Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Miami?
- 2 Does the City of Miami Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Miami?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Miami?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Miami?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Miami?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Miami?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Miami?
Miami’s eco forest consists of thousands of palms, numerous trees, and other vegetation. The most common trees in the area in no particular order include royal palms, red mangrove, button mangrove, melaleuca, live oak, lancewood, and white stopper. However, most of these trees in the city have little canopy cover, and thus, they contribute to a reduced tree density and compromise tree benefits. For instance, palms compromise the county’s canopy cover and tree density by about 33%, significantly decreasing Miami-Dade County’s low-ranking tree canopy average. There are many reasons for the reduced tree canopy, including climatic conditions, urban development, pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies. These are discussed below.
Insects
Aphids are destroying many trees and shrubs in Miami, especially during spring when their reproduction reaches its peak. Mature aphids attack the leaves, stems, and flower buds while aphid larvae make their way through the roots.
These pests cause leaf curling and inhibit tree growth. In addition, aphids are incredibly destructive, considering they reproduce very fast and promote infestation by other insects. Tree health in Miami is also threatened by other pests, including borers, caterpillars, leafhoppers, ants, and mites.
Diseases
Tree diseases are caused by different factors and organisms and often affect other parts of the plant. In Miami, most tree diseases are soil-borne and carried by fungus or bacteria. For instance, the moist Miami soils allow the growth of the phytophthora fungus. Phytophthora infestation symptoms include leaf browning and bleeding tree trunks. Fast action is necessary to save the tree as it is a swift killer. Other common tree diseases in Miami include fusiform rust, annosus root disease, lethal bronzing, and Dutch Elm disease.
Nutrient Deficiency
Nutrient deficiency is a rampant problem affecting many trees along the Florida Coastline. A good example is chlorosis, which is caused by iron or manganese deficiency. It causes leaf yellowing and can stunt tree growth, as chlorophyll deficiency prevents the breakdown of sugars into energy. Consequently, manganese deficiency causes frizzle top disease in palm trees. The condition results in crispy fronds, weak growth, and eventually the death of the tree.
Does the City of Miami Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The City of Miami recognizes the multiple benefits we gain from trees. Hence, there is a Code of Ordinance in place to protect this precious resource. The ordinance dictates that you must obtain a tree removal permit before removing or relocating any trees in the city. The exemptions for this code include:
- A diseased, injured, or damaged tree that obstructs vision and interferes with utility service or threatens the property’s structural integrity.
- When an emergency necessitates tree removal–an act of God or a life safety issue.
The City also commits to maintaining trees in the public right of way to promote a healthy canopy.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Miami?
In Miami, the responsibility for damages and removal of debris caused by fallen trees varies depending on the health of the said tree. It is also influenced by what causes the tree to fall. Below is an explanation of how fallen tree removal responsibility shifts in Miami.
If you’re a homeowner?
In Florida, property owners are responsible for damage caused by fallen trees located on their property. They are also accountable for trees along the right of way on their property. Property owners may fail a claim with their homeowners’ insurance if a tree on your compound falls because of covered perils, like lightning and fire.
The extent of coverage you get depends on whether any structures on your property are damaged. In which case, the insurance may pay for the costs of tree removal and repair of your damaged property. Many standard insurance policies exclude removal of tree debris and removal of dead or diseased trees. You may also need additional coverage to cover tree removal and damages caused by flooding and earthquakes.
If you’re a renter?
Many a time, the responsibility for tree trimming and removal is left out of the lease agreement. Thus, it naturally falls on the landlord or landowner as they own the said trees. Therefore, landlords need to be proactive in maintaining the trees in their yard; otherwise, they will find themselves taking on heavy damage costs when these trees fall.
If you’re a landlord?
The legal and financial responsibility of maintaining trees on your rental property is entirely yours. It is essential to familiarise yourself with the different trees on your land and monitor their conditions because diseased and damaged trees may fall and cause damage to your property and your renters’ belongings. When rotting trees fall and cause damage, and it is proven that your tenant had informed you of the tree’s condition, you may be in for greater liability issues.
If you’re a neighbor?
Again, under Florida law, the health of a tree determines liability for damages caused to neighboring property. The responsibility falls on you as a homeowner if you knew of the deteriorating condition of the tree and chose to ignore it. In such a situation, your insurer may not cover the claim because of your negligence. However, if a healthy tree falls on your neighbor’s property causing structural damage, they must take on damages and tree removal costs.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Miami?
Miami soils are generally acidic and have pH values in the range of 7.4–8.4 and high Calcium Carbonate content of between 30% and 94%. This mineral composition contributes to the deficiency of essential nutrients like iron and makes it difficult for plants to retain water and nutrients.
Most of the soils are less than five inches and not more than a few feet deep. These soils are ideal for the growth of native trees and ornamental plants and the production of tropical fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, soil compaction is also a common menace brought about by urbanization and heavy vehicle and foot traffic. Soil compaction promotes shallow root growth, which ultimately affects the health of your trees.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Miami?
Miami’s urban forest is constantly affected by hurricanes and windstorms. As a result of the increasing frequency and strength of these climatic conditions, there is rampant tree damage costing residents big bucks in the city. Due to hurricanes and storms, the tree damage is more severe for inferior quality or exotic trees, ‘hatracked‘ trees, and trees that have brittle and shallow roots. Lightning also threatens native trees along the coastal metropolis.
The risk of trees being struck by lightning increases with the tree’s height, and as a result, many palm trees are killed by lightning every year. Most times, lightning damage is apparent, but other times, it affects the roots and internal functioning of trees.
Climate changes result in increasing temperatures and sea levels, which increases the risk of more storms and hurricanes. Unfortunately, it is also causing an upsurge in the rates of urban warming and decreasing air quality.
As a way of getting things under control, The Miami Beach City Commission has resolved to cut back the population of palm trees up to a quarter of the current population by 2050.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Miami?
If there is a dead tree dangerously close to power lines, call Florida Power & Light Company at 800-342-5375. They have specially trained line-clearing professionals who can diligently remove dead trees, vines, and vegetation growing around power lines.
The FPL also runs a preventive maintenance program that ensures tree branches and limbs near power lines are regularly cleared to prevent outages and enhance public safety. Apart from dead trees, FPL can remove specific tree species growing too fast and too close to safety lines.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Miami?
Having a tree removed in the City of Miami will typically cost you around $750 for a standard project, or up to around $1,750 for larger or more complex removal jobs. This cost is not inclusive of the tree removal permit fee, which varies depending on the zoning of your property. The average cost of tree removal depends on numerous factors, including the type, size, age, condition, and accessibility of the tree. We will consider the following factors when preparing a quotation:
Location
Your general location and its accessibility play a vital role in how much tree removal will cost you. For instance, it is cheaper to remove trees in rural areas than it is in urban centers. At the same time, you will pay less to have a tree removed from an open space because it presents fewer obstacles, making it faster. However, the price shoots up when the tree is near a structure or fence.
Urgency
You should expect to pay more if tree removal is an emergency. An example of an emergency tree removal scenario includes when a tree falls on your property and your family is trapped inside. An emergency often requires our tree removal specialists to work outside their regular working hours.
Size of The Tree
The size and height of a tree always come to play when calculating the costs of tree removal. Taller trees with a wider diameter will cost you more because they often have denser and thicker wood, making them harder for us to bring down. They also often have more branches than may need to be brought down before the tree is cut.
