Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues In East Bay?
- 2 Does the City of East Bay Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in East Bay?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in East Bay?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in East Bay?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in East Bay?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in East Bay?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues In East Bay?
A common fungal-based disease in East Bay is armillaria root rot, and it’s killing avocado, oak, and citrus trees. This fungus lives in soil and attacks tree roots before any signs are seen topside. The first symptoms you may notice are leaf drop, yellow foliage, and upper limb dieback. When it is wet and cold outside, mushrooms may grow on the bark near the tree’s base. Armillaria root rot can spread to other trees, making it a big problem for orchards. If you have an infected tree, you could try to dry out the soil, effectively killing it, but that may not be enough to save the tree. In most cases, tree removal in East Bay is necessary to stop the spread.
Ganoderma root or butt rot is another fungal disease affecting the health of trees in the East Bay area. This fungus will go after a huge variety of wood–gymnosperms, palm trees, woody dicots, oaks, and maples. Some symptoms include yellowing, stunted growth, wilting, and dead branches. Sometimes, you will see only the lower leaves die because the infection is at the roots and bottom of the tree. Because the tree base becomes weak from rot, wind and rain can cause the tree to fall over easily. This disease is the reason for many tree removals in the East Bay area, especially after storms. Many times, homeowners don’t even know they have a problem until the tree falls.
If you notice small, dead areas forming on the needles of your trees, followed by the needles dying off and dropping, it may be anthracnose. This is a tree disease that is caused by several varieties of fungus. Anthracnose is common in East Bay, affecting mainly sycamores and white oak. The disease starts with a small black fungus eating the dead needle tissue. Eventually, causing large parts of the branches to turn brown as needles fall. Although anthracnose is not likely to kill your tree, it will make it weaker. If the tree is too weak, it may not make it through storms or droughts. The disease can be avoided by keeping the foliage dry. Using a drip irrigation system may be helpful.
The gypsy moth is a pest that’s doing a lot of damage to trees in East Bay. Although they prefer oak, they will feed on hundreds of other plant and tree species. Once infested with gypsy moth caterpillars, defoliation and tree death can take only a year or two. The gypsy moth caterpillars can eat an average of one square foot of leaves each day. Making matters worse, each female moth can lay about 500 to 1000 eggs. One way to prevent these pests is to remove egg masses that moths may lay in June and July. These may be seen on rocks, branches, or other hidden areas in the yard. If egg masses are not removed, you can try insecticides. However, the insecticide needed to kill the gypsy moth caterpillar is not for sale to the public. You can contact our arborists for help.
Does the City of East Bay Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
There are several different cities inside the East Bay area. Each city has a particular way of doing things, and they all have their own tree ordinance. In this section, we will discuss each major city’s level of help with tree removal problems.
Oakland’s tree ordinance requires a tree permit before any tree can be removed. This includes trees on private property. A member of the city will come out and inspect the tree before you are allowed to remove it. If the tree is considered a potential risk to the public, they may remove it for you. This will likely only happen if a tree is diseased or is a high enough priority. The city maintains over 200,000 public trees, so if your tree is not an immediate threat, they won’t help.
Another city with a unique set of tree ordinances is Berkeley. They only require a permit for coast live oak trees on private property. All city trees are maintained by the city. If you need a tree pruned or removed, you will need to contact the Urban Forestry Unit. The City of Berkeley will only remove a private tree if there is an immediate risk or hazard. In this case, they recommend you call the police or fire department for help.
In the City of Alameda, the property owner needs to care for their own tree. The city will not help with tree removal problems. In addition to caring for trees on your own property, if a tree is between the public right of way and your property, you will need to maintain it, regardless of who planted it. This means that if you need tree removal in East Bay and you live in Alameda, you might have to take care of a tree that was planted by the city.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in East Bay?
Whose responsibility is it for fallen tree removal in East Bay? That answer depends on a few different factors, including whose property the tree fell on and why the tree fell in the first place. It also depends on whether you’re a homeowner or renter. Here are the most likely scenarios for tree removal and who needs to take responsibility.
If you’re a homeowner?
Tree removal in East Bay goes to the homeowner because they own the property. In all of the cities in this area of California, the person who owns the property must maintain the appearance and safety of their land. The only exception is in Alameda, where the homeowner may also need to take responsibility for city trees near their property.
If you’re a renter?
In the East Bay area, renters are not responsible for tree removal. They do not own the property where the tree has fallen, so they won’t need to do anything except contact their landlord. The sooner you call your landlord, the sooner they can make arrangements for removal.
If you’re a landlord?
Landlords are the same as property owners, making them responsible for fallen tree removal in East Bay. If you’re a landlord and your tenant reports a fallen tree, you will need to address the problem quickly, especially if any damage occurs. In this case, homeowners’ insurance may cover the cost after the deductible is paid.
If you’re a neighbor?
If your tree falls on your neighbor’s property, they will be responsible for the removal. In all of the cities within the East Bay area, the property owner needs to care for their property. This includes fallen trees, regardless of where the tree was planted. If you suspect your neighbor’s tree is a hazard, you can report it to your city, and they will have an arborist inspect it. The only exception is in Oakland, where they expect you to write a formal letter to your neighbor addressing your concerns first. Your neighbor will have 15 days to respond. If there is no response, you can call for an inspection which you may need to pay for yourself. If the arborist agrees, they will deal with the neighbor and the city.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in East Bay?
The East Bay area is quite large. The soil throughout East Bay is very diverse, including high clay loamy soil farther from the ocean and the sandy loams closer to the ocean. If you live in a part of East Bay with clay loam soil, you will want to be careful with your watering schedule. Clay tends to expand when wet and then shrink when dry. Too little could cause the soil to compact around the roots. If your city’s soil is sandy loam, you will want to be aware of erosion. Water from rain or floods can wash away the sand.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in East Bay?
The weather in East Bay can only be described as eclectic, making it a perfect fit for the area. Here you will find something called microclimates. This means that you can have sunny, sandal weather in one place, and five miles down the road, you need a sweater. Fogs and mists can just pop up, and so can the wind without much warning. All these changes can affect the health of your trees.
Droughts are the biggest problem for East Bay. Some parts of the area are considered to have “exceptionally high” drought levels. This is a big reason for tree removal in East Bay. As you get further inland away from the ocean, the problem gets worse. Some ways of offsetting your water usage include rainwater collection barrels, greywater systems, and drip irrigation. You may also consider low-flow toilets and faucets. Saving water can offset the water used for your trees.
Some areas of East Bay see freezing temperatures and snow during winter. It is a good idea to be prepared with sheets and blankets. If you know that it’s going to drop below freezing overnight, you should cover your small trees and plants. If a tree is unable to handle the cold weather, defoliation and, sometimes, death can occur.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in East Bay?
If there is a dead tree near a power line, it will need to be removed. Dead trees are hazardous because, over time, they become weaker and less stable. At some point, the tree will fall, and that could affect the power supply. If you need tree removal in East Bay due to a potential threat to power lines, you need to contact PG&E. They supply and manage the power for the entire area. They will come and remove the tree and debris.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in East Bay?
If you need tree removal in East Bay, you probably want to know how much it will cost. If you want an exact estimate based on your specific tree, we can help. Every tree removal is a little different, and they all come with their own unique challenges. Most tree removals in the area will be in a price range between $105 to $1,920. The price usually won’t cover the cost of stump removal or grinding, which is a separate service. Here are some common factors that can increase the price.
Size of Tree
One of the most common pricing factors for tree removal in East Bay is the size of the tree. Small trees do not take as much time, energy, or labor for our team to bring them down safely. Tall trees are a different story. The taller the tree is, the more dangerous the job becomes. Bigger trees also take longer to clean up. Here is a rough estimate of what you may pay to remove a tree based on size:
- The average cost for 20-foot tree removal: $105 to $360
- The average cost for 40-foot tree removal: $340 to $685
- The average cost for 60-foot tree removal: $610 to $1,130
- The average cost for 80-foot tree removal: $1,015 to $2,150
Location of Tree
Where is your tree located? If it’s easy to get to, it will cost less to remove it. However, if you need tree removal in East Bay and you live on a winding hill, you will pay more. This is because inaccessible trees are harder for our crew to remove. They are also more dangerous and take more time. We will also want to know if the tree is near any power lines, roads, or other property.
Labor and Materials
Some trees may take more people to cut down. Some may need heavy machinery or a crane rental to remove it. The amount of labor and the type of materials required for each job is a little different, and it’s a major cost factor. Another thing that may affect labor and materials is the health of the tree. If the tree is dead, infected, or diseased, it is more dangerous. We may need extra eyes and tools to be sure no one is injured.
