AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Lake County, CA

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Lake County?

Lake County is proud to have a wide variety of oak trees and Monterey pine, Leyland cypress, tulip, and sequoia. These trees give us a gorgeous 360-degree view all year round. They also have their fair share of trouble. Lake County trees suffer from diseases, insects, and climate issues. 

Sudden Oak Death

First spotted in Marin County, California, in the early 90s, it quickly spread through the state. This fungus can quickly kill an oak tree in a matter of months.

Lace Bugs

Lace bugs consume massive amounts of broad-leaved evergreen trees. Their feeding leaves the vegetation with blotchy yellow spots. A healthy tree can withstand the damage from a season of lace bugs, but a heavy season can cause discoloring and leaf drop and, after a few years of infestations, death. 

Anthracnose Disease

Anthracnose is a mycological disease that influences flowering trees most often and a range of plants and shrubbery. It looks like a powdery substance sprinkled on the foliage in warm months, leaving dark brown abrasions on stems and leaves. 

Spider Mites

Spider mites are typically attracted to citrus trees but can be a serious hazard to many other varieties of trees. The damage is noticeable at first as small yellow spots on the top of the greenery. A plague of spider mites causes shoots and leaves to turn yellow. Eventually, the tree stops growing and dies. Spider mites are small, almost indecipherable by the human eye, but they are easily identifiable by the silken, white web masses they spin. 

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

This beetle is small and reddish. It covers itself in a white waxy substance it secretes to protect itself from pesticides. They can have wings or be wingless. After feeding, they burrow into the tree to lay eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the baby adelgid crawls down the tree to begin the cycle again.

Shot Hole Borer Beetle

This beetle is dark brown and bores into trees, where it builds tiny cubicles in which to feed and lay eggs. This interrupts the flow of nutrients. The shot-hole borer is especially damaging because it deposits a morbific mold that kills trees within months.

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

Lake County offers aid for tree removal in certain rare circumstances. Should a tree fall on public property and damage private property, Lake County is liable for tree removal and all associated costs. A winter storm could push through, for instance, and knock a tree over your fence into your neighbor’s yard. If the tree was on public property, Lake County will remove it and make any repairs. 

Another instance when Lake County will help with tree removal is a public nuisance or hazard. Such as if it’s sticking out into the street and blocking the view of passing drivers or hanging dangerously close to power lines. If a tree poses a threat to public welfare, Lake County will help remove it.

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Lake County?

Accountability for a felled tree boils down to who owns the property. That seems simple enough, but it can get convoluted quickly when it comes to property management situations. Here’s a simple guide to responsibility when a tree falls in your Lake County neighborhood. 

If you’re a homeowner?

Homeowners carry the full burden when a tree falls. If it falls on your property, you are to blame unless it fell from a public spot. Any tree growing on your property that falls anywhere is your obligation. Homeowner’s insurance policies will typically have a clause for felled trees.

If you’re a renter?

Renting a home or apartment takes the brunt of the responsibility out of factors like restorations and lawn care, including any fallen trees. The landlord will be the responsible party to take care of any tree issues.

If you’re a landlord?

If you’re a landlord, you could be the one responsible for a fallen tree on the property you manage. Everything depends on if you are the landowner. Landlords might have the job of the manual labor of cleanup, but unless there is some specific clause in the lease, landlords are not responsible for tree issues or damage unless they own the property. 

If you’re a neighbor?

If you’re a neighbor, you don’t typically have anything to worry about. If your neighbor’s trees fall into your yard, someone’s insurance will foot the bill for any required repairs.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Lake County?

Lake County has various soil types, including Maymen, Mayacama, and Hopland, which are perfect for growing wine grapes and trees. The Clear Lake area is responsible for some volcanic remains in the soil that make it so rich and fertile for growing. Vegetation like vegetables and flowers also grow well in this lush soil. Even nutrient-rich soil has to be conditioned before any vegetation will thrive in it. 

Conditioning the soil means blending topsoil with compost and grass clippings several times a year. A backbreaking job, but one that will keep your trees healthy and lovely. After conditioning the soil, test the pH value at each planting cycle. The pH value of the soil will tell you how to modify it to suit the needs of the trees before they are set in the ground. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Lake County?

When it comes to weather, it definitely has an effect on our trees in Lake County. We get some pretty strong winds, especially off the ocean. This causes several issues with the trees, including leaning, breakage, and salt burn. 

Heatwaves are another problem around here. When temperatures skyrocket, water evaporates faster, and trees can experience drought. Without enough water, the leaves will turn yellow, fall off, and the tree eventually dies. Trees can succumb to flooding and hurricanes just as quickly. Lake County also experiences a few natural disasters on occasions, such as earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes, and they can be devastating to any tree along their route. 

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Lake County?

There are only a few tree ordinances in Lake County that regulate the use and maintenance of trees. They also set the foundation of protection for citizens and property from trees that pose a risk. Tree removal from private property is the responsibility of the property owner, but there are exceptions. If a tree, or a part of a tree, were blocking the view of passing drivers or cyclists, or if it posed a public health risk, such as hanging near power lines. In that case, you will be directed to call PG&E for removal.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Lake County?

Cutting down and removing trees is a skill. A regular Joe cannot perform tasks like firing up a chainsaw and bucket truck and taking down hanging limbs or chopping up a felled tree. As in any trained profession, it can get pricey. The cost of tree removal services in Lake County really depends on several factors. On average, typical costs range from $180 to $2500. The average removal price is around $700.

Let’s take a look at some influencing factors in the cost of tree removal in the Lake County area.

Accessibility

Where a tree falls has a lot to do with the costs to clean it up. Major gear like bucket trucks and cranes might be necessary to complete the job and will be reflected on the final bill. A tree that falls in the middle of the forest with nothing around will be a less costly job than one with surrounding structures. Another cost factor is whether the tree falls on something like a garden shed. Costs will be higher to tidy up the extra mess.

Tree Stump Removal

Sometimes, a tree snaps close to the bottom or has to be cut down; you may not want the stump to stay on your property. Tree stumps aren’t part of the tree removal process. Stumps can be dug up and removed or ground down. Unless you have plans for that stump, you’ll need to pay to get rid of it.

Type of Tree

The type of tree can increase the price to clean it up. Some trees are harder than others to cut down. Oak trees are some of the hardest of all wood types and can cost upwards of $300 to remove, depending on the diameter. Sycamores are another excessively hard tree that can be costly to remove.