Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Los Osos?
- 2 Does the City of Los Osos Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Los Osos?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Los Osos?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Los Osos?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Los Osos?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Los Osos?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Los Osos?
Los Osos is an unincorporated community along the Pacific coast of San Luis Obispo County, California. It is not only home to the majestic Montaña de Oro State Park, which is a naturalist’s playground, but the area is defined by its rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, coastal plants, canyons, streams, hills, and spectacular scenery that was produced through millions of years of volcanic activity. Yet, even though the area is an ideal location for families and tourists, it is also home to 250 species of birds and beautiful types of vegetation, including trees, plants, and flowers.
That is why it is no wonder that residents in Los Osos make it a point to ensure their plants and trees remain vibrant and healthy all year long. Yet, before property owners in this area can take the necessary measures to keep their trees safe, they first need to understand the more common plant and tree diseases the region has to deal with.
Anthracnose
This fungal disease is known to affect a variety of plants and trees. Anthracnose thrives in moist and warm conditions and multiplies quickly during rainy days by spreading through infected plant debris. Typically, this disease can be identified by its dark, sunken lesions that it produces on affected fruits, leaves, flowers, and stems, which begin as small, irregularly shaped spots that darken and begin to spread. Thankfully, with proper care from our arborists, the disease will not be lethal.
Fusarium Wilt
Fusarium wilt is a widespread fungus known to attack food crops such as bananas and tomatoes and is one of the primary diseases that affect California’s palm trees. This disease can live indefinitely in soil without access to living hosts and can spread quickly, making it very hard to get rid of. Fusarium wilt tends to begin in the roots, interfering with water transport causing the lower leaves to wilt and yellow. This disease will then progress to new growth until the tree eventually dies.
Fire Blight
Fire blight is a bacterial disease that is found in the early spring. Even though it does not affect a wide variety of tree types, it is incredibly contagious and can result in significant damage very quickly. Fire Blight tends to attack all parts of the tree, including the leaves, branches, and blossoms and gives them a black scorched appearance or a dark brown one. Typically, Fire blight will spread through many vectors, including rain, wind, birds, insects, and can also be seen on California’s apple and pear trees. Sadly, if the disease is left unchecked, it will kill the tree.
Does the City of Los Osos Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
In Los Osos, the Department of Planning & Building issues tree removal permits in accordance with the county’s regulations. These general guidelines indicate that anyone wishing to remove a tree on their property should first reach out to the department staff to determine what rules apply to their property.
This also means that homeowners that have a hazardous tree are also required to submit a tree removal form to the Department of Planning and Building before the removal of the tree can begin. Once the application is received, the department will review it and send an arborist like Tree Triage to inspect the tree and provide feedback to the county. At which point, the county will decide if the tree can be removed or not.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Los Osos?
In Los Osos, the property owner is often responsible for maintaining the flowers, plants, and private trees located on their property. However, if the property owner’s tree falls, determining who is responsible for the costs associated with the tree’s removal is not as apparent as many may expect it to be. In truth, figuring out who will be in charge of removing the tree will often depend on the situation’s circumstances.
If you’re a homeowner?
In California, the property laws indicate that if a tree falls because of a natural cause such as strong winds or a severe storm, the property owner of the place where the tree has fallen will be responsible for taking care of the tree. Yet, it is also important to note that the laws in California also indicate that property owners need to take care of their trees and make sure they prevent damage to other properties.
As a result, if a property owner notices signs of tree disease, instability, or weakness, they need to make corrections within a reasonable period. Or they can be held liable for the costs associated with the tree if it falls.
If you’re a renter?
In general, before a renter will move into a rental property, they will enter into a property agreement, which will discuss their unique role and how they will take care of the rental property. If an issue arises that is not mentioned in the contract, the landlord will be responsible for making the necessary repairs, while the renter will be in charge of maintaining and cleaning the property. As a result, if the tree falls, it will likely be the landlord’s issue.
If you’re a landlord?
As previously mentioned, the landlord is typically responsible for a fallen tree on their property unless their rental agreement states otherwise. Consequently, this means that the landlord will be accountable for the expenses associated with removing the fallen tree.
If you’re a neighbor?
In California, if your tree falls onto a neighbor’s yard because of natural causes, then your neighbor will be responsible for taking care of the damages and will need to contact their own property insurance to get reimbursed for the losses that stem from the incident. Yet, if you knew that your tree was sick, damaged, or dangerous before it fell but did nothing to fix the issue, then if it falls onto your neighbor’s property, you can be held liable for the damages that result and the costs related to removing the tree.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Los Osos?
The Los Osos soil consists of a series of moderately deep, well-drained soils that formed in material weathered from shale and sandstone. These soils are often found on uplands and tend to have slopes ranging from 5 to 75%.
Consequently, because of its makeup, this type of soil is often used for grain crops and sudangrass pastures, as well as vegetation that is mostly forbs, annual grasses, some perennial grasses, coastal sagebrush, and live oak.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Los Osos?
In Los Osos, the climate is considered dry sub-humid mesothermal, which calls for warm, sometimes foggy, and dry summers and moist and cool winters. The annual precipitation averages between 14 to 40 inches, and the average temperatures range from 56 degrees to 63 degrees. As a result of this steady climate, trees tend to flourish in the area. However, it is still important that before planting just any tree in Los Osos, you make sure to pick a tree variety that can handle this specific climate, such as:
- Bailey Acacia
- Silk Tree
- California Buckeye
- Loquat
- Pineapple Guava
- Fig
- Monterey Cypress
- Catalina Cherry
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Los Osos?
In California, the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requires that electric utilities trim trees near power lines. This means that electrical companies such as Pacific Gas & Electric Co (PG&E) must remove and prune trees when necessary to help prevent outages and keep the community safe.
When removing these branches or trees, PG&E tree contractors will cut larger limbs into more manageable lengths and leave wood on-site for the customer. They will also chip woody debris or follow best-management practices established for safe, environmentally responsible debris disposal.
That is why if you see trees encroaching on your power lines, you need to reach out to a company representative and confirm with them whether the company can help you take care of the tree.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Los Osos?
In Los Osos, there are numerous factors that can affect the costs of removing a tree, including the area surrounding the tree, the equipment needed to remove the tree, and the size of the tree that needs to be removed. Yet, before you spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on this tree removal project, it may be in your best interest to learn about these different cost factors. By doing so, you can be better prepared to cover the costs of the job.
The Tree Size
Generally, the tree size will be the most significant factor when determining tree removal costs. For instance, the average cost in Los Osos to remove a tree will be between $200 and $800. However, if the tree is giant, the price can go anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000.
The Terrain Surrounding the Tree
Another factor you need to consider when it comes to removal expenses is the tree’s accessibility and the terrain surrounding the tree. For example:
- If the tree is on a slope
- If the tree is in a location where it is difficult to access the tree
- If the tree is located behind a fence or a garden
These elements can result in numerous issues that will affect how our specialists cut down the tree, which in turn can increase the final cost of the removal project.
The Tree’s Overall Health
If the tree is dead, diseased, or at risk of falling over, it may require our team to use special equipment and precautions to ensure that injury is prevented when the tree is removed. However, if this special care is required, then the job’s overall cost will often increase.