AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Santa Maria, CA

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Santa Maria?

Trees play an essential role in the beauty and economy of Santa Maria. The most common trees in Santa Maria include numerous species of oaks. The below are the most common threats to the trees throughout the city.

Wildfires

Due to Santa Maria’s weather conditions, there is always a high risk of wildfires. Fire is one of the most destructive forces on the planet, and it doesn’t matter the condition of a tree; it will be destroyed. The high temperatures and windy conditions provide a quick way for the fire to spread, decimating vast tree populations.

The fire departments are always on high alert for wildfires, especially in the dry seasons, such as in times of prolonged drought. If you spot a wildfire near your vicinity, steer clear and immediately call the fire department. Additionally, be conversant with the state of California Wildfire Preparedness Protocols to reduce damage to property and risk to life.

Invasive Pests

A University of California report shows the most devastating invasive pests in Santa Maria are the invasive Polyphagous and Kuroshio shot hole borers. Unfortunately, their origins are unknown, but they cause damage and devastation to various trees in Santa Maria, including sycamore, Engelmann oak, white alder, and avocado. When they tunnel into the tree, they introduce a fungus responsible for the deadly disease fusarium dieback. Infested trees should be removed immediately to prevent cross-tree infection. So, if you suspect your tree is infested with any pests, contact the authorities, who’ll act accordingly.

Drought

Santa Maria has variable climates that can change from rainy to extremely high temperatures. Such drastic weather changes make Santa Maria susceptible to drought. In some extreme cases, drought can go on for an extended period, such as the 2015 – 2019 drought period. The high temperatures and lack of moisture in the soil can lead to stressed and weak trees. Additionally, the dry conditions increase the risk of wildfires that can destroy thousands of acres of tree cover.

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

The city of Santa Maria discourages tree removal but doesn’t restrict it even on private property. However, there are situations where the city takes responsibility to remove trees, such as:

• When a tree is growing near utility lines, such as power lines, water, gas, and sewer mains, or is in a fire zone
• If a tree owned by the city is diseased, infected, dead, a public nuisance, or posing a health hazard to the public
• If the tree is blocking public pathways such as roads, street walkways, or pavements
• If an alien tree is causing stress to the adjoining trees
• After a natural disaster such as a wildfire

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Santa Maria?

Fallen trees in Santa Maria can cause disputes, and they need to be removed. Various circumstances determine tree removal in Santa Maria, and each needs to be handled accordingly. It’s the responsibility of a homeowner to preserve and maintain a healthy tree, and so is the responsibility for tree removal.

However, that’s not always the case, as illustrated:

If You’re a Homeowner?

If a tree falls in Santa Maria, it’s your responsibility as the homeowner to remove the tree and also cover the damages caused. Luckily, you have homeowners’ insurance. The insurance policy normally covers all costs involved in tree removal and damage recovery.

Additionally, check with the city of Santa Maria tree removal laws. You might find your fallen tree falls under the category in which the city offers tree removal services.

If You’re a Renter?

Naturally, a renter in Santa Maria lives in someone else’s property through a lease or rent agreement. Therefore, if a tree falls, your landlord or the property owner is responsible for removing the tree. The landlord can have a homeowners’ insurance policy to help with the tree removal and damage recovery. Also, the property owner can check if the city can assist with the tree removal.

If You’re a Landlord?

Similar to a homeowner, a landlord is responsible for tree removal and any damage recovery in Santa Maria. But, if the tree falls under the category in which the city can help, such as the tree falling on power lines, then the city will remove the tree.

If You’re a Neighbor?

Tree disputes among neighbors are common in Santa Maria and should be handled cautiously. Candid conversations can help to settle such disputes, but that doesn’t always help.

Under California law, if a tree falls on your neighbor’s property due to an act of God, such as a hurricane or fire, then you are off the hook to remove the tree.

Before the tree fell, your neighbor noticed your tree is dead or diseased, but you didn’t act accordingly. Days later, if the tree falls on their property, then you will be responsible for removing the tree and any damages caused since you acted negligently.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Santa Maria?

Santa Maria has alluvial soils formed after the various water bodies around Santa Maria deposited multiple kinds of sediments. As this wine review article illustrates, alluvial soils are fertile, hence the diverse agriculture in Santa Maria.

So, how does alluvial soil affect the trees in Santa Maria?

• Alluvial soil is fertile and rich in minerals, such as potash and lime, ensuring the trees grow healthy and thrive.
• Santa Maria is dry, and therefore, the trees develop horizontal and spreading roots to maximize water capture from upper soil levels.
• Some tree species, especially oak species, thrive and adapt nicely to the alkalinity of alluvial soils.
• Alluvial soils are well-drained, which lowers the chances of waterborne pathogens and diseases, such as Oak wilt rot and Sudden Oak death.

In short, while Santa Maria can have extreme weather conditions, the alluvial soils help the trees to stand tall, healthy, and relatively free of infestations.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Santa Maria?

Like most cities in California, Santa Maria experiences a dry summer climate. This climate is characterized by dry summers and slightly wet winters. Santa Maria is primarily sunny throughout the year, with temperatures varying between 40°f to 75°F, and rain falls 44 days of the year totaling 176 mm, hence the abundant vineyards. The trees have adapted to the dry conditions, and therefore, have spreading roots to tap water from the upper layers of the soil.

• High temperatures diminish and damage the tree’s ability to absorb water, resulting in branch dieback and eventually death of the tree.
• Even the slightest change of weather conditions can cause tree stress. Also, some pests thrive during these weather changes, and a stressed tree is an open season for pests and diseases.
• High temperatures result in a reduced ability to produce oleoresin, a natural oil pest deterrent.
• Santa Maria’s weather creates a balance between high temperatures and precipitation, creating the perfect soil conditions for trees to grow and thrive.

The dry summer weather means the trees have adapted to survive and thrive in drought-like conditions.

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Santa Maria?

Dead trees near power lines in Santa Maria can cause unimaginable damage if not handled at once. From fires to power outages and interruptions that could last for days, there’s no telling what a dead tree near power lines can cause. However, for the sake of your health and safety and the public’s, tree removal near power lines in Santa Maria are best handled by the pacific gas and electric company.

Power utility staff are trained and insured to handle downed trees on power lines. So, if you spot a dead tree near power lines, don’t dare touch it or go near it, lest you get electrocuted or worse. Besides, NESC mandates that all power utility companies should remove dead trees near power lines.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Santa Maria?

Just so you know, tree removal in Santa Maria doesn’t come cheap. There are a lot of elements and factors involved in tree removal. Keep in mind that most homeowners pay an average of $815, with a higher-end cost of $1,630 and a minimum of around $300. Luckily, most of the prices a Santa Maria tree remover will tell you are just estimates, and the final tree removal cost can either increase or reduce depending on certain factors, including:

Proximity to Hazards

If you need to remove a tree in Santa Maria that is growing near or touching power lines, then expect to pay more. There are many risks involved in removing trees near power lines, like electrocution and fires. That’s why you must contact the power utility company to remove the tree, then Tree Triage to haul the tree away for disposal.

Also, if the tree is growing too close to public buildings or amenities, then you’ll be charged more. For instance, if a is growing near a hospital or park, removing the tree risks public safety and our experts’ wellbeing, resulting in higher tree removal charges.

Conditions of the Tree

Removing a healthy upright tree in Santa Maria is cumbersome. To make the work easier, our tree removers might first trim and prune the overgrown branches. On the other hand, a dead or dying tree without any leaves or components is less cumbersome to remove. Cheaper still, if the tree has already fallen, most of the tree removal job has been done.

In such scenarios, we will charge you less than removing a fully grown healthy tree.

Extra Equipment Required

Removing an 80 ft. Oak in Santa Maria is no walk in the park, especially if the tree is near public amenities or power lines. For such tall trees, our tree removal expert will have to use extra equipment, such as cranes or bucket lifts, that’ll cost you an extra $500 or so to trim the tree crowns and branches to remove the tree as efficiently and safely as possible. The use of extra equipment will reflect in the final tree removal charges.

Permits Fees

While the city of Santa Maria doesn’t encourage the removal of live trees, some circumstances warrant the removal, such as if the tree is pausing as a public health and safety threat or is marked as a heritage tree. Before you remove a live tree, you have to apply for a live tree removal permit for a fee. But, if you don’t want any legal implications, ensure you apply for a tree removal permit. To determine the final tree removal charge, add the permit fees, as well.