Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Grass Valley?
- 2 Does the City of Grass Valley Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Grass Valley?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Grass Valley?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Grass Valley?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Grass Valley?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Grass Valley?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Grass Valley?
Grass Valley, California, is historically known as home to two of the richest mines in California. But next to its goldfields and Cornish heritage, it has also gained a reputation as one of the best places to spot autumn foliage.
Thanks to the rich Nevada soil, the area supports a horde of vegetation and all kinds of trees native to Nevada County. Magnificent Maple, Lombard, Oak, and Amber trees, all come together in one place to form this colorful urban canopy.
But beautiful as they are, these trees are still prone to some issues affecting their overall strength and health. As a resident, it is important to be aware of such issues, so you can handle them effectively.
Here are the three most common tree issues in Grass Valley.
Oak Leaf Blister
Common among oak leaves, oak leaf blister is a disease that usually develops under wet, humid conditions and is spread by wind and rain. As buds start to open during spring, oak leaves become infected with the blister pathogens that can survive the winter.
A leaf infected by the pathogen will show chlorotic, blister-like spots on its upper surface and grey depressions corresponding to the raised blisters on its lower surface.
Luckily, the oak leaf blister is not really lethal. It can be treated by applying some special fungicides. Residents should rake fallen debris and leaves, and discard them to reduce disease inoculum or further spreading.
Bark Beetle Infestation
While bark beetles might have been residents of Nevada County long before we arrived, the bugs are major players in increasing tree mortality in California. They flourish in drought conditions, infesting any dead, stressed, injured, or diseased trees, especially those in a dense group. The western pine beetle primarily attacks ponderosa and Coulter pines in California from late spring through late October.
Once they attack the trees, there’s really nothing that can be done. The infestation typically lasts until the whole host tree is dead or a cold spell wipes the beetles out. However, we can try to prevent an attack using chemical treatments or thinning the trees for a wide spacing.
Anthracnose
There are two types of anthracnose symptoms, basal rot, which occurs in wet weather, and foliar blight, which occurs under water stress and prolonged heat. Foliar blight is more common in Green Valley. It attacks older leaves, first turning them from reddish-brown to brown lesions that turn pale.
To control anthracnose, we advise following proper agricultural practices regarding soil fertility, compaction, and salinity. Chemical treatment should be primarily applied on intensively managed turfs such as golf courses and football pitches. Our team of arborists is ready to help with any treatments needed!
Does the City of Grass Valley Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The Grass Valley, California, has a Code of Ordinances clearly stating the procedure you have to follow when it comes to problems related to tree removal. To remove a tree, you will have to apply for a permit: giving a brief statement on the reason for removal, consent from the recorded landowner, and any other pertinent information requested by the director of public works.
If you remove a tree without the necessary permit, you’d be liable to penalties such as fines, injunctions, cumulative remedies, and fees for enforcement and restoration. However, there are exceptions. For instance, tree removal caused by natural conditions is not considered a permit violation which means anyone can remove a fallen tree without attracting penalties.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Grass Valley?
Responsibility for removing a fallen tree mainly falls on the person who owns the land that the tree fell on. For example, if it’s on private land, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to remove the fallen tree.
To clarify the matter, the code of ordinance explains who is responsible for removing fallen with clear definitions on tree ownership.
If you’re a homeowner?
As we saw, in Grass Valley, the homeowner is fully responsible for the removal of fallen trees from their property. This included the surrounding land and trees. No permit is required to remove the tree, so the homeowner is exempted from violation rules and penalties. Extreme natural elements like severe thunderstorms, diseases, and high winds are the major factors that contribute to falling trees.
Likewise, any fallen tree is the homeowner’s responsibility for as long as the fallen tree’s trunk is located on his property. If the fallen tree is on a power line, we advise the homeowner to contact our certified professionals to handle the situation. It will also be the homeowner’s responsibility to remove the tree if a neighbor reports it as a nuisance and if it falls on the sidewalk adjacent to their property.
If you’re a renter?
While a tenant can remove a fallen tree, especially if it is a safety hazard, tenants should not engage in removing fallen trees unless their rental agreement states that it’s their responsibility.
It’s the owner’s responsibility to handle it unless the tenant severely damages the tree and causes its ultimate fall. In this case, the tenant would be held responsible for removing the tree and paying for damages.
If you’re a landlord?
In Grass Valley, most landlords have clauses regarding the control and maintenance of vegetation, including trees. The responsibility is usually handed to the tenant, who will then be required to maintain the property landscape. If done consistently, this might help spot any dead or ill trees before they cause any damages.
However, if the tree fell and caused damage on a sidewalk adjacent to their property, it would be the landlord’s responsibility to fix it even if it was laying on public grounds. The argument, in this case, would be that his tenants got to enjoy the benefits of aesthetics, increased rent value, and cooling from the tree.
If you’re a neighbor?
A tree trunk is used as the measure of ownership in Grass Valley. Therefore, if the trunk of the fallen tree is your property, and the roots are in your neighbor’s property, it would still be your responsibility to remove the fallen tree and vice versa.
If a tree fell from your property by Acts of God such as high winds, it wouldn’t be your responsibility to pay for damages. However, you could pay if the tree fell because of neglect or if the tree falling was foreseeable and no action was taken.
For this reason, you can file for a nuisance suit if you feel your neighbor is neglecting his duties, but we advise not taking any action before you get the required documents. You could be committing a misdemeanor if you enter your neighbor’s property, ensuring you do not cause a breach of the peace or unnecessary harm to the tree.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Grass Valley?
Aiken clay loam is the type of soil that highly favors the growth of trees and covers a huge area of Grass Valley. It has a depth of 18 to 30 inches with a relatively large proportion of coarse sandy material, overall giving it a granular structure with greater permeability. This makes it relatively easy for trees to grow.
The soil is also low in organic matter and has low levels of lime though most have slight traces of acid. Due to its low water retention and easy water absorption, the soil proves to be ideal for the growth of trees.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Grass Valley?
Varying weather conditions are dependent on altitude. On the western part ranging from 200 feet to 400 feet, the climate is characterized by a dry, hot summer and a mild with moderate rainfall annually. These conditions favor the growth of scattered oak and digger pine, giving it a park-like covering.
At 2500 feet, the highest elevation in Grass Valley, there is more rainfall and lower temperature, affecting the density and weight of trees. The soils are also deep and fertile. Since it experiences more rainfall, the trees there grow densely.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Grass Valley?
Like the rest of the county, Portland General Energy (PG&E) is responsible for handling dead or fallen trees close to a power line in Grass Valley. You should not attempt to remove or prune the fallen tree. Instead, report the dead, diseased or dying tree to PG&E by contacting their emergency line at 1-800-743-5000.
Though power contractors are not authorized to take wood from private land, they will cut large limbs into manageable sizes and leave them on-site for the client’s use once called. If no disposal rules are given, they will follow the best practice established for safe and environmentally conscious debris disposal.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Grass Valley?
The average total for removing and chopping down a tree in Grass Valley is around $400 to $1,800 with the majority standing at $750. Low-end small trees will only cost $200, while extreme projects can cost upwards of $2,000. You pay between $8 and $15 per foot, with factors like job complexity and accessibility affecting your range.
Size and Age of the Tree
A tall, wide tree will be more costly to remove than a short narrow one. This is mainly because bigger trees tend to generate problems in terms of falling space. Typically, each branch will have to be chopped individually, thereby increasing our work hours.
In addition to height, age is also a determining factor to cost. Older trees tend to be wide and therefore much harder to cut down. They usually require us to use special tools which increase the overall price.
What Will Be Left?
Stump removal isn’t typically included in our tree removal services. Opting to remove the stump by removing it completely or grounding it down until it is no longer visible will attract extra costs. A lot of work goes into removing tree stumps hence generating a higher price than standard tree removal services.
Tree Accessibility
The location of a tree also has a direct impact on the price. Cutting down a tree standing alone in the middle of the field is much easier than removing one close to houses or power lines.
The more inaccessible the more it requires expertise and several specialized tools and ropes. The process is quite dangerous and could lead to costly damages if handled by an amateur. For this reason, we highly recommend employing the services of our certified tree removers.