Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Longwood?
- 2 Does the City of Longwood Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Longwood?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Longwood?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Longwood?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Longwood?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Longwood?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Longwood?
Trees are not only beautiful to look at. They’re also essential to the survival of many species of birds, mammals, and insects. Strong, healthy trees can live for decades or even longer. But, a tree that’s unhealthy can become a serious hazard in short order, threatening your home, your property, and your family. Some of the most common tree issues you’ll see in Longwood include:
Insect Infestations
Central Florida’s climate is perfect for all kinds of insects, and many of them are beneficial to your trees. However, some of those insects are pests that can cause severe damage to your trees or even cause them to die. Leaf-eating insects can strip a tree’s foliage. Boring insects can disrupt the flow of water and nutrients through the tree’s bark, and sucking insects steal the sap from the tree, starving it.
When are insects a problem in your Longwood trees? Generally, if you notice a few insects, it’s not a big deal. But, a large infestation needs to be addressed right away. In some cases, treatments such as pesticides and pruning can get rid of the insects. Removing a neglected, damaged tree is the best thing to do to protect the surrounding trees from the same fate.
Tree Diseases
Organisms like viruses, bacteria, and fungus can cause diseases in your Longwood trees. Oaks, especially white oaks and live oaks, are susceptible to oak wilt, disrupting water flow inside the tree, ultimately killing it. Dutch elm disease is a deadly fungal infection in Florida that affects elm trees. Cankers, or dark dead spots on trees, are caused by fungi that invade the bark and disrupt the flow of nutrients to the tree.
Diseased trees are weakened, unstable, and pose a risk to your home and property. If you notice signs of disease in your trees, such as unseasonable loss of leaves, canker sores on the bark, and dead branches, consider calling us to have the affected tree removed to protect the rest of your trees.
Weather Damage
Central Florida experiences its fair share of inclement weather, including high winds, heavy rains, and lots of lightning. Trees can fall victim to the weather in several ways. Windy conditions can force a tree to topple over, especially after heavy rains saturated the grounds. Lightning can strike a tree during a thunderstorm, causing catastrophic damage.
We see a lot of weather damage to the trees in Longwood, especially during hurricane season between June 1 and November 30. Large live oaks with their extended branches are particularly vulnerable and are often victims of the onslaught. Pine trees are also susceptible to strong winds, often snapping in half.
Does the City of Longwood Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Most of the time, you’re going to be responsible for taking care of the trees on your property in Longwood. However, the City of Longwood does have specific rules about which trees can be removed. The city issues a tree removal permit before commencing tree removal. Depending upon the species of tree, location, and the reason for removing it, you might also be required to plant another tree in its place.
If a tree on city property is suffering from an insect infestation, is diseased, or damaged, it’s up to the city’s horticultural specialists to take care of them. All you have to do is contact the Streets Division of the City of Longwood to report your concerns. They’ll send a crew out to look at the tree and determine what steps to take to mitigate the problem, bring the trees back to health, or remove them.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Longwood?
Florida’s property laws are pretty straightforward regarding who’s responsible for damage caused by a fallen tree or tree branches. It all boils down to a simple question of how healthy the tree was before it fell and whether the owner of the tree knew any health issues.
If you’re a homeowner
If a tree that’s growing on your property falls onto your property, it’s your responsibility. If the tree causes damage, your homeowner’s insurance policy may help pay for some of the costs. In addition, the policy may cover the cost of tree removal and debris cleanup. If not, you’ll have to foot the bill yourself.
If you’re a renter
Take a good look at your lease agreement. Is there a clause in the document that gives you responsibility for the trees on the property? Chances are, it doesn’t. Unless your lease specifically states that you are responsible for tree maintenance and tree removal, it’s up to your landlord to fix the problem.
If you’re a landlord
As a homeowner, you’re responsible for the rental properties you own, and that includes the trees. If one falls and causes damage to the yard or structures on your rental property, you’re obligated to take care of it. If the tenant has renter’s insurance, it may cover damages to their property. If not, it may also be up to you to pay up.
If you’re a neighbor
If a neighbor’s tree falls onto your property, it should be their responsibility to clean it up and pay for damages, right? Not always. If the tree is healthy and it’s knocked over or breaks during a storm, your neighbor isn’t responsible for it. However, if the tree is known to be diseased or damaged, your neighbor will have to clean up the mess and pay for the damages.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Longwood?
Like the rest of Central Florida, the soil in Longwood is sand, peat, and clay-based. Sandy soils tend to drain quickly and remain compacted well. That makes it perfect for trees to grow in. Peat and clay-based soils can absorb large amounts of moisture, which makes the soil expand. Expansive soils can cause the root system of the tree to be pushed upward, causing instability and increasing the risk of the tree falling.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Longwood?
Trees need plenty of sunshine, water, and nutrients to reach their full potential. Most of the time, the climate of Central Florida is ideal for tree growth, but some seasons can be tough on trees. During the rainy season, frequent, heavy downpours can wreak havoc on trees, especially if strong winds accompany them. Hurricanes can rip trees out of the ground, roots and all. Periods of high heat and abundant sunshine can cause tree leaves to wither and wilt, making it difficult for the tree to photosynthesize.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Longwood?
Power lines are hazardous, and only trained personnel should ever attempt to remove a dead tree near a power line. If you notice a tree that’s dead, damaged, or otherwise compromised near a power line in Longwood, move to a safe location right away. Don’t attempt to touch any branches or to remove the tree. Contact your electric utility company to report the dead tree right away.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Longwood?
Without seeing the tree in question, we can’t give you an accurate price to have a tree removed from your property. We can say that on average, the cost of tree removal in Longwood ranges between $500 and $700 per tree, but the total can reach well over $1,500 in some cases. This does not include any fees for tree removal permits, inspections, or other fees the City of Longwood may impose. The price you’ll pay for tree removal will also depend upon a few different factors, including:
Tree Size
It will always cost more to have a large tree removed from your Longwood property than it will have a small tree taken down. Bigger trees are very heavy, the branches are bigger, and the trunk diameter can be huge. To safely remove a large tree, we need to bring in heavy equipment, extra rigging, and a large crew of workers.
Tree Location
Another major factor in the cost of tree removal in Longwood is its location. Trees in an open space free of obstacles and structures are easy to get to and relatively inexpensive. If it’s difficult to reach or restricted space, the job is much more complex, which means it will be more expensive.
Tree Type
One of the things you’ll have to consider when having a tree removed in Longwood is whether you’ll be required to replace it. The city’s tree ordinance states that if you are replacing a diseased or damaged tree, you’ll have to plant a tree that fits within the rules and regulations set forth in the ordinance. Otherwise, you may be assessed fines and other penalties that increase your costs.