Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Murrieta?
- 2 Does the City of Murrieta Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Murrieta?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Murrieta?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Murrieta?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Murrieta?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Murrieta?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Murrieta?
Our location, geographically speaking, here in Murrieta would make you think our tree issues would be almost non-existent due to the desert that surrounds us. The desert is known for tumbleweeds and not towering trees! But, any native Murrieta citizen will tell you that that simply isn’t the case. This just creates a whole different set of diseases and problems with our tree life here in Murrieta.
Let’s take a look at some tree diseases that are common in this area.
- Cytospora Canker. This opportunistic fungus attacks the trees that are already sick or dying. This disease has a huge list of trees that it tends to infect, like poplars, conifers (spruce), elm, pecan, willow, and fruit trees. This disease is easy to identify by a large stained area where a limb has either been cut by a human or lost by wind or other natural phenomena.
- Rhizosphaera Needle Cast. Another member of the fungi family that attacks the needles of evergreens, turning them brown then yellow before falling off and spreading into the tree itself. Many people have confused this disease with winter drought stress.
- Verticillium Wilt. This is a soil-borne fungus that attacks the tree from the roots. This fungus is most likely found in the ash, maple, olive, and fruit trees. Once the tree has been attacked, there isn’t much to do to treat this issue, as death is imminent.
There are also commonalities among the tree issues with other things like insects and trees that have been harmed due to construction or simply by human presence. If you suspect your tree has any diseases or other problems, get in touch with our professional arborists to see if anything can be done to save a tree in distress.
Does the City of Murrieta Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
If you were to just sit down to read the Murrieta, California Municipal Code, you would probably get a severe headache from the fine print on the first page alone. But, buried within those pages of Municipal Coded Scriptures are the items set aside for the general health and well-being of the Murrieta trees. There, The Urban Forestry Division has its set of policies and procedures to help the citizens of Murrieta keep the tree life looking good.
There is also a downloadable brochure for the Living-Tree-Donation-Program that Murrieta citizens are encouraged to support. This is an opportunity to do two good things with one simple gesture. Plant a tree and honor someone or some family member by donating a tree to the City of Murrieta in his or her name. This could be considered a way to ‘pay it forward’ when the City of Murrieta has picked up some tree limbs or other brush-type debris from your home.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Murrieta?
Property lines with tree issues. Who is going to be responsible for this nuisance tree that needs to be trimmed? Let’s open this a bit and dig a little deeper. How much time and money would you be willing to spend when arguing with a neighbor over a tree issue? Apparently, there are those who will take this issue all the way to the Supreme Court of their state just to get the matter settled. There are far better ways to spend taxpayer dollars than tying up the state’s Supreme Court to make a ruling on this tree issue debacle.
Most states will agree, and according to the law, wherever the root system of the tree is located, the person that owns that property is the responsible party. Then there are situations where you own the tree, but your neighbor has improperly trimmed the tree, and as a result, the tree died, fell down, and damaged your home. Now you can sue the neighbor for damages and the costs associated with what value is placed on the tree. Before you ever crank up a saw or grab the pruning shears, brush up on a bit of California Law regarding this matter. You won’t regret getting the right information regarding your Murrieta tree issue, as it pertains to you and your neighbor… and a property line.
If you’re a homeowner?
Are you the homeowner in the above-mentioned situation? If you are, you’re responsible for the removal and associated costs.
If you’re a renter?
As a renter, you don’t have a responsibility to remove any trees on the property, fallen or standing. This would fall on the landlord instead.
If you’re a landlord?
Are you a landlord? If you are, then you own the property and are responsible for the tree removal.
If you’re a neighbor?
Please, if you don’t learn anything from this guide, learn this. There isn’t much real cause for a tree issue to be allowed so much authority over you and your neighbors’ life that it destroys a beautiful friendship. There are many trees that can not have a price tag attached to them because of what they are actually worth. So is your friendship with your neighbor. Agree to split the costs, or take it upon yourself to cover the removal costs if the tree fell on your property.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Murrieta?
Early on we mentioned a disease that is a fungus present in the soil in Murrieta. Soil has a direct effect on a tree’s health, and if you are concerned about the soil around your tree, call the City of Murrieta and have the city arborist come take a look. The soil in the greater Murrieta area has a lot of sand content due to its location in the desert plateau.
The amount of construction that Murrieta has seen in recent years will also affect the soil in negative ways. Things like construction site run-off and overly compacted soils can kill a tree. Then, there is always a threat of seismic activity in Southern California. Those items alone are a recipe for disaster for anything trying to grow in the ground of Murrieta.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Murrieta?
The climate in the greater Murrieta area is a very hot and dry one. Palm trees tend to thrive in these conditions; not so much for other various species of trees. The rainfall averages for Murrieta are only 15 inches with the bulk of that coming in the fall and winter. These conditions are the driving force behind the near extinction of the Engelmann Oak, an oak tree species that is native to Southern California, but also on the endangered species list for protection.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Murrieta?
When you see a tree on or near a power line, be proactive in advance by knowing how to report this type of danger to the proper authority. If you live in the greater Murrieta area, and you see a tree that poses a threat, use this webpage tool designed to report the issue. If you are a PG&E customer, you can also report the tree issue to them by calling 1-800-743-5000. Just remember if the line is down due to a fallen tree, do not approach and keep your distance at all times until the repair is made and the power restored.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Murrieta?
If you have a tree that needs to be removed, how much money should you plan on being removed from your wallet? No two trees are identical, and no two tree removal costs are going to be the same. However, we can give you some averages as it pertains to tree removal in Murrieta. Let’s take a look into the low, high, and overall price paid for tree removal here in Murrieta.
- Average low cost for a tree removal in Murrieta CA $200-$500
- Average high cost for a tree removal in Murrieta CA $764-$1,800+
- Average price paid for a tree removal in Murrieta CA $664
Those figures include things like:
- Average cost of labor in Murrieta, CA
- Costs associated with materials and supplies
- Project costs for site prep (if any) and cleanup
Those figures do not include:
- Fees for permits/inspections
- Material/supplies California state sales taxes
- Material/supplies Murrieta local sales takes
Now, let’s look at some things that could make your final bill a bit more than you originally thought.
How Big is Your Tree to Be Removed?
Those figures above are based on a medium-sized tree under 45 feet tall. What if you have one of those mammoth oaks that needs to come down? The bigger the tree, the more members of our crew it will require to handle the extra work.
Did the Tree Damage Any Property?
This tree that came down; did it destroy anything in its path or did it simply miss everything and land on the ground? If your tree damages your or someone else’s property, you may be held liable, increasing your costs. That is, unless your homeowners’ insurance policy has a provision for that.
Did the Tree Fall Or Will It Need to Be Cut Down?
If this tree has already fallen down and not caused any damage, first thank the tree for missing everything, then celebrate because all you really need is someone from our team to clean up the mess, not cut down the tree! This feature may save you some of your originally quoted costs.
