Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Cantonment?
- 2 Does the City of Cantonment Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Cantonment?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Cantonment?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Cantonment?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Cantonment?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Cantonment?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Cantonment?
Three of the most common trees in the area are laurel oaks, swamp cyrilla, and loblolly pines. These trees grow well in the wet, humid climate of Northern Florida. While many of these trees will have long and happy lives, there are many reasons that a homeowner might need them removed. Here are the three most common tree issues Cantonment residents contact us about:
- Land clearing: Sometimes, trees are perfectly healthy; they are just in the wrong location or there are too many of them. Because of the density of trees in certain areas in and around Cantonment, it can be difficult to maintain the property. This overgrowth can also create a fire hazard, which could result in a fine from the city or county authorities. It also makes developing land impossible. By clearing the land of trees, it can make your property safer and more useful. It may also make it easier to sell.
- Storm damage: Cantonment is in a high-risk zone for hurricanes. The area has seen nearly 60 of them in the last 90 years. So, residents understand the risks that come from extreme weather, including the damage it can cause to the area’s trees. Falling branches and completely uprooted trees are common after a big storm. Not only is this bad for the trees, but it’s also a safety risk to the surrounding properties and people. Having trees regularly inspected by our arborists for damage can help prevent issues in the next storm, but sometimes, removal becomes necessary.
- Tree disease: There are several tree diseases common in the Cantonment area. Laurel wilt is one of the most common. It’s caused by a beetle, which burrows into the trunk of the tree. The best way to combat laurel wilt and many other diseases is to remove the tree and burn it before the disease can spread. You should visually inspect your trees regularly and look for unexplained changes in the color or texture of the leaves and bark. If you suspect there is an issue, call our arborists. It’s possible to cure some tree diseases if caught early. If not, removal may be the only option.
Does the City of Cantonment Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
No. The Escambia Department of Water Quality and Land Management handles vegetation management within the county. However, they only manage the trees and vegetation on county-owned property, not on private land. That means if you are dealing with a tree within your property line, then you’ll be responsible for the maintenance and removal of that tree.
The county will often provide debris pick up after a big storm, though. They will publish guidelines (either online or in a local paper) about when and where to leave fallen branches and other debris for disposal.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Cantonment?
Florida Law has plenty to say on this topic. This guide will give you some quick answers, but when in doubt, you should talk to a Florida property lawyer.
If you’re a homeowner?
If the tree was on your property when it was standing, then it’s probably your responsibility to remove it. Legally, your neighbor has a right to remove part or all the tree if it ends up on their property. You may be liable for the cost if you didn’t maintain the tree well before it fell.
If you’re a renter?
If you rent your home, then it will probably be the responsibility of your landlord to remove any fallen trees. Check your leasing agreement to make sure. If a tree falls on your property, you should contact your landlord right away to arrange for a tree removal service.
If you’re a landlord?
Unless you specifically state otherwise in a leasing agreement, any fallen trees are your responsibility to remove from your rental properties. Your tenants can file claims against their renter’s insurance for damages, and you can make a claim on your homeowner’s insurance.
If you’re a neighbor?
If your neighbor’s tree falls onto your property, you have a right to remove it. Whether you need to pay for that removal will be determined by the health of the tree before it falls. If the tree was healthy, then your neighbor isn’t responsible for the cost. If, however, you can prove that they were negligent in the care of the tree, then they will be responsible for the removal. In either case, you should be able to make a claim on your homeowner’s insurance for any damage done by the tree.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Cantonment?
Cantonment has soil that’s great for growing plants. We have fine sandy loam soil, which drains well but retains moisture and nutrients for the plants. That’s part of the reason you see so much vegetation in the area. Not only do the plants thrive on our humidity, sunshine, and rain, but they are getting everything they need from the soil, too.
Trees should be able to send down deep roots, which helps with their growth as well as helps them stay upright in extreme winds. The only issue is that plants love the soil so much, they can take over a property very quickly. That’s why it’s good to have a trusted tree removal service like Tree Triage that can help you maintain your property for both storm and fire safety.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Cantonment?
Storm damage is probably the biggest cause of issues with trees here in Cantonment. Hurricane season lasts six months, starting in June and ending in late November. The aftermath of a hurricane can be devastating, uprooting large trees and sending their limbs flying into cars, houses, and power lines.
The best way to protect your trees and your property is to inspect your trees after every storm, not just a hurricane. If you see any signs of damage, contact us for emergency tree removal service. We can evaluate the safety of the tree and let you know if it is safe, needs a trim, or should be removed altogether. By being proactive, you can mitigate the risk that the tree will cause damage in the next big storm.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Cantonment?
Gulf Power is the power provider for Cantonment. They routinely inspect power lines to make sure vegetation doesn’t pose a risk to the power lines. They will trim any vegetation back if they deem it necessary, including the trees and vegetation on your property. This is at no cost to the property owner, but you won’t be able to schedule it. Gulf Power maintains its own schedule and will check the trees in your area on a rotating basis.
However, if there is a downed tree near a power line, you should contact them right away. They will dispatch one of their contractors to assess the situation, remove the tree, and restore power to the affected area.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Cantonment?
The answer to this question will depend on a few factors, including the size and location of the tree. It’s very difficult for us to tell you how much the project will cost without inspecting the tree in person. However, most removal jobs in Cantonment fall between $300 and $2,000. An inspection will allow our arborists to look at various factors that will affect the cost, including:
The Size
The taller the tree, the more it’s going to cost to remove. A single tree that’s less than 25 feet tall will typically cost under $500 for removal if you choose to leave the stump behind (more on stump removal below). Taller trees cost more to remove because they are much more time-consuming. They’ll require more manpower, too, as well as special equipment to safely remove the uppermost branches. Laurel oaks, one of the most common trees in Cantonment, grow to be about 60 feet in height. So, unless you are removing a relatively young tree, you’ll be paying at the upper end of the price range to take one of these off of your property.
The Location
Some trees take longer to remove because of where they are located. It doesn’t necessarily matter if you are removing a tree from your Ironhorse ranch or your bungalow in the Pensacola Highlands. What matters more is what’s around your tree. If your tree is in an open area without any nearby hazards, there should be much of an increase in your cost. If the tree is near a building or power lines, though, then it may cost you more to remove. That’s because our experts will need to use additional equipment to make sure they can remove the tree safely without impacting the surrounding area.
Stump Removal
If you want to save on the cost of tree removal, consider leaving the stump of the tree in place. However, this is usually more inconvenient in the long run. Stump removal can add hundreds to the cost of your tree removal service. Removing the stump usually means grinding out the remaining tree with special equipment, turning it into wood chips. If you don’t remove the stump, you’ll have to work around it, and it may become diseased in the future. It will also impede any development you want to do on that land. After the initial inspection, we can provide you with an accurate quote.
