AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Beverly Hills, CA

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Beverly Hills?

Tree issues in Beverly Hills are usually due to diseases, pest infestation, and weather-caused stress. Some diseases and pests are species-specific, while others ravage different kinds. In addition, a few weather conditions like storms affect most trees across the city, but others are area-specific. For instance, trees planted in poorly drained soils may be more susceptible to root diseases than those grown in well-drained soils.

Weather-Caused Stress

From prolonged dry weather to high winds, extreme climatic conditions wreak havoc on a tree’s health. For example, the absence of adequate soil moisture dehydrates trees and leads to eventual damage to their root systems. While some local species such as oak, maple, elderberry, cottonwood, willow, alder, and ash can take Beverly Hills weather, others suffer severe damage. Even after the trees pull through extreme weather conditions, the resulting stress makes them susceptible to disease and pest infestation.

Pest Infestation

Pests often love strained (diseased or drought-stressed) trees as they have poor defense mechanisms. Some insects attack leaves, while others frolic on stems and branches. Common pests include bark beetles, aphids, codling moths, leaf miners, and scale insects. Most feed on different tree species, while others are species-specific, such as the sycamore borer, South American palm weevil, and California oak worm.

Diseases

Diseases also ravage a range of trees across Beverly Hills. Anthracnose, wilt, fire blight, and root rot are prevalent among weather-weakened trees of different species. Some diseases are seasonal, spreading rapidly during cold and wet weather; others are dormant, only spreading during high winds or following pest activity.

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

The city of Beverly Hills restricts the removal of protected trees planted on private property between the house and an adjacent street. Examples of protected trees include black cottonwood, big leaf maple, California sycamore, red willow, Mexican elderberry, foothill ash, valley oak, and California juniper. 

If you wish to remove the trees mentioned above, you must first apply for a permit. However, you don’t require a permit to remove trees outside the section between the house and the street, unless they are in an urban grove.

If you want to remove a tree or the Building and Safety Division has requested you remove diseased or dead trees, you must provide a report from a city-approved, certified arborist substantiating the tree’s condition.

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Beverly Hills?

In Beverly Hills, a tree belongs to the owner of the land where its trunk grows. This means that if a boundary tree has its stem growing on both sides of the property line, it belongs to the owners of the adjoining lands. 

However, even where a tree’s trunk is wholly on one side of the boundary, the neighbor may contribute to its maintenance, especially if it’s a nuisance. For example, if the tree sheds leaves or a branch snaps and falls on the neighbor’s property, the owner is not responsible for clearing the debris. In this case, the neighbor is responsible for cleaning up their property.

So, what happens if a tree falls, given the shifting responsibilities? Here is how different land occupants are affected by a fallen tree.

If you’re a homeowner?

As a homeowner, you’re responsible for maintaining your trees, including the fallen ones. But if you live in a managed community, you should first check the community by-laws, as some HOAs restrict removing trees. Nonetheless, if the tree destroys insured property, the insurance compensation should cover the removal costs.

If you’re a renter?

Essentially, renters are not responsible for removing fallen trees on the property. It’s the landlord’s responsibility to care for them and remove the fallen ones. Where the rentals get damaged, the property insurance compensation should cover the damages and the tree removal costs. 

However, the cover does not include renters’ personal belongings. These are usually covered via renters insurance. Similarly, if the tree falls on the garage and destroys your car, the auto insurance should see to the car’s damages.

If you’re a landlord?

A landlord is responsible for removing fallen trees on their rental property. However, if the property is within a managed community, you should first consult the association’s by-laws regarding tree removal to ensure you don’t violate them. But if the tree destroys insured property, the insurer should pick up the removal bill alongside compensating other property damages.

If you’re a neighbor?

If your neighbor’s tree overhangs your property, they are not responsible for cleaning up any leaves or branches that fall on your side. It’s your duty. You also have a right to trim any offending branches up to the boundary line, but you must be cautious not to harm the tree. 

That said, if the neighbor neglects the tree and it becomes a safety hazard, you can talk to them and express your fears. If the inevitable happens and the tree falls, destroying your property, your insurer should compensate you then pursue the neighbor to recover their loss.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Beverly Hills?

Besides the weather, soils are an essential factor in a tree’s growth. Generally, soil gives trees the support they need to grow to their mature height. In addition, they hold nutrients and water, which the trees then use to make their food. 

Soil exists in different textures with unique properties. For instance, sandy soils have large grains, which allows water to drain, thereby avoiding flooding. Usually, this is not the case with clay soils as they have fine particles, making them poorly drained. Diseases such as root rot are often prevalent when the soil contains high amounts of clay. 

Clay’s compactness also binds up nutrients. As such, it’s not uncommon to spot stunted trees in areas with clay soil, as their roots strain to take up the nutrients. You may also observe the same problem in sandy soils, as nutrients are easily washed away due to the soil’s texture. Essentially, loamy soils tend to be well-drained and have suitable properties for good plant growth. 

Most soils combine several grain grades in various proportions. Whatever the soil type, you can treat it to improve its quality. For instance, poorly drained topsoils can be corrected by raising beds before planting to improve soil drainage. Different soils also have various pH levels. Most trees do well in neutral pH, while some prefer low or high pH. Where the soils are highly acidic, especially the clay types, liming helps raise its pH.

Lastly, every tree species prefers a specific soil type. Beverly Hills soil is usually loamy. Some common variations include clay loam and sandy loam. Most of the tree species around, like ash, juniper, cottonwood, sycamore, oak, maple, among others, perform well across the city’s different soils as they are well-drained.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Beverly Hills?

Trees require conducive weather conditions to remain healthy. Beverly Hills does not experience rain throughout the year, but the 13.6 inches it receives is adequate for tree growth. The problem arises when dry weather prolongs. This often results in dehydration, and the roots get damaged in the process. 

High winds are also prevalent in the city and leave devastating damage in their wake. Trees that are weakened by diseases and pest infestation are easily blown away by strong winds, while others are left with broken branches or no foliage. 

Wounded trees attract insects that love to perch and feed on the exposed parts. Some of the insects bring along with them diseases that further ravage the already ailing trees. On the other hand, losing leaves mid-season interrupts a tree’s normal food production cycle. This increases the chances of starvation, especially on trees struggling to fight existing issues. 

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Beverly Hills?

Power utility companies are mandated to maintain vegetation along their supply lines. This helps guarantee public safety and increase power reliability by minimizing vegetation-related power outages. 

For instance, Southern California Edison regularly trims vegetation and removes diseased, dying, and dead trees near their power lines. If there are dead trees near their lines, you can contact them by calling their customer support line at 800-655-4555.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Beverly Hills?

The tree removal cost in Beverly Hills varies depending on its location, size, and condition. On average, most people spend around $300 for small trees, $700 for medium trees, and up to $2,000 for large trees. However, some jobs cost as little as $100 or even more than $2,000, depending on the tree size and work involved. 

Note that these prices do not include stump removal costs. Usually, the tree removal cost involves cutting and clearing expenses. Stump removal is a separate service that ranges between $100 and $200, based on the stump size and root depth. 

To understand how the factors affect the cost, here is a quick summary. 

Size

We give quotes depending on the tree’s size. Generally, tall trees usually cost more than shorter species due to the amount of work involved. For instance, an 80-foot tree requires more effort to cut than a 20-foot tree. Also, trees with large crowns, such as fig trees, take more time for our crews to cut and remove the debris than a slender tree like a palm. The more effort and time a tree requires to remove, the higher it’s likely to cost.

Location

A tree’s location affects its removal cost in several ways. For instance, if a tree is near a building, it may be tricky for our crew to climb up and cut it down without damaging the structure. In such a case, we usually require special equipment, such as a crane, to remove it safely. Any additional materials and equipment increase the project overheads, leading to a higher quote. Similarly, if a tree is in a hard-to-access area, we factor in any extra costs incurred in ferrying the crew and equipment to the site. 

Condition

Once you reach us with your tree removal request, our Beverly Hills team visits the location to establish the tree’s condition. This is crucial because its condition has a significant effect on the final quote. 

Essentially, removing a healthy tree is way cheaper, especially if it’s on open grounds. However, a diseased or dead tree is too dangerous to climb up, requiring the use of equipment to remove, which increases the project cost. Again, removing a tree that has fallen on top of a building is more expensive due to the danger involved, unlike one lying on an open field.