Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Napa?
- 2 Does the City of Napa Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Napa?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Napa?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Napa?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Napa?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Napa?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Napa?
Trees in Napa are susceptible to many pests, diseases, and weather problems that can threaten their health. Here are a few of the most common issues that they face and how you can help your tree if it becomes sick.
Fire Damage
California’s wildfires cause significant damage to many trees in the area, leaving them burned, weakened, and at risk of falling. Wildfires are a natural process that promotes new growth, but they can be devastating for trees. If your trees have been burned, you have a few options to consider. Some trees, like oaks and redwoods, have very thick bark that protects them from fire damage, even if they look a little charred on the outside. Many native trees have learned to adapt to wildfires and are amazingly resilient. Our arborists recommend waiting to see whether your tree will survive after a wildfire. If, on the other hand, your trees look fragile or could fall onto your home or the people inside, you may want to call us to have them removed. Even as they’re cut down, new oak trees have learned to sprout from the dead stumps of burned trees.
Bark Beetles
These pests especially love feeding off weakened or dead trees. They burrow under the bark and feed off of the vulnerable flesh of a tree’s trunk, weakening it further. An infestation can quickly kill a tree, causing it to fall on a windy day. If you notice any signs of bark beetles, have our arborists check it out. We’ve got the right products to get rid of an infestation if we can get to the tree early. One of the best ways to prevent an infestation is by keeping your tree healthy. California droughts cause many trees to suffer and leaves them vulnerable to pests like these.
Mediterranean Oak Borer
The Mediterranean Oak Borer was discovered on several valley oak trees in Napa in 2019. These beetles are native to Europe and are especially destructive to trees that are damaged from drought, wildfires, or other diseases. Trees that are infested with these pests show symptoms like defoliation, wilting and broken branches. If you notice any signs of an infestation, call our arborists right away. Mediterranean oak borers will quickly kill a tree and they can spread to surrounding trees easily.
Does the City of Napa Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
If you have a hazardous tree on your property, the County of Napa requires that you remove it. This protects citizens from injury and nearby structures from damage since the tree is at risk of falling. Since wildfires are a common problem in Napa, many trees have been burned and have become hazardous. In response to this large-scale problem, a government-sponsored Debris Removal Program is available for Napa homeowners to participate in. If you’d like to have a fire-damaged tree removed from your property, you can simply apply and they’ll remove it for you at no cost.
The City will also remove any hazardous street trees that are adjacent to your property. As a homeowner, you are responsible for providing regular maintenance to your street trees, but if one needs extra attention, the City will handle it at no cost to you. If Napa’s Parks and Recreation Services Department decides that the tree needs to be removed, they’ll hire an arborist like Tree Triage to handle the job and the City will foot the bill.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Napa?
When trees fall across property lines, things can get messy between neighbors. To avoid these common disputes, it’s best to know the facts ahead of time. Here’s a breakdown of responsibilities so you can be prepared if a tree goes down.
If you’re a homeowner?
As a homeowner, you are responsible for providing regular maintenance to all the trees on your property. If one falls due to an unforeseen event, your homeowners’ insurance will cover the cost. You will only need to pay the deductible.
If you’re a renter?
Renters do not own their homes or anything on their property. If a tree falls, you do not need to worry about handling the tree removal. Your landlord’s insurance will cover the cost. If your personal property is damaged when the tree falls, your landlord’s insurance should also cover the damages. If they dispute these charges, you may need to contact a lawyer to collect the payment for you.
If you’re a landlord?
As a landlord, you are responsible for regularly pruning all the trees on your rental properties. If one falls, your insurance will likely take care of the cost for removal. You will only need to pay your deductible.
If you’re a neighbor?
When a tree falls onto your property, your homeowners’ insurance will take care of the cost. It doesn’t matter if the tree belonged to your neighbor. Your insurance company exists to take care of your home and property, so if there’s a fallen tree on it, they’ll handle the job. The same goes for your neighbor’s property. If you’ve properly cared for your tree, but it falls onto your neighbor’s property due to an unforeseen event like a storm, your neighbor’s insurance will take care of the cost of tree removal. If your insurance company can prove that your neighbor had been negligent with a hazardous tree, they may go after your neighbor’s insurance for payment.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Napa?
Napa’s soil is very deep and well-drained. Because of its ability to hold moisture, this nutrient-rich soil is a dream environment for growing many native plants and trees. There are many different types of soil throughout Napa County and the Napa County Resource Conservation District can assess your soil to see exactly what type you have on your property. Once you know your soil type, you can make amendments by adding mulch, compost, or fertilizers that the soil may be lacking.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Napa?
Napa sees its share of droughts and wildfires and trees suffer tremendously. In fact, Napa County is currently suffering its driest year in 127 years. During a drought period, make sure you’re properly caring for your trees. Water your trees more often and consider adding a layer of mulch around your tree’s base. The mulch will help to lock in moisture near the tree’s roots and it will protect them from the heat.
Wildfires also threaten trees in Napa. If your tree has been damaged, many arborists suggest that you wait patiently to see if the tree will survive. Many native trees are resilient and will continue to grow after suffering fire damage. Pay special attention to any damaged trees and watch for signs of infestation or disease. Pests especially love to attack weakened trees and you will need to combat any problems at the first sign of pests or diseases.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Napa?
PG&E is responsible for pruning any street tree branches that interfere with power lines between poles. As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to prune branches near your service line. Your service line is the power line that extends from a pole to your home. If you plan on pruning your branches near this line, contact the company first, and they’ll shut off your power so you can prune the trees safely.
The company also works to remove hazardous trees near power lines that have been damaged in recent wildfires. If you have a tree that needs to be removed, contact PG&E at (888) 421-1700. They will remove the tree at no cost to you.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Napa?
Tree removal in Napa can cost anywhere from $250 to $2,200. Every tree removal job is unique so it’s always best to call our arborists for a quote. We’ll ask you a few questions to determine the cost of your specific job. Some of those questions are:
How Big is Your Tree?
Tree size will be the biggest factor in determining your final price. We’ll measure the height of your tree and the diameter of the trunk to determine the cost. A large tree makes for a more complicated job that takes additional time and resources. If, on the other hand, your tree is small and thin, it will likely take less time and effort for our arborists to remove it.
Where is Your Tree?
If your tree is near your home or other structure, it’s going to cost you more to have it removed. The last thing we want to do is damage your home or power lines in the process, so we’ll take additional measures to keep everyone – and everything – safe while we remove your tree.
How Can We Get to Your Tree?
Trees that are hard to reach make things a little more difficult for our arborists. We’ve got a lot of equipment to bring to the worksite, and if your tree is in a difficult location, we’ll have to work harder to access it. Because of this, trees that are off the beaten path are typically more expensive to remove.
