Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Ramona?
- 2 Does the City of Ramona Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Ramona?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Ramona?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Ramona?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Ramona?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Ramona?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Ramona?
If you own a property in Ramona that has trees, the best way to protect the health of your trees and the safety of your property is to know what hazards present the greatest danger to your trees. Some of the most common tree issues in the area include
Fires
Southern California is notorious for forest fires and brush fires. While many of these fires primarily affect the vegetation around Ramona rather than residences in the area, your trees may still be at risk. Windy weather, excessive dryness, and crowded together trees all create environments through which fire can quickly spread. Fires can kill trees even if they don’t burn them down entirely. This leaves them susceptible to disease and pests. Fire damage can also weaken the trunk and root system of the tree, making it a safety hazard that can topple after the fire has gone out.
Drought
Drought conditions can lead to quickly spreading fires but that’s not the only risk. Limited rainfall and season after season of hot, dry conditions seriously affect the health of trees (even if they’re native species). Drought-affected trees have undeveloped root systems that can’t lock the tree into the ground in an upright position. Trees without access to sufficient water have small yellow or pale green trees that can’t properly photosynthesize and may also have premature dieback. Any unhealthy conditions also make the trees more vulnerable to fungal diseases, stress, and pests.
Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB)
Polyphagous shot hole borers are invasive beetle species that can kill native oak trees across the Southern California region. While the beetles themselves infest and damage multiple different plant species, causing dieback, stress, and slow growth, they can also bring Fusarium fungus with them. These species settle in on local oak species causing vascular damage to the tree. Together, the combination of polyphagous shot hole borers and Fusarium fungus can kill trees. There is currently no cure for this fungus so affected trees should be removed to avoid letting the fungus spread to neighboring trees.
Does the City of Ramona Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Ramona is a census-designated place and does not offer any direct assistance for property owners with fallen trees or potentially dangerous trees on their properties. However, San Diego County does provide helpful resources regarding combustible vegetation and how to maintain a defensible space around your property to protect against forest fires.
San Diego County does also step in when trees have become unruly and overgrown, which can interfere with traffic signs and electrical wires. Overgrown trees can also have root systems that damage surrounding sidewalks and roads. In these circumstances, the county may trim or remove the trees themselves such as when the trees are on the county right-of-way.
The county also urges residents to contact San Diego Gas & Electric about having trees near power lines trimmed rather than taking on the task yourself.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Ramona?
Any trees that are growing on your property are generally considered to be your property. You have a general responsibility of care and maintenance to keep that tree healthy. But once the tree falls over, determining whose responsibility it is can be more complicated. Consider these common scenarios:
If you’re a homeowner?
If a tree falls onto your property, you’re responsible for arranging for tree removal even if the tree wasn’t originally yours. We recommend setting an appointment for tree removal as soon as possible. Fallen trees can invite pests and tree diseases onto your property, which can damage other trees. Dry dead trees also put your property at greater risk during forest fires. Your home insurance provider may cover all or a portion of the costs of tree removal.
If you’re a renter?
When you rent a property but don’t own it, you aren’t responsible for arranging tree removal. All you can do is inform your landlord about the fallen tree and any structural damage that may have occurred when it fell. However, your insurance provider can help if any of your personal property, such as a vehicle or patio furniture, was damaged in the incident. We recommend calling your insurance agent about your specific policy.
If you’re a landlord?
When you own the property, you’re responsible for handling tree removal even if a tenant is currently living on the property. We recommend arranging tree removal with us as quickly as possible to keep the property in good condition and to minimize the risk of unsafe living conditions or other liabilities. Fast tree removal from our team also helps protect your property from pests.
If you’re a neighbor?
If your neighbor’s tree fell onto your property because of a storm or other natural event, you’re responsible for removing the tree. However, because tree owners have a responsibility of care to their trees, they may be responsible if the tree fell because of neglect and poor maintenance.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Ramona?
The soil in Ramona and most of San Diego is thick clay. Clay soil types are dense and hold onto moisture tightly. This can protect trees to some degree, as it prevents the soil from draining and losing water too quickly. It can also make excess rainwater pool and evaporate away instead of being absorbed. However, it can also truncate developing root systems by being too hard to push through. Aerating your soil or breaking up compacted sections can allow for easier tree growth especially for new trees.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Ramona?
Ramona’s climate and location place it in the USDA Hardiness Zones of 9b and 10a. This makes the climate an excellent choice for fruit trees such as fig trees and banana trees, as well as multiple different varieties of pine and Jacaranda trees and palm. Many of these trees require full, tropical sun exposure, which southern California provides year-round. The sunny weather can overwhelm trees meant for shady or partially shaded environments, however, so those trees should be monitored more frequently.
Ramona’s Mediterranean climate gives it hot summers with mild winters. However, those winters have average lows in the high thirties, so there is still a wide temperature shift from summer to winter. The area also receives very little rain throughout the year, with monthly totals not even reaching an inch from May through October. You can protect your trees with a frequent but moderate watering schedule. One of the biggest risks to trees in the area is damaged from drought and insufficient access to water.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Ramona?
In Ramona and the surrounding county area, San Diego Gas & Electric is responsible for clearing trees away from power lines and ensuring safe conditions. If you see a tree that needs to be pruned or a fallen tree near the power lines, we recommend contacting SDGE. They have a customer contact center for inspections and pruning or tree removal assistance.
Pruning or attempting to remove trees near power lines is extremely dangerous and people in the area may be at risk of electrical shock. It’s best to shuffle quickly away from the site (rather than picking up your feet and running) and then report the problem.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Ramona?
Many different factors can affect the total cost of a tree removal project. Once our tree specialist arrives at your Ramona property, they can give you a much more specific estimate based on the unique conditions of the tree and the surrounding property. However, some of the common factors that can increase or decrease the total cost of your tree removal project include the following:
The Size of the Tree
Tall trees are almost always more expensive to remove than shorter trees, especially if they’re still standing. Towering palm trees, for example, can reach 80 or 100 feet high. These trees need to be carefully cut into pieces that can be safely moved off-site.
Along with the height or length of the tree, it’s also important to consider the thickness of the tree trunk, which can affect the total time needed to cut the tree into removable pieces. Foliage can impact how many trucks we need to remove all the plant matter.
Safety Considerations
When we remove a tree, the factors surrounding why the tree needs to be removed should be considered. For example, if the tree is near or against power lines, we need to work with the power company to shut off the power in that section. Unstable or felled trees near other structures can also pose safety hazards or make removal more difficult.
We also consider the safety of other trees in the area. For example, if your tree needs to be cut down and removed because it’s infested with borers, we do our best to contain the tree and prevent the spread of the pest to neighboring trees.
Additional Services
Tree removal makes up the actual service of removing the tree from your property and having it disposed of but that may not be the only service you need to restore or improve your landscape. Fallen trees may require stump removal, log splitting, or mulching. You may also need other trees nearby assessed by our arborists to ensure they aren’t at risk of disease or pests. All of these services will increase your final bill.
