Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Melbourne?
- 2 Does the City of Melbourne Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Melbourne?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Melbourne?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Melbourne?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Melbourne?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Melbourne?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Melbourne?
Trees have to be pretty tough to grow strong and tall. But, sometimes, tiny things can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of even the oldest, most robust tree on your Melbourne property. Your trees are susceptible to various things that can cause them to get sick, die, and even fall over.
Fusiform Rust
Fusiform rust causes cigar-shaped galls on the tree’s main trunk, followed by yellow-orange blisters and rust-colored spores inside the trunk. Native pine trees, like the slash pine and loblolly, are particularly vulnerable to this destructive disease. You need to call us to remove trees infected with this fungal disease as their structure becomes unstable and unsafe.
Laurel Wilt
Caused by the redbay ambrosia beetle, this fungal tree disease causes green leaves in the canopy to wilt, followed by a quick browning of the rest of the leaves. Tiny holes, sawdust tubes, and dark streaks are all signs that show you need to call us to remove the tree. We also need to get rid of the stump to truly rid your property of this disease and protect your other trees.
Ganoderma Lucidum
This pathogen makes its way into a tree via damaged roots or other injuries. Once it’s inside the tree, it ruthlessly attacks the root system, cutting off the arteries that provide nutrients and water to the rest of the tree. Yellow, wilted leaves, a generally sickly appearance, and growths called conks forming on the lower part of the trunk are signs the tree is in serious trouble.
Insect Infestations
Insects can be beneficial, like the pollinators who help ensure plants and trees can procreate. Some bugs, however, want to eat your tree’s leaves, dig under the bark, or otherwise hurt your trees. A few insects attacking your Melbourne trees aren’t a huge problem, but an infestation can quickly cause irreparable damage to your tree. An insect infestation can leave a dangerous, standing dead tree behind if left too long.
Unintentional Damage
You have a specific aesthetic in mind for your home and your landscaping, we understand. But remember when designing your garden that a patio, sidewalk, structure, or other obstruction should never cover tree roots. You should also be very careful about driving over root systems, parking on them, or using heavy equipment near them as you can cause the tree roots to loosen, making them more prone to falling over.
Does the City of Melbourne Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Like most municipalities, the City of Melbourne only takes care of trees on city-owned property. They don’t generally handle tree removal from private property. If the tree is on the ground, you’ll need to clean it and the debris up. If it’s standing, however, you can’t just go out and cut it down. You’ll need to apply for and obtain a tree removal permit from the City of Melbourne before you do anything.
However, there are some instances when the City will be instrumental in having a hazardous tree removed from someone’s yard. For example, according to the Melbourne Code of Ordinances, if the City deems a tree a hazard and, even after being ordered to, the owner doesn’t have it removed, the City may take action and have the tree removed from the property.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Melbourne?
When it comes to taking responsibility for tree removal costs in Melbourne, it’s pretty straightforward. The laws, laid out in the Florida Fence and Property Law handbook, determine who’s liable in what situation. Florida Jurisprudence differentiates between a live and dead tree for purposes of proving liability. In some cases, this can be hard to prove both for the tree owner and the damaged adjacent property owner. In general, though, liability for fallen tree removal is pretty straightforward:
If You’re a Homeowner?
When you purchased your home, you agreed to take on the responsibility of maintaining it. The same holds for your yard too. You’re responsible for maintaining everything, including the trees. If one falls, you’ll have to have it removed, usually at your own cost. If it causes damage to your home, garage, or other structure, your homeowner’s insurance may help cover the costs.
If You’re a Renter?
Leasing a home in Melbourne relieves you of many of the responsibilities homeowners have, including tree removal. It would be highly unusual for your lease to discuss tree removal specifically. However, you might want to give your lease a look. Unless you’ve agreed to take care of the trees, any that fall are the landlord’s responsibility to have removed. Your renter’s insurance should cover damages to your personal property.
If You’re a Landlord?
The law treats income property owners the same as homeowners regarding liability for fallen tree removal. You’re obligated to make sure that the property is safe for your tenants. If trees rooted on your property fall onto your property, it is your responsibility to have them removed. If there’s damage to the home or other structures on the property, your insurance may help pay for repairs.
If You’re a Neighbor?
It gets a little messy when it comes to trees falling in neighbor’s yards in Melbourne. After all, that tree trunk, branches, limbs, and debris, aren’t going to clean themselves up. According to Florida Law, the tree’s health when it falls may determine who’s responsible for it. Florida Jurisprudence says that if a dead tree falls on your neighbor’s property, you’re responsible. If a live tree falls on the neighbor’s property, they’ll be accountable for damages.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Melbourne?
Like the rest of the Space Coast, the type of soil that’s most prevalent in Melbourne is a fine, gray soil called Myakka. On the coast, the ground is mainly sandy, which means it doesn’t hold moisture well. That makes it challenging for trees to get enough water and even harder to get the other nutrients they need. Malnourished trees have a hard time surviving and often succumb.
Sandy soil can also present a problem for trees battered with strong winds after heavy rains. The soggy, sandy soil can shift, unanchoring tree roots, eventually sending the tree crashing to the ground.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Melbourne?
The weather certainly plays an active role in the health and well-being of your Melbourne trees. When there’s enough sunshine, plenty of rain, and the right mix of nutrients in the soil, trees thrive. Prolonged periods of drought cause your trees to become stressed as they fight to get the water they need to survive. Too much rain and the nutrients wash out of the sandy soil and provide little benefit.
Although hurricanes don’t usually hit Melbourne directly, the City can still be affected by strong winds and heavy rainfall. These storms can strip leaves off of limbs, ripping branches off of trees, and even push a tree over. Lighting can also cause severe problems for a tree, sometimes killing it, other times causing extensive damage.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Melbourne?
Dead trees and power lines are a dangerous combination, and you should avoid this scenario at all costs. If you’ve got a dead tree on your property that looks like it’s dangerously close to the power line, get ahold of Florida Power and Light Company to report it. They will send a crew with the appropriate safety equipment, tools, and training to safely remove the dead tree without disrupting your power or damaging your property.
Florida Power and Light Company don’t just handle trees near power lines on private property. They’re also responsible for taking care of the trees on public property. If you see a dead tree on what you believe to be city property, and it’s close to a power line, call the power company to report it.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Melbourne?
If you need tree removal in Melbourne, you can expect to pay between $270 and $1,800 or more per tree for the service. Without assessing your trees, we can’t tell you how much your bill will be. But, we can tell you that we look at several factors to determine the proper rate, including:
Orientation of the Tree
One of the most significant factors we consider for tree removal in Melbourne is what condition the tree is in. Is it already down, lying in a yard? Or is it still standing? If the latter is the case, you can expect the bill for tree removal to be higher. Why? Standing dead trees are hazardous, and they require special rigging and equipment to bring them down safely.
Age and Size of the Trees
Big, mature trees are hefty, difficult to maneuver, and dangerous to remove, whether they’re standing or down. Because the trunks and branches are so large and heavy, the job is much more difficult for our crews. We need to bring in heavy equipment, extra rigging, and additional crew members to remove the tree safely.
How Many Trees?
The total cost of tree removal from your Melbourne home or rental property depends on how many trees we need to take out. We’ll evaluate all the trees on your property and work with you to determine what should go, what should stay, based on your budget.