Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Fort Lauderdale?
- 2 Does the City of Fort Lauderdale Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Fort Lauderdale?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Fort Lauderdale?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Fort Lauderdale?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Fort Lauderdale?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Fort Lauderdale?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Fort Lauderdale?
Trees help keep the air clean, provide shade, beautify your property, and provide valuable habitats for Fort Lauderdale wildlife. Keeping your trees healthy and happy is imperative. But, even with your best efforts, there are still some unavoidable tree issues you may experience in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas including:
Lightning Strikes
Florida is the lightning capital of the US. With temperatures as high as 60,000° F, a lightning strike can instantly kill a tree. A tree that’s been struck by lightning can also catch on fire which can cause damage to your home and property. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to protect your trees from being struck by lightning. All you can do is have the tree removed if it’s damaged severely. However, many trees survive multiple lightning strikes in their lifetime.
Compacted Soil
One of the most common problems Fort Lauderdale residents encounter with their trees is extremely compacted soil. Homeowners often make the mistake of building over tree roots or laying down concrete on top of the roots. This practice inhibits root growth, keeps roots from gaining a proper depth, and decreases the oxygen content of the soil. All of these things contribute to health issues with trees. If the soil issue isn’t resolved, the tree may need to be removed.
Insect Infestations
Trees are an attractive source of food and shelter for many creatures, but not all tree-dwellers are welcome. Some insects feed on the leaves, bark, or sap of the tree. While a small population of tree-eating insects won’t cause catastrophic damage to a tree, a large infestation can be completely devastating.
Top Heavy Crowns
Trees that have a large crown and shallow roots are particularly susceptible to the effects of strong winds. As the wind pushes against the tree, it’s more likely to lose branches or to be knocked over than a tree that’s got an appropriate crown size. Improper or inadequate pruning is almost always the reason a tree has a top-heavy crown.
Phytophthora
This fungus is found in all of the soils in Florida, but it does particularly well in soil that holds excess moisture. In South Florida, this can happen after long periods of rain or by over-watering with your sprinkler system. As the fungus reproduces and spreads, it moves into the vascular system of your trees, quickly killing them.
Does the City of Fort Lauderdale Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The City of Fort Lauderdale is very concerned with the safety and well-being of its trees. That said, if you notice a tree on city property that’s damaged, dead, infested with insects, or otherwise compromised, call the city, and they’ll take care of it. You should also call the city to report tree roots that have damaged sidewalks and other city property.
If the tree in question is on private property, you may still need permission from the city to take it down. You can apply for a tree removal permit by contacting the Landscaping Section of the Department of Sustainable Development for Fort Lauderdale. They’ll answer all your questions about tree removal and tree replacement options.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Fort Lauderdale?
As mentioned above, any downed trees on public property owned by the City of Fort Lauderdale are the city’s responsibility. If a tree has fallen on public property, just contact the city, and they’ll take care of it. When it comes to private property, however, the city isn’t responsible for trees or their removal.
If you’re a homeowner?
In most cases, Florida law is on your side as a homeowner whose tree has fallen. You’ll only be held responsible for tree removal from your property, not your neighbor’s property. That is, as long as the tree was healthy before it fell due to a storm or other natural event. If, however, the tree was dead or dying and you knew about it, but neglected to act, you’ll have to pay for the cost of tree removal from your property and your neighbor’s.
If you’re a renter?
Most often, renters in Fort Lauderdale aren’t responsible for tree removal on a rental property. If a tree falls, you should call your landlord as soon as possible to notify them. They’ll have to figure out how to have the tree removed safely from the property. Not sure whether you’re responsible for the trees on your rental property? Carefully read your lease agreement. If there’s no mention of you being responsible, it’s the landlord’s problem.
If you’re a landlord?
Landlords are treated the same as homeowners when it comes to responsibility for fallen trees according to Florida law. So, if a tree falls onto your rental property, it’s up to you to take care of it whether it was rooted on your property or in a neighbor’s yard. That is, as long as the tree was healthy before it fell. If your tree falls, and it was neglected, you may have to pay the costs. If your neighbor’s tree falls and they knew it was damaged, they’ll have to pay for the tree removal.
If you’re a neighbor?
As mentioned before, Florida law doesn’t hold a homeowner responsible for trees falling on other property. So, if a neighbor’s tree comes crashing down onto your property, you’re likely on your own to have it removed. Unless, of course, you can prove that the tree was damaged, diseased, or otherwise compromised and that the property owner knew this was the case.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Fort Lauderdale?
In general, the soil found in Fort Lauderdale is much like that of the rest of Florida. You’ll find sand, sandy loam, clay, peat, and muck in most areas, but these are only a few of the more than 300 soil types that have been mapped in Florida. If the soil on your property is mostly sandy, you’ll have excellent drainage and your trees may do quite well. On the other hand, soils with clay, peat, and muck are prone to holding moisture, which can cause trees to lose their footing and fall. Excess moisture can also lead to fungus infections and tree death.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Fort Lauderdale?
Tropical conditions rule the climate in Fort Lauderdale and seasonal heavy rains are normal. High heat and humidity pose some risks to trees, although the impact is generally minimal. Strong Atlantic storms and hurricanes, on the other hand, present a real and present danger to your trees. Hurricane-force winds and storm surges can cause severe damage to trees, sometimes causing them to break and topple to the ground.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Fort Lauderdale?
Dead trees and power lines are a deadly combination. There’s nothing you can do to take care of a tree in this situation, it’s just too risky. Instead, you should call your local utility company to report the downed tree. They’ll send a crew out to safely remove the tree to avoid a power outage or damage, whether it’s on your property or the city’s property. Do NOT, under any circumstance, attempt to pull a tree down away from a power line or to otherwise deal with it.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Fort Lauderdale?
A tree falls in your yard, and you’ve got to pay for it. How much should you plan on shelling out? It’s hard to say how much it will cost you to have a tree removed from your Fort Lauderdale property. We would need to take a look at the tree to give you an estimate. Tree removal in Fort Lauderdale typically costs between $300 and $1,300 per tree, but these are just averages. Some of the things that we’ll take into consideration when working up your estimate include:
The Height and Diameter of the Tree
The taller a tree is and the bigger around it is, the more expensive it will be to have it removed. Tall trees require extra crew members and more rigging than smaller trees, they take longer to remove, and the process is more dangerous. Larger trees are also heavier, making them even more difficult to move. Therefore, you’ll pay a premium to have a large, mature tree removed.
The Need for Heavy Equipment
If we need to bring in heavy equipment like a crane to remove the tree on your Fort Lauderdale property, it’s a more complicated process. This may be the case when the tree is difficult to get to, or if it’s fallen on top of a home or other structure. Heavy equipment operators are specially trained experts who command a salary that suits their education and experience.
The Tree’s Current Condition
If your tree is damaged, dead, or dying, and it’s still standing, it will be more expensive to remove than one that’s already fallen. The reason for this is that a standing dead tree is a potentially dangerous tree. It can fall at any time, causing damage to equipment and possibly injuring workers. A fallen tree, on the other hand, is easy to get around, and the removal process is faster and safer.
