, and fruit trees. 

Some common tree issues in Tucson include:

Diseases

Many of the landscape tree issues in Tucson are caused by parasitic diseases stemming from several plant pathogens present in the city’s soil. The fungal plant pathogens are indigenous to and thrive in the alkaline low organic soils of the southwestern United States and often cause root, crown, and wilt diseases in several unrelated plants and trees. Other common diseases that attack plants and trees in Tucson include Cotton or Texas root rot, root and crown diseases, seedling and root diseases, powdery mildew fungi, Cytospora canker, crown gall, nematode, and mistletoe diseases.

Pests

Another significant tree issue in Tucson has to do with pests. Notable pest species that destroy trees and crops in Tucson and other parts of Arizona include the beetles and weevils such as Cactus Longhorn beetle, Agave billbug, Sisal weevil, Blister beetle, and Palo Verde beetle. Pests can wreak havoc on various landscape plants and trees in the city’s community environments by bruising the surface of plant leaves to feed and lay eggs. 

Larvae then feed and burrow into the heart of the plant, which eventually leads to stunted growth and wilting. Additionally, the larvae and adult pests may also transmit diseases such as the bacterium Erwinia carotovora, which ultimately reduces a thriving plant into an odor-filled decaying mass.

Other insects, such as the Blister beetles, produce cantharidin, an oily, yellow enzyme that causes blisters and burns should it come into contact with your skin. Cantharidin is a poisonous chemical that can cause burns and blisters on contact with skin. Importantly, should you accidentally ingest the chemical alongside plant material, you might experience significant toxic effects. Tree pests that are not controlled may sometimes wander indoors, bite, and cause skin irritation, among other effects.

Does the City of Tucson Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?

All plant projects in Tucson City must conform to the City’s Plant Ordinance. Essentially, if you or a previous property owner planted a tree, then it’s your responsibility to maintain it. You should also familiarize yourself with the state’s Native Plant Preservation Ordinance that protects rare plant species and protects others from being over-harvested. Notably, these plants may not be removed from any lands without permission and a permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture. 

Tucson city communities typically encourage the protection and use of native plants, and they have enacted native plant ordinances incorporated into land-use codes and standards. These ordinances are designed to serve several purposes, including providing the framework for:

• Establishing forestry programs.
• Determining the city’s responsibility for public and private trees.
• Creating regulations and setting the minimum standards for management.

Importantly, these regulations also provide pathways for communities and homeowners to leverage tree removal services in scenarios where a tree in question poses a significant threat to the community’s overall safety.

The city of Tucson plant ordinances stipulates that it is your sole responsibility as the property owner to bear the cost of having any tree removed from your property due to a disease of insect infestation issue. The only time that the city incurs expenses for any tree removal from any private property is when the tree in question obstructs the view of pedestrians and vehicles. 

Additionally, electric utilities may also carry the responsibility of trimming trees near power lines as required by the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), which has been adopted in most states, including Arizona. However, you should also keep in mind property owners may also have some responsibility for trimming such trees.

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Tucson?

The thought of a tree falling on your home is terrifying. Apart from causing injuries, a fallen tree causes structural damage and other damages to possessions which could run into thousands in replacement, repairs, and temporary lodging costs. Trees in Tucson are specifically susceptible to disease, decay, and aging that cause them to be damaged and fall over. 

So, who exactly is responsible for removing a fallen tree in Tucson? Let us explore some answers:

If you are a homeowner?

In most parts of Arizona and Tucson city specifically, the trees around your property are usually part of the deal when you purchase the property. In general, you are responsible for the damage to your property as well as to your neighbor’s property if you knew that the tree was diseased or dead. Therefore, learning the signs of a dying tree is essential to mitigate the risks early and avoid expensive lawsuits. If you notice the following signs, contact our trusted Tucson tree removal services as soon as possible:

• Fungus growth.
• Excessive broken or fallen branches.
• Yellow-brown and brittle leaves and needles on the top third of the tree.
• Patches of missing bark.
• Noticeable lean in one direction.

There are also other non-visible damages that only professional tree removal experts can smoke out. Therefore, it is crucial to schedule with us a routine inspection of all trees and shrubs on your property.

If you’re a renter?

If you are a renter in the Tucson, Arizona area and a tree has fallen, the landlord or the entity owning the property is the responsible party to meet the cost of tree removal. According to the city of Tucson, when a tree falls on privately owned land, it is the responsibility of the landowner to remove it. 

If you’re a landlord?

All types of trees or shrubs maintenance practices, including tree removal, trimming, pruning in the Tucson area, is the sole responsibility of the landlord or the entity that owns the specific property where the tree is found.

If you’re a neighbor?

It is the responsibility of your neighbor to remove a fallen tree on their property. If you notice one of your neighbor’s trees is dead and close to your property line, the best thing to do is contact your neighbor and ask if they are willing to have it removed. If your budget allows, you can offer to share the cost of a tree inspection and removal.

Since fallen trees involve the possibility of insurance claims and legal action, it is best to document your conversation. Compose a letter to your neighbor requesting for the tree to be removed, send it via the US Postal service and ensure you keep a copy. You can also send a copy to your insurance provider and attorney. Although this may not be precisely the best way to foster a good relationship with your neighbors, taking precautionary steps could be the only way to protect your investment, especially if your neighbor proves to be uncooperative.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Tucson?

Planting a tree in Tucson is a bit more complicated, thanks to the presence of caliche in the soil. Caliche is the hardened soil layer typical to desert soils like those found in Tucson. It is made up of calcium salts and minerals that build up and form a hard layer measuring anywhere from a few inches to several feet. This hard layer typically makes it quite hard for tree roots to penetrate deep inside the soils resulting in the roots that end up on shallow grounds. Such trees will forever be in perpetual danger of toppling as they get taller, gain more weight, or during bad weather. Caliche soils don’t only kill trees, but they also present potent hazards to peoples and property.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Tucson?

Arizona is no stranger to climate change that continues to affect the traditional weather conditions and the local area ecosystem. Specifically, the dangers posed by extreme heat, droughts, and wildfires continue to impact the overall health of trees in the state. Trees in urban areas like Tucson are especially susceptible to rising temperatures that go as high as 105 degrees owing to the dark pavement, buildings, and other structures that absorb heat and make temperatures even hotter to result in a phenomenon called urban heat island. The extreme weather conditions lead to the premature death of Tucson City plants and trees in their thousands.

Tucson is also a common target for thunderstorms, floods, and other extreme weather events. The city typically sees the highest frequency of storms that often leads to massive damage caused by falling trees. A study conducted by researchers at the UA’s School of Government and Public Policy reveals Tucson region gets hit with about 47 extreme weather events annually.

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Tucson?

Overgrown or dead trees near power lines pose an extreme hazard to the residents of Tucson, AZ. Fallen or wayward branches cause fires, electrical spikes, surges, outages, and downed lines. Specifically, people or pets that approached downed lines are a risk of severe injury and death. In Tucson, the city’s electric utility department is responsible for trimming trees near power lines as stipulated by the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC). If you notice overgrown trees near power lines, contact the city’s Utilities Department.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Tucson?

The cost to remove a tree in Tucson ranges from $150 to $1500. The average tree removal cost in Tucson is $825. However, the exact costs you will pay to have a tree removed from your property will be influenced by several factors, including: 

Size

The size of the tree to be removed is the leading factor that determines the overall cost you will pay. Typically it costs a lot more to remove a large tree than it would if it were small shrubs. The following is a breakdown of the cost of tree removal service in Tucson when size is a factor.

• Small Tree Removal of a maximum of 25 feet: $150 to $500.
• Medium Tree Removal of a maximum of 25 feet to 75 feet: $200 to $1000.
• Large Tree Removal 75 feet or higher: $1500 plus.
• Average stump removal cost: $60 to $350.

Condition

If you want to remove a healthy tree, you should be prepared to pay more as it is much easier for us to remove a dead, dying, or rotting tree than a healthy, strong, and thriving tree.

Location

Removing trees located in a place away from houses and buildings costs a lot cheaper than felling trees near properties as we will be responsible for any damage during our time on your property.

Other Cost Factors to Keep in Mind

Here are other cost factors to keep in mind as you plan on removing trees on your Tucson property:

• The cost of tree trimming and pruning in Arizona is $134.90 per hour (two-man crew).
• The cost of protecting trees and shrubs from disease in Arizona is $53.80 per trunk injection.

Lastly, consider the cost of land and lot clearing in Arizona, which is $1,766.60 per acre (range: $1,161.60 to $2,371.60).