Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Westbrook?
- 2 Does the City of Westbrook Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Westbrook?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Westbrook?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Westbrook?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Westbrook?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Westbrook?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Westbrook?
In Westbrook, trees face a variety of issues just like anywhere else. Some of the more typical problems you might encounter are things like termites, mold, and tree diseases. Unless they’re from an uncommon source or part of a major infestation, these kinds of issues are usually easy to deal with by simply removing or rehabilitating the tree in question.
That doesn’t mean all Westbrook tree issues are this easy to solve, though. For instance, the European gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) is an incredibly dangerous invasive species, stripping leaves of their flesh and killing trees all across the eastern part of the country. The hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) is also a major threat to the hemlock trees specifically, having already caused a ton of havoc for trees in other areas. These and other more serious pests are a major concern for Westbrook’s trees. To help stop an infestation, contact our team to keep your trees healthy and well-cared for, and make sure to report any sighting of these bugs or their larvae as soon as you see them.
Does the City of Westbrook Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Westbrook does not currently have any programs to assist residents in removing their trees. If you have a tree on your property that needs to go, it’s going to be your responsibility to remove it.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Westbrook?
When a tree falls in Westbrook, who’s in charge of getting it removed from your lawn? That answer might be a little more complicated than you expected. Various laws surround tree removal responsibility, so check out this short breakdown of different scenarios you might encounter when there’s a tree in the yard you need to be removed.
If you’re a homeowner?
If you’re a homeowner, odds are you own your home and the land it sits on. In that case, that also makes you the proud owner of any trees growing out of your lawn. Since you own these trees, you’ll also be responsible for having them removed if they fall over. While there is an exception in the event someone else knocks your tree over (in that case, they’ve got to pay), you’re going to have to handle the situation in the majority of cases.
If the thought of paying for tree removal is getting you down, don’t panic just yet. Before you call us for a removal job, see if your insurance covers it. Many homeowner’s insurance policies have scenarios in which they’ll pay for the removal costs for you, so you could save big on something that you need done.
If you’re a renter?
As a renter, you most likely don’t own the house or the land you live on. In that case, you also don’t own any of the trees on that land (you might not even have the ability to garden to begin with), so you aren’t responsible for any fallen trees on the lawn. Considering that the landlord owns that land and that tree, we know from the example of the homeowner that it’s their property and their responsibility to have it removed when it falls over. That said, you might still be on the hook for all of this if you decided to knock the tree over yourself, plus any other penalties you might get for destruction of property.
If you’re a landlord?
Like we discussed earlier, landlords are responsible for removing any trees that fall on their property. As Connecticut tenant and landlord law specifies, landlords must keep the property (common areas included) safe and clean to rent it out. Considering fallen trees are a great home for pests and disease, leaving one to rot in a tenant’s front yard would be a violation of this law.
As with homeowners, landlords may be able to cover tree removal costs with insurance depending on how their policy is written. As mentioned earlier, tenants or other third parties who knock over a tree on rented property could also be in charge of the removal and face criminal penalties for destruction of property, too.
If you’re a neighbor?
Neighborly disputes are always a hassle, especially when they involve a tree falling through your garage. If a neighbor’s tree falls onto another’s lawn, figuring out who’s responsible for removing it will be a question of ownership. Ownership in this sense is determined by the trunk, in that the owner of a tree is the person who owns the land where the trunk grows. This means that, regardless of any roots or branches that might cross the property line, whoever had the tree’s trunk on their lawn when it was upright is the owner.
In short, this means that whoever owned the tree is responsible for having it removed. Outside the rare instance where a tree’s trunk has grown beyond the property line (in which case, you’re co-owners), this shouldn’t be too hard to figure out. Additionally, tree owners are not responsible for paying out any damages caused by a tree falling due to natural circumstances. This means you won’t also have to pay for the damage to a garage your tree inflicted if it blew over in a storm or the like. This isn’t the case if your negligence caused the tree to fall, though, since it would be your actions that directly caused the damage. Either way, a “sorry for breaking your house” gift is encouraged to mend your relationship.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Westbrook?
According to the Middlesex County soil survey data, the soil in Westbrook is largely composed of euic, mesic Typic Sulfihemists. The soil is largely organic in nature and poorly drained, constantly taking in water and other substances from the ocean along the coastline. This also means that sand and silt are not uncommon to find mixed through the ground. The soil tends towards being more acidic to neutral in pH.
Overall, this makes the soil in Westbrook somewhat harsh to grow inside if they aren’t suited for these unique conditions. Look for trees that thrive in acidic soil and don’t mind lots of watering. The black birch is a great example of this and can be found in many places along the Connecticut coast. The eastern hemlock is also popular for its resiliency, though it does require a bit more management for the proper soil saturation.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Westbrook?
In general, Westbrook is a fairly moist, warm town. It receives an average of 47 inches of rain during the hot months and 26 inches of snow during the milder cold months. Humidity is high for most of the year thanks to being right next to the ocean. Like this would imply, the town is susceptible to tropical storms and lightning.
All of this needs to be considered when planting trees in the area. Anything planted in the area needs to be able to tolerate warmth and moisture while also adapting to the sub-freezing temperatures during the coldest parts of winter. Trees that have deep root systems will be more storm-resistant than others.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Westbrook?
Westbrook local government is in charge of caring for and removing trees on public property, so any dead trees standing near power lines are something they’ll want to know about. In most situations, someone will come out to remove that tree before you have a chance to notice. If they’re slacking off a bit, though, you can get in touch with local officials to let them know to take a look at things.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Westbrook?
Tree removal in Westbrook usually costs around $700, but pricing can range from $130 to $1,900 or more. This isn’t all there is to your bill, however. Different factors can affect the final cost you pay when you use our services. Here are some of the more common things that change your bill beyond just the standard removal rate.
Size
The size of a tree is one of the biggest things that affect how much it costs to remove it. As you can probably guess, bigger trees mean they cost more. This has to do with the additional time and equipment needed to safely take a tall tree down. While it’s not always this exact, expect that you’ll pay around $100 more for every 20 feet that a tree stands in excess of 25 feet.
Number of Trees
Depending on the job, you might pay a per-tree removal price instead of a per-hour price. If this is the case, it shouldn’t be a surprise that having more trees to remove means a bigger bill. Even if this isn’t how your removal goes, having more trees to remove on the same piece of land will inevitably mean more time spent on the job.
Accessibility
Being able to access a tree is critical to its removal. In this sense, where your tree is located will make a difference when it comes time to pay up. If we’re fighting through a dirty, crowded lawn to get to your tree, that’s going to be a tougher, longer job. There’s also the consideration for location in terms of the equipment we can safely use and how to plan the tree’s fall to avoid damage. After all, busting out big machines in a residential neighborhood is a lot more troublesome for everyone than going at it with a chainsaw.
