AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Arvada, CO

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Arvada?

It takes a special kind of tree to do well in the unique climate we have in Arvada and throughout Colorado’s Front Range. Trees have to contend with a high altitude, massive temperature swings, and the arid conditions caused by less than 15 inches of rain annually. While it’s not easy, we do have many hardy native trees that can thrive in Arvada, like the Colorado blue spruce, Douglas firs, and bristlecone pines. Arvada’s trees purify the air, provide shelter for wildlife, and generally enhance our lives. They also significantly increase the value of your property, especially once they reach maturity. 

Of course, all trees need maintenance and care to stay healthy for as long as possible. They also sometimes need to be removed, which will require our team of experienced arborists that can do the job safely and efficiently. Here are some common tree issues that homeowners in Arvada deal with.

Pests and Diseases 

Trees can get sick, just like any other living being, and several types of pathogens target them. Many of Arvada’s trees are susceptible to Cytospora canker, a fungal infection that affects aspens, poplar, and spruce trees, among others. This infection tends to be contracted by mature trees, showing up as brown spots and lesions on the branches or around the trunk.

Pests are another serious threat to the wellbeing of Arvada’s trees, especially non-native insects that don’t have natural predators in Colorado. The emerald ash borer is one of the most destructive examples of this problem, and it’s already killed millions of ash trees across the country. This metallic-green beetle now threatens ash trees in Colorado, with our first confirmed case in Arvada in June 2020. It’s possible to treat ash trees with a chemical insecticide for possible protection from getting infested by EAB, however, this is only a good option with very healthy trees. The advice from Arvada officials is to remove ash trees that are in poor condition and replace them with a different tree species of tree.

Trees affected by pests or disease can become very weak over time, to the point where their structural integrity is very poor, and they become a falling hazard. This situation is one of the most common reasons for the tree removals we handle in Arvada.

Unmanaged Growth

The best investment homeowners can make for the health of their trees is to follow an appropriate pruning schedule for that specific species, which can either be annually or every two years. Pruning is the process of removing any limbs that are weak, diseased, or overgrown. Many common tree diseases tend to start on a few vulnerable limbs and then progressively spread throughout the entire tree, which is why pruning is essential for keeping them at bay. Having these branches removed by us doesn’t harm your tree at all. On the contrary, pruning frees up valuable nutrients that can go into a burst of healthy new growth in the spring.

Problematic Trees 

Trees are a vital asset for any property, but they also inadvertently cause problems, especially if they’ve been planted too close to a home or business. Large local trees have powerful root systems that can spread as much as 30 feet in their search for nutrients. Roots can push against foundations, break through an asphalt walkway, or wrap around sewer pipes. Tree branches can also cause problems, especially if they’re growing into utility lines, and can potentially cause an outage.

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

The city of Arvada is very proactive about maintaining our urban forest, which includes trimming or removing any hazardous trees located on public land, like parks, streets, and other public spaces. When it comes to problematic trees located on private property, it’s up to the homeowner to take care of any issues. However, you don’t need to apply for a permit to manage the trees on your property. This makes the process very straightforward. 

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Arvada?

Arvada has mild weather throughout most of the year, but we do get bouts of extreme weather that can knock down their fair share of trees. The biggest culprits are blizzards in the wintertime as well as hailstorms that happen from late spring to early summer. Trees weakened by diseases are much more likely to collapse, but even healthy trees can be overwhelmed by the strong wind speeds that happen during a storm. Collapsed trees are more than just an eyesore. They attract termites, carpenter ants, and other harmful wood-boring pests that you don’t want on your property. So who’s held responsible for fallen tree removal in Arvada? It’s usually going to be whoever owns the property where the tree was located, but that’s not always the case. 

If you’re a homeowner?

Fallen tree removal on your property is your responsibility, but you can probably get reimbursement from your homeowners insurance. They’re also likely to pay for any damages to your home that were caused by the tree on the way down.

One thing to consider is that these policies tend to have exclusions for negligence, which means they won’t cover collapsed trees that were an obvious falling hazard. Your insurer can potentially deny the claim if they decide that the tree was structurally compromised and should have already been professionally removed. This is one of the many reasons why it’s important to make arrangements for the removal of trees that are dying or have an advanced illness.

If you’re a renter?

Renters in Arvada may be asked to mow the lawn, but they certainly won’t be responsible for handling tree removals or any other sort of major upkeep on the property.

If you’re a landlord?

As the owner, you are legally and financially responsible for removing collapsed trees on your rental property. Depending on the terms of your homeowners insurance policy, removal and any associated damages from the tree’s fall would possibly be covered.

If you’re a neighbor? 

Fallen trees will sometimes end up sprawled partly on a neighboring property. This scenario is not common in Arvada, but it can happen during an extreme storm. According to Colorado law, there’s no liability for trees that collapse during extreme weather because it’s not really anyone’s fault. The exception would be if the collapsed tree was structurally compromised, which makes the homeowner liable for negligence.

As the unlucky neighbor in this situation, you would most likely have to pay for the tree’s removal or as much of it as landed on your property, and your home insurance will probably reimburse the cost. If the insurer has reason to think your neighbor was at fault, then they have the option to pursue a claim for damages against them. Hopefully, you can just stay out of it and maintain good terms with your neighbor.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Arvada?

Colorado stands for reddish in Spanish, which describes the clay-rich soil that’s commonly found throughout the state, including Arvada. Colorado’s soil can be hard to work with because it’s very dense and compact. That means it doesn’t drain water very well or allow for the penetration of oxygen. The roots of trees will start to rot if they don’t have oxygen, and they also dry out without access to enough water. 

While Arvada’s soil is less than ideal, the good news is there’s so much you can do to make it more welcoming and nourishing for healthy trees. The best way to amend our soil’s properties is by adding some form of organic matter, like peat moss, compost, or manure. Add your organic materials to the surface and then mix well to incorporate into the top layer of the soil, at least four to five inches down. This is a great way of loosening up tightly-packed clay soil and letting in plenty of air as well as nutrients and microbial activity. You can improve water absorption in your soil by adding mulch around the base of the tree. Arvada’s Parks Department provides residents with free mulch at various times throughout the year and all you have to is load it yourself. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Arvada?

Colorado is known for wild temperature swings over the year, and they can even happen in a single week. While native trees are the best adapted to this variable climate, older and weaker trees will often be negatively affected. The cold snap we had throughout the state in October 2020 is a classic example, with a record-breaking 70-degree drop from 83 degrees to 13 degrees. Arvada’s trees also have to contend with recurrent winter droughts, especially in recent years. This is where mulching your trees becomes incredibly helpful for moisture retention. It’s also a good practice to water your trees once or twice a month from October until March. 

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Arvada?

Dead (or dying) trees have very poor structural integrity. They’re very likely to get knocked down during a storm, taking the power lines down with them and potentially causing an outage. Beyond the interrupted service, downed power lines are an extremely serious electrocution hazard. 

Xcel Energy has a crew of arborists that do all the necessary maintenance for trees in Arvada that are close to power lines. If you see a dead tree that could pose a problem, you can let them know by calling 800-895-4999. 

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Arvada?

Homeowners in Arvada can expect to pay an average of $765 per tree, but this includes a very wide range from around $175 up to $2,200. The price of tree removal generally reflects how much time and effort the project would take, which depends on various elements. Here are the most important factors that will go into your estimate.

Tree Size and Width 

Bigger trees are much more difficult to cut as well as harder to move once we bring them down. Depending on the situation, we might use special safety equipment to climb the tree and make the cuts in segments. Another option with very tall trees is to use a crane or a bucket truck. Either way, the process is more work-intensive than cutting down a shorter tree.

Location 

Precision is essential for every tree removal, but we have to do a lot more planning if the tree is close to a house or power lines. Even a tree that’s tightly surrounded by other trees will be trickier to remove. We have to take all possible precautions to avoid causing any sort of damage, and this can increase the price. 

Additional Services

Many homeowners will also want us to remove the stump, which is an additional charge and usually involves grinding the stump down until it’s below the surface of the soil. Some clients prefer uprooting the stump completely by digging up the entire root system. This service tends to cost extra with mature trees that have extremely deep roots.