AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Waterbury, CT

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Waterbury?

In recent years, trees in Waterbury have died at a much faster rate than is normal and there are several factors to blame. Here are some of the most common issues affecting trees in Waterbury so you can spot a problem early and have your trees assessed by our arborists.

Emerald Ash Borers

These beetles threaten ash trees across the state and can cause a tree to become sick and die in as little as two years. Female emerald ash borers lay their eggs under the bark of ash trees, and when the larvae hatch, they feed on the flesh inside. This causes an ash tree to weaken and eventually die while the beetles spread to new trees to lay their eggs. If you notice any sign of these sneaky pests, call our arborists right away. Successful treatments are available, but they work best if applied early. 

European Gypsy Moths

European gypsy moths have done significant damage to the trees in Connecticut. Before they become moths, caterpillars feed off of the leaves of over 300 different species of shrubs and trees across the state. This causes trees to quickly defoliate, leaving them susceptible to other infestations and diseases. The caterpillars can devastate a tree very quickly and spread to nearby healthy trees, so if you notice any sign of gypsy moths, have our specialists check them out immediately. Early treatment can save your trees.

Anthracnose

This fungal disease can attack many species of trees, but it affects sycamores more often. It causes leaves to get spots, and brown patches around the veins of leaves. Eventually, they will curl up and fall off. Anthracnose won’t kill a tree, but will severely damage it, leaving your tree at risk of getting other diseases, becoming infested by pests, or at risk of falling during a storm. 

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

Each city in Connecticut has an appointed tree warden who is responsible for all of the public trees in the city, including your street trees. In Waterbury, your tree warden is Mark Lombardo, and he can be reached at 203-574-6793 or by email at mlombardo@waterbury.org. If your street trees — the trees on the edge of your property near the street — need to be pruned or have issues, you need to contact your tree warden. They will send out an arborist to assess and take care of any street tree’s needs at no cost to you, and that includes tree removal and replacement.

If, on the other hand, you have another tree that needs attention on your property, it will be up to you to hire our arborists to handle the tree removal.

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Waterbury?

If a tree falls during a storm, or other unforeseen events, it can be difficult to determine who is at fault. Here’s what the experts have to say about liability and payment.

If you’re a homeowner?

Homeowners are responsible for providing regular maintenance to all of the trees on their properties. That includes trimming branches and having trees removed that are at risk of falling during a storm. If a tree falls on your property, your homeowner’s insurance will step up and pay for any repairs. You will only need to cover the deductible.

If you’re a renter?

Since renters don’t own their homes or properties, they are not responsible for the trees or anything else within the property lines. If a tree falls, your landlord’s insurance will pay for the damages and cleanup. If your personal property is damaged from a fallen tree, their insurance will cover those costs as well. If they are stubborn about payment, you may need to call a lawyer for help in collecting the money you’re owed.

If you’re a landlord?

As a landlord, you are responsible for taking care of the trees on all of your rental properties. If one looks sick or needs to be removed, you need to take care of these issues at the first sign of a problem. If a storm blows through and a tree falls, your insurance will pay for the tree’s removal and any damages ensued. You will only be responsible for paying the deductible.

If you’re a neighbor?

Neighbors often argue over trees that fall across property lines and local lawyers have spoken on the topic many times. In cases where a tree falls onto your property, your homeowner’s insurance will pay to have it removed, regardless of whether the tree belonged to you or not. Your insurance is responsible for taking care of your home and property, so if a tree lands in your yard, your insurance will take care of it. The same can be said about your neighbor’s insurance. If a tree – whether it’s their tree or yours – falls onto your neighbor’s property during a storm or other unforeseen event, your neighbor’s insurance will pay for the tree’s removal. 

Things can get muddy if a tree falls onto your property and your insurance can prove that your neighbor had been negligent with the tree’s care. In this case, they may go after your neighbor’s insurance for payment.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Waterbury?

A New Haven County soil survey was completed that found Waterbury to have mostly Windsor soils. This soil type is found across Connecticut and is great for growing Connecticut shade tobacco as well as many other fruits, vegetables, shrubs, and ornamental trees. Windsor soil is very deep and drains very well — almost too well. Since Connecticut is prone to droughts, this soil type has difficulty maintaining moisture and will need lots of extra irrigation in dry periods.

Trees need a lot of water so you’ll have to give them extra care during dry spells. If you’re concerned about your tree getting enough water, you can take extra steps to retain moisture. Composting is a great way to add nutrients to your soil, and it can help your Windsor soil to retain moisture so your trees can stay well hydrated.

You can also add a layer of mulch around the base of your trees for added protection. Mulching greatly benefits trees by adding a layer of protection to the ground near your tree’s roots. The mulch will help keep the ground at a moderate temperature and will lock in moisture so your tree’s roots won’t suffer during long periods without rain. And as the mulch breaks down, your tree will receive healthy nutrients as they seep into the soil near its roots.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Waterbury?

Trees in Waterbury face all kinds of weather-related threats each year. Here are a few of the most common issues we’ve seen and how you can help your trees to weather most storms.

Severe Storms, Hurricanes, and Tornadoes

Connecticut sees a lot of severe weather each year and the trees in Waterbury withstand threats like high winds, flooding, and lightning damage. Native trees are strong and have adapted to these conditions, but weakened trees do not fare well when storms blow through. Most often, when we’re called to remove trees that have fallen during a storm, the tree had already been sick or dead. When a tree is infested or diseased, the tree’s integrity is affected and they’re unable to withstand high winds. Their branches can break off and sick trees can easily be uprooted, causing significant damage to the surrounding property. 

Winter Weather

Waterbury winters are very cold, and the city experiences a lot of snow and ice. Trees that are unhealthy can’t handle the added weight of snow or ice on their branches, and they can break and fall onto your home or cars. 

It’s important to provide regular maintenance to the trees on your property so you can prevent limbs and trees from falling during inclement weather. Prune away dead branches and have our arborists check your trees if you notice any symptoms of disease or pests. A healthy tree is much more likely to remain standing during a storm or cold snap.

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Waterbury?

Eversource provides routine maintenance to all of the Waterbury trees that line the streets. If your tree’s branches are encroaching upon power lines, the company will prune them and will clean their mess up at no cost to you. If you’d like to keep the wood, you can contact Eversource and they’ll neatly stack the wood on the edge of your property to keep.

As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to prune away branches that are growing near your service line. If branches are touching your service line, Eversource will temporarily cut off your power and will trim the branches themselves. 

If a tree needs to be removed, Eversource will cover the cost, but the stump removal will be your responsibility to handle. You’ll need to call our arborists to grind the stump at your expense.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Waterbury?

In Waterbury, tree removal can cost anywhere from $300 to $2,200. Many factors go into determining your final price, and our arborists can give you a quote based on your specific situation. Some of the factors we consider when calculating your cost are listed below.

Tree Size

Your tree’s size will likely be the greatest determining factor when it comes to the price. Small trees are easier to remove, so bigger trees will likely cost more. When quoting a price, our arborist will measure the tree’s height and the diameter of its trunk. Extra branches and foliage will also add to the final price.

Tree Location

If your tree is located near your home, power lines, or other structures, these obstacles will cause your price to be higher. We work very carefully to keep your property and our arborists safe, and if there are obstacles in the way, we’ll have to take additional measures during your tree’s removal.

Accessibility

It takes a lot of equipment to safely remove a tree and we’ve got to find a way to bring it all to the worksite. If your tree is hard to reach, the extra effort will be factored into your final cost. A tree that is near a road will be much easier to access and will cost less.