AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Porterville, CA

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Porterville?

When you drive down the city streets of Porterville, you see a variety of trees, from deciduous shade trees to evergreens. Each tree species has something unique to offer, including protection from the elements, habitats for small mammals, birds, and insects, and aesthetic appeal. But, trees are also living organisms and they’re susceptible to disease and illness. The most common tree issues we see in Porterville include:

Navel Orangeworm

Named for the navel orange trees it was found on in Arizona, the navel orangeworm is moth larvae that can decimate citrus and nut crops, which has become a major issue in Porterville and the surrounding areas. The adult moths are unremarkable and often go unnoticed as they lay their eggs along the furrow of nutshells. As the fruit ripens, the larvae go through five stages of growth to become reproducing adults.

The problem with navel orangeworm is that when the moths lay their eggs, they often deposit spores of aflatoxin-producing fungi. The fungus is then spread through the tree by the larvae, as they feed. This fungus causes the fruit and nuts of an infected tree to become carcinogenic and inedible. 

Asian Citrus Psyllid 

This minuscule insect causes serious issues for citrus plants as well as their relatives. In addition to being nasty invaders that like to feed on trees, they also carry bacteria that cause Huanglongbing disease (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease. This devastating disease affects homeowners in Porterville as well as the agricultural growers in the area.

Signs of an infestation in your trees include leaves that shrivel and curl, green, hard fruit even when ripe, twig dieback, yellowing shoots, and out-of-season defoliation of the tree. Unfortunately, even if the psyllids aren’t present, the bacteria can still infect surrounding trees. Furthermore, once a tree is infected, there is no cure.

Sudden Oak Death

This disease is caused by a water mold pathogen called Phytophthora ramorum, which is deadly to not only oak trees, but a variety of other tree and plant species in Porterville as well. Sudden oak death (SOD) is so deadly that there are restrictions as to how you can dispose of infested wood. In most cases, wood that’s confirmed to have come from a tree with SOD must stay where it is.

Signs of SOD include spots on the tree’s leaves, twigs that are dying back, and bark cankers or sores in the tree’s bark. If cankers are present, there is often also a secretion of black or reddish material. Trees that are infected with SOD rarely survive, and surrounding trees are at risk of infection as well.

Poor Maintenance

In addition to pests, fungi, and molds, we also see a lot of trees that haven’t been properly maintained. Over the years, branches may have been hacked off because they were in the way, with little regard for the tree’s shape or health. Some homeowners choose to hat-rack their trees, effectively removing the crown and rendering the tree weak and vulnerable. Still, other trees have been completely neglected, receiving absolutely no care at all.

While trimming the trees on your Porterville property yourself seems like a great way to save money, it’s usually not a good idea. If you’re not careful, you’ll put the tree in jeopardy by causing injuries to its trunk or branches. A bad prune job can harm your tree, causing it to get sick and die.

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

As in most cities across the country, Porterville doesn’t assist in removing trees from private residences or any other privately-owned property. If there’s a problem tree on your land, it’s up to you to take care of it. So, if a tree needs to be trimmed or removed, you’re going to have to foot the bill and call us to make all the necessary arrangements. 

If, however, the problem tree belongs to the city of Porterville, you’ll want to let someone at the Porterville Public Works Department know. It’s the city’s responsibility to maintain trees on city property, along city streets, and in public parks. 

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Porterville?

To establish responsibility for a fallen tree in Porterville, first, you have to determine who owns it. According to California law, if the tree grows solely on your property, even if the roots spread, it’s your tree. If any part of the trunk also grows on a neighbor’s land, the tree belongs to you both. When a tree falls, who’s liable? That depends on where the tree was before it fell. Dead or otherwise compromised trees are the liability of the tree owner. Healthy trees knocked over in an earthquake or storm are not.

If you’re a homeowner?

When one of the trees that grows in your Porterville yard falls completely onto your property, it’s up to you to clean up the mess. Your homeowners insurance policy will likely cover some or all of the expense of tree removal and debris cleanup. You’ll also rely on your insurance to help pay for repairs to your home, garage, or other structures that may be damaged when a tree falls. 

If you’re a renter?

Generally, there’s no liability for a renter when it comes to a tree falling in Porterville. The owner of the property, whether an individual landlord or property management company, is responsible for maintaining a safe rental property, which includes maintaining the trees. If a tree falls on your rental property, call the landlord right away and contact your renters insurance company to file a claim for any personal damage you sustain.

If you’re a landlord?

Owning an income property in Porterville is a lot like owning a private residence when it comes to responsibility for the trees on the land. It’s up to you to make sure that the trees growing on your property are healthy, well-maintained, and safe. If one happens to fall, you need to contact us to have it removed and to clean up the debris. You may also need to provide temporary housing for tenants affected by the fallen tree.

If you’re a neighbor?

If a neighbor’s tree falls onto your property and causes damage, it’s natural to want them to pay for it. But, that may not be what happens. If a healthy tree falls due to strong storms, an earthquake, or other natural phenomena, it’s an act of God and the tree owner isn’t responsible. If the tree is clearly dead or otherwise compromised, however, the owner of the tree may well have to cover the tree removal costs.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Porterville?

Much of the soil in the San Joaquin Valley region is described as alluvial soil or soils left behind by surface water. They’re highly fertile soils that have a range of consistencies. It’s not uncommon to find high sand content in Porterville on one property and even higher levels of clay on a neighboring property. The ratio of soil components will determine how well trees grow in it. If the soil is too sandy, there won’t be enough water and nutrients. If there’s too much clay, trees are stunted by the expansion and contraction of the soil. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Porterville?

Perhaps one of the worst things that can happen to a community and its trees is a drought. Unfortunately, the city of Porterville and the surrounding areas have experienced this debilitating natural disaster time and again. The latest drought lasted 8 years from 2011 to 2019. On the other end of the spectrum, strong thunderstorms with heavy rain, fierce winds, and violent lightning create the perfect environment for tree damage.

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Porterville?

As you can imagine, trees and power lines are a deadly combination. Never touch a tree or branch that is close to or touching a power line. If you do, there’s a good chance you’ll be electrocuted. Instead, get yourself and everyone else out of the area and call Southern California Edison to report the problem tree. They’ll send a qualified crew of licensed professionals who know how to safely handle trees near dangerous power lines. 

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Porterville?

If you ask around, you’ll find out that most of your neighbors in Porterville who’ve had a tree removed paid about $1,000, on average, with most removals totaling between $200 and $2,200. So, you should expect to pay the same, right? Not necessarily. The cost of tree removal varies, depending on: 

Tree Size

Big, mature trees are heavy, unruly, and difficult to remove. It takes heavier equipment, more rigging, and additional crew members to get the job done safely. Larger trees also produce more debris that needs to be moved. That means a higher cost.

Accessibility

Trees that are on steep slopes, restricted access areas, or near structures are particularly difficult to remove. We need to bring in special equipment, adequate rigging, and enough crew members to safely do the job. Trees that are more difficult to get to also take longer, as we need to evaluate the process one step at a time.

Number of Trees

Although you might think that having more trees removed means more money, that’s not always true. Several small trees may cost significantly less than one large tree. If you have a variety of trees that need to be removed, we’d be happy to give you a quote based on all the trees, their sizes, and locations on the property.