AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Colorado Springs, CO

What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Colorado Springs?

Beautiful, stately trees are a common landscaping feature in Colorado Springs, but they face a variety of challenges that can endanger their health. Extreme weather and improper landscaping techniques are only a couple of issues that cause varied health problems for trees in Colorado Springs. These are the most common tree issues in Colorado Springs.

Freeze Damage

While winters in Colorado Springs can be harsh, freeze damage is much more likely to occur during the spring and fall. Rapid temperature fluctuations basically catch trees by surprise. When trees haven’t yet entered dormancy for winter or have tender spring growth, sudden temperature plunges can damage tree branches, leaves, and buds. Fall damage is typically noticed in spring when branches don’t fully leaf out. Spring freeze damage generally damages buds. While some trees can recover, others require the removal of a complete branch or damage that invites disease and pests.

Landscaping Errors

Colorado Springs is a beautiful community with well-kept residential and commercial properties. Unfortunately, novice and professional landscapers can make mistakes that compromise the health of local trees.

• Herbicide Damage: Weed control products can be harmful or even fatal to trees. When extended weed control products are applied within a tree’s dripline, severe damage or sudden tree death can occur.
• Improper Xeriscaping: Landscape conversion during new xeriscaping projects can affect tree roots. For instance, herbicides applied to prevent weeds can harm tree roots. Additionally, rock mulch, a popular xeriscaping technique, can increase soil temperature which can damage tree roots as well. 
• Lawnmower or Trimmer Damage: Trees without a mulch layer require mowing directly against tree trunks. String trimmer damage to tree bark can invite tree rot and pest entry. Lawnmowers can damage surface roots as well.
• Root Damage: Construction and landscaping projects can result in damage to tree roots.
• Improper Pruning: Proper pruning requires a precise cut that removes critical tissue and allows the wound to heal. Improper pruning slows the tree’s recovery response and can increase decay.

Storm Damage

Routine tree maintenance helps improve the structure and strength of trees. However, weak trees or those that have poor structure can suffer permanent damage from high winds or sudden storms.

Soil Compaction

Since soil in Colorado City is naturally dense and heavy, it’s easily compacted in heavily-trafficked areas. Parking vehicles close to trees is a major cause for this type of damage. Unfortunately, the damage is often done during the first few passes of a vehicle close to a tree.

Drought

The arid climate in Colorado Springs creates harsh conditions for tree growth which is complicated by heavy clay soil. Drought tolerant trees with the addition of a 2″ to 4″ mulch layer have the best chance of surviving dry seasons in Colorado Springs. However, most trees in the area require supplemental watering. 

Insects and Diseases

A variety of insects and diseases can damage and even kill trees in Colorado City. This is particularly dangerous since diseases and pests don’t just target one tree. They affect entire species, causing trees to slowly die. Dead and fallen trees are particularly dangerous during times of drought, providing easy fuel for the spread of wildfires.

Does The City of Colorado Springs Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?

The urban forest in Colorado Springs is a network of city-owned trees planted along streets, in parks, open spaces, and backyards to benefit all residents of the community. If the tree affecting your property is a city tree, the city of Colorado Springs has options to report a variety of tree issues. You can use an online map to determine if the tree in question is a city tree, then fill out a simple form to request an inspection and further action. 

City Forestry does not conduct maintenance of trees on private property. If you are the property owner and the tree in question isn’t a city tree, removal is your responsibility. However, in the event of storm damage that leaves trees blocking roadways, City Forestry may clear the obstruction from the road and leave debris cleanup for the property owner.

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Colorado Springs?

Fallen trees, partially fallen trees, or damaged trees are a hazard for residents in Colorado Springs. Whether the tree is on your property or affecting your property, it’s important to determine where tree removal responsibility falls. In most cases, the owner of the property will bear the responsibility of fallen tree removal.

If you’re a homeowner?

Privately owned trees in Colorado Springs are the direct responsibility of the property owner. Therefore, if you’re the homeowner, you’ll be responsible for the removal of the tree. 

If you’re a renter?

As a renter, you can generally expect to avoid major land maintenance or repair tasks. Since you don’t own the property or the tree, removal isn’t your responsibility. You can check the Colorado Springs Urban Forest map to ensure the tree is not a city tree before contacting your landlord. While it may not be the landlord’s direct responsibility for tree removal, it will be their job to contact the responsible party. 

If you’re a landlord?

The landlord of a property is also the property owner. This would mean you’re responsible for the removal and cost of getting rid of a fallen tree. However, if the tree is a city tree or falls within the responsibilities of an HOA, you’ll simply need to get in touch with the responsible party.

If you’re a neighbor?

If your neighbor has a tree problem, it’s their responsibility to remove a fallen tree. However, when your neighbor’s tree problem becomes your problem, the answer might not be so simple. A 2018 Colorado Supreme Court case supplied a clear answer for the neighboring tree question in Colorado. When a neighboring tree encroaches onto a neighbor’s land, the tree is still owned by the owner of the land where the tree first grew. However, you are responsible for taking care of tree debris cleanup and damage on your property.

How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Colorado Springs?

The nature of the soil in Colorado Springs is the reason many newcomers to the area have difficulty growing trees that thrive in other states. Like most of Colorado, Colorado Springs has alkaline clay soil that restricts airflow and limits nutrients. Heavy clay soil limits the ability of plants and trees to replenish water loss caused by the arid climate and high winds. Adding extra water makes the problem even worse by compacting the soil and further limiting airflow. The alkalinity of the soil complicates matters further by reducing usable nutrients and resulting in a lack of chlorophyll. The condition is called iron chlorosis and can cause leaves to yellow and veins to stand out. Despite the fact that Colorado’s soil is rich in iron the high levels of calcium carbonate in the soil render the iron unusable to plants. Eventually, as plant tissue continues to die, leaves turn brown and look like they’ve been scorched by fire.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Colorado Springs?

Weather in Colorado Springs can pose one of the biggest challenges for trees. A generally arid climate, high winds, extreme storms, and rapid weather changes cause a variety of health problems for trees. The weather in Colorado Springs affects trees in these ways.

• Freeze Damage: Rapid weather changes like early or late freezes and unexpected snows can damage trees.
• Wind Damage: High winds cause limb breakage and even fallen trees.
• Arid Climate: Drought-tolerant trees are a necessity. Even these trees often require supplemental watering during times of drought and the early years of growth.
• Unexpected Moisture: A particularly rainy season can add weight to heavy, clay-like soil and limit oxygen to tree roots.

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines In Colorado Springs?

The city of Colorado Springs has specific instructions for trees that endanger power lines. “If a tree is compromised or touching a power line, STAY AWAY from it and keep pets/children away. Report immediately to Colorado Springs Utilities at 448-4800.”

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Colorado Springs?

Average tree removal costs in Colorado Springs are between $534.00 and $725.00. This cost doesn’t include permits or inspection. To get a clearer idea of the cost of tree removal in Colorado Springs, it’s important to consider the factors that affect the cost of removal. These are the most common factors affecting tree removal costs in Colorado Springs.

Size of the Tree

The size of a tree is the most important feature of a tree that needs to be removed. The tree size will determine the potential damage that is caused upon falling and the amount of debris that must be removed from the property. The cost of removal or cutting the tree for firewood is typically an add-on. Large trees increase the labor of all tasks associated with tree removal, in turn, increasing the cost as well.

Complexity of the Job

Colorado’s terrain can be unforgiving, which makes complex tree removal projects dangerous work. Hard-to-reach areas, damaged trees, and exceptionally large trees require special tools and extended labor. These requirements will increase the cost of your project.

Multiple Tree Discount

Typically, if you need multiple trees removed from a property, our removal team will assess the entire project instead of simply citing the removal of a single tree. This pricing model generally works in your favor. The reason for the cost deduction is simple. When the equipment and our team are already in place, many of the cost factors that go into tree removal are eliminated. While the cost of removal will still take into consideration how many trees must be cut, it can save you money.