AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Boca Raton, FL

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Boca Raton?

Located in Palm Beach County, Boca Raton is known as the “City Within a Park.” The city is full of beautiful palm trees, as well as other tropical trees, and also has miles of beach. While Boca Raton also has a lot of sunny weather, they also have a lot of hurricanes and storms. And hurricanes are the most common problem trees in the city face. 

• Hurricanes and heavy rainfall are responsible for almost all tree issues in Boca Raton. The annual rainfall is around 66 inches, with a lot occurring from June through September, but Boca Raton actually sees heavy rain throughout the year. 
• Insects, parasites, and other tree diseases are problems for the fruit trees in Boca Raton. Even though they thrive in the tropical climate, and produce yummy fruit, tropical fruit trees, such as mango, papaya, and avocado, which unfortunately also attract insects. 

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

Generally, the City of Boca Raton does not provide assistance with the removal of trees. Except for trees that are considered hazardous, such as trees that are near power lines or blocking public roads, the city does not assist with removal. They encourage residents to prepare for storm season by trimming trees and clearing any debris. Additionally, the city does not assist with removing trees on private property post-storm. The majority of the time it will be your responsibility, although if you have a homeowners association (HOA), it may be their responsibility. You should check with your HOA prior to any storm in order to be prepared. 

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Boca Raton?

When trees fall and need removal, determining who is responsible is not always easy. If a tree falls due to a hurricane, will the city clean it up? If a tree from your neighbor’s yard, or one that lines the street, falls on your property, are you or your neighbor (or the city) responsible? If you are a renter or a landlord and a tree falls, which one of you is responsible? Let’s find out.

If you’re a homeowner?

Trees that fall in your yard, no matter where they come from, are almost always your responsibility to remove. For trees that fall from your yard into the street, you can contact the city if it is blocking a street, but ultimately, it is still your responsibility. Additionally, if you were aware of a previous problem with a tree, such as disease or decay, you are responsible for removal, regardless of where it falls, and most of the time, your homeowner’s policies will not pay for it if they can show you knew the tree was dangerous. Unless you had knowledge of a diseased or decaying tree in your yard, if a tree falls into your neighbor’s home from your yard, it is not your responsibility. But there is something to be said for helping your neighbors.

If you’re a renter?

Usually, if you are renting your home, removing a tree that fell is not your responsibility. However, you should read your lease carefully and verify that you did not previously agree to be responsible for removing any fallen trees. You should call your landlord as soon as possible if a tree falls anywhere on the property, or a tree from your yard falls onto someone else’s property. Most of the time, your renters’ insurance will cover any costs that are associated with damage from the tree. But, if you did something that caused the tree to fall, your landlord will more than likely come to you to pay for the damages and/or removal of the tree and this will most likely not be covered by your renter’s insurance.

If you’re a landlord?

Since you are the owner of the property, you are responsible for removing any fallen trees. In order to assess damage and removal in a timely fashion, you should work with your renter and/or the city if needed. If it turns out your renter did something that caused the tree to fall, usually, you are within your rights to require the renter to pay for removal of the tree and any damage that was caused.

If you’re a neighbor?

Unfortunately, if a tree falls on your property, even if it was not your tree, it is your responsibility to have the tree removed. Your homeowner’s policy will usually cover the damage and costs associated with this though. And if you are able to show that your neighbor knew a tree was dangerous and did nothing, responsibility will fall, pun intended, to them. If you are worried about any of your neighbor’s trees, you should definitely discuss it with them prior to the tree falling, but unless there is something wrong with the tree that makes it dangerous, they do not have to remove it. 

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Boca Raton?

Almost all of the soil in Boca Raton is sandy, and in some areas, is mixed with shell fragments, and is considered excessively drained. This type of soil does not retain moisture or nutrients, which causes problems for trees on two levels. One, trees need to be able to access nutrients and water to grow and thrive. Second, this type of soil is highly prone to erosion, particularly in areas such as Boca Raton that see a high number of hurricanes. This can lead to root exposure and trees that are easily ripped out by hurricane-force winds. Palm trees and Cypress trees typically do well in this type of soil, which is why they are so common in Boca Raton and throughout Florida. Cypress trees can also be beneficial during storm season, as they actually aid in water drainage.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Boca Raton?

Yes, the sun may be beneficial for many trees, but hurricanes are not. And Boca Raton is located right in a major hurricane zone. The tropical climate is good for certain trees but also leads to problems from wind, insects, and heavy rain. The City of Boca Raton has been replacing trees lost during Hurricane Irma with trees that have been shown to be resilient to hurricane force winds, such as the Bald Cypress, the Silver Buttonwood, and the Gumbo Limbo.

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Boca Raton?

Dead trees near, or on, power lines are very dangerous, and you should never try to remove them on your own. Due to the large number of hurricanes in Boca Raton, unfortunately, trees and tree branches falling on power lines happens a lot. Florida Power & Light Company is very proactive in monitoring, as well as maintaining, trees that are near power lines. On their website they have an online form, as well as other tree safety information, that you can fill out if you see a tree growing close to a power line, but if it is across the power line, you should call them right away. They do preventative trimming prior to storm season and will clean up any debris, but it may take a few days for this to happen. Unless it is an emergency situation, prior to removing trees on your property, they will attempt to contact you. If they are not able to notify you beforehand, and they do have to remove trees from your property, they will leave a note on your door.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Boca Raton?

There are generally not any set prices when dealing with tree removal because every tree is different and there are multiple factors to consider. In Boca Raton, on average, it can cost between $491 and $669 to remove a tree. Your homeowner’s insurance, or even your HOA, may cover some or all of the cost, minus a deductible. But this will depend on why the tree is being removed. You may also need a permit for some tree removals, and this will add to the cost of removal. We are able to help you apply for any needed permits.

Tree Size

Bigger trees, both in terms of height and width, are more expensive to remove. Bigger trees require more time and resources, therefore the costs increase as the size of your tree increases. For taller trees, the safest method, and the most commonly used, is the top-down method. As the name implies, this involves cutting sections of the tree starting at the top and working your way down. This process can not safely be done by one person and requires more resources and time, which increases the cost.

Location

In a rural area, tree removal can be easier, since there are generally fewer houses or buildings nearby. However, Boca Raton is most definitely not rural. In fact, the population density of Boca Raton is 3,167 people per square mile. For comparison, the population density for the entire state of Alaska is 2,348 people per square mile. Because of this, more caution and planning are required before removing any trees. This raises the cost of removing trees and also requires more time and people.

Condition

Trees that have already fallen are generally less expensive to remove, though this is strictly related to tree removal costs, not the damage the tree caused on its way down. However, trees that are diseased or partially decayed can be more costly because there is more planning that needs to be done. The most important factor in safely removing a tree is the ability to control it as much as possible. A tree that is decaying could fall unexpectedly and cause more damage, so it makes removal that much more difficult.