AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Lakewood, CO

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Lakewood?

Sadly, the beauty of the forest is fading. The evergreens are facing infestations that continue to be out of control like the Spruce Beetle, Mountain Pine Beetle, Douglas-Fir Beetle, and the Pine sawfly. These insects are slowly killing the beautiful trees, leaving dangerous fire hazards in their wake. They continue to be battled and monitored. Deciduous trees do not get a pass on the infestation front either, with Western Tent Caterpillars and Large Aspen Tortrix defoliating them. Trees are also prone to cancer diseases that stunt their growth and kill their limbs. Getting an annual inspection from our arborists will be informative on the health of your trees and what to do to prevent infestations and diseases.

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

While the forestry department provides tips and tricks to keeping your property’s trees healthy, they do not aid with the removal of dead trees or limbs. Damaged trees are encouraged to let a professional like Tree Traige trim the limbs and advise on the future of the tree. Some damaged trees, though unsightly, will fully recover and spread out beautifully with minimal interference. Storm damages from natural disasters may be covered under FEMA’s helpful jurisdiction. Some insurances will cover tree removal and debris clean-up.

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Lakewood?

With over 33,000 street trees in the city of Lakewood and many more in private residential areas, there is bound to be a tree fall from time to time. While it is imperative that neighbors work together to resolve issues and assist one another with clean-up, there are certain responsibilities involved.

If you are a homeowner?

Property owners are responsible for the maintenance and health of all vegetation on the property. Should a tree be damaged, diseased, infested, or dead, it is the owner’s responsibility to remove the tree or have it properly treated to prevent the spread of disease and infestation. Trees that have fallen from an Act of God, are responsible for their own property damages and removal. Most insurances will cover damages from Acts of God to assist with clean up, however, they will not reimburse if the tree was neglected prior to the incident.

If you are a renter?

Renters are the eyes and ears of landlords who do not live near the property. Their major duty is to report infestations and diseases prior to the tree becoming irreparably damaged. Depending on the terms in the lease or rental contract they can also oversee pruning and removal of fallen limbs. However, most of the time that Acts of God fell a tree will be the responsibility of the landlord to care for. Renters should maintain renter’s insurance and flood insurance to be sure that their property is covered in case of any damages.

If you are a landlord?

A landlord is a property owner and holds all the rights and responsibilities of such. However, depending on the contract, they may be responsible for maintaining vegetation health as well as structural health. Even if it is contracted that the renters are responsible for the maintenance of the trees on the property, it is still the landlord’s responsibility to ensure the work is being done. It is the landlord’s property and code violations that will be drafted in their name, not the renters’. Fallen trees from storms will be the landlord’s responsibility to clean up and remove, and it’s good for the relationship with the renter to agree on how to clean up debris.

If you are a neighbor?

Neighbors have the unique ability to trim trees encroaching and endangering their property. However, it is kind and prevents dissension to obtain permission or at least have a discussion with the tree’s owner prior to trimming. Fallen trees over property lines require both property owners to clean and remove their own portion of the debris. Both can make a claim to their insurance to obtain assistance with removal costs. However, the only instance the tree owner is totally responsible is if the tree was deemed dead or diseased before the incident, providing grounds for neglected tree suit. A discussion with your neighbor could settle the debate without involving lawyers.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Lakewood?

The soil in Lakewood is great for grasslands and tree growth. With its composition of well-draining clays with some areas mixing with loam and alluvium, it provides a great foothold for trees to anchor themselves. With the well-draining soils, root rot is not as prevalent as in sandy areas, reducing the hold the fungi have on the forests here.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Lakewood?

Temperatures are normally mildly cool with dry air due to their high elevation. Mostly in the 40-degree range, year-long summers can get as hot as 90 or above. Trees love cool dry weather that provides ample sunshine. However, the winter covers the trees in snow and freezes the grounds causing trees to go dormant to save their growth. The melting snows always provide fresh water and nutrients that allow the trees to kick-start their spring growths.

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Lakewood?

Never trim a tree branch near a power line, especially within 10 feet as the line and tool can cause arching and electrocution. Power providers have the right to maintain their lines right-of-way including trimming or removing trees that could be hazardous to the line. Xcel Energy provides ample assistance for the removal and trimming of hazardous trees between poles. However, they do not deal with trees that endanger the pole to home connection as it does not endanger more than one home’s electrical system. You are still required to hire a tree trimmer like Tree Triage who is certified to trim around electric lines to have the tree removed or trimmed.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Lakewood?

Trimming and removing trees can be a costly endeavor. Sometimes, insurance companies will be able to reimburse some costs. Depending on the reason for the trimming or removal there may be assistance programs available to help. However, if you are seeking guidance for your own cost-effective trimming there are a number of factors that can increase the final bill. Some of these include the tree’s health, height and girth, and additional services. The average cost for removing a smaller tree runs around $290, while larger, more complicated trees can top $2,000.

Tree Health

A healthy tree does not require as much precaution as a damaged or diseased tree does. Sometimes damaged trees run the risk of breaking apart while being cut through. This can harm not only our specialists cutting the tree, but those under the tree if pieces come loose without the proper securing lines. Cost does increase to remove damaged or dead trees because of the increased risk. The cost will also increase with proximity or overhang of trees over structures. These safety hazards or electric line hazards increase the cost and can delay the work done as power between pole and home sometimes must be turned off for our certified trimmers to work.

Height and Girth

The biggest factor in a job’s cost is how big the tree is. Taller trees must be cut in sections and roped down for safety. The more sections we must cut the more it will cost. Also, how big a tree it could make it cost more than it will take longer for the trimmer to get through the trunk. Trimming large limbs works in the same fashion, and so, the more they must trim the more they have to charge. Each cut increases our labor time, the equipment maintenance, and the other crew members who maintain the safety of our logger in the tree. Short trees will not take as much and may not even require climbing to bring down. In addition, more trees on the property that need to be trimmed or removed, the price will go up and sometimes reach over $2,000.

Additional Services

Basic tree removal services do not include removal of the stump. You can also request firewood cutting, limb chipping for mulch, and stump removal. However, there is an extra cost to each, and it is better to discuss what you want to be done with us prior to the work beginning. When having a stump removed, ask about our covering services and root mitigation to prevent any future growth. Sometimes, we will be able to take trees for lumber and that can reduce the final bill. However, diseased, or infested trees are not recommended being used for firewood or mulch as it poses a risk to other trees on the property. Remember to not move firewood away from an area used to prevent the unintentional spread of disease and infestations especially if the infection was unknown.

Remember that annual inspections or even biannual inspections by our arborists can help prevent or treat tree damage before the need for removal becomes necessary.