Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Pompano Beach?
- 2 Does the City of Pompano Beach Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Pompano Beach?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Pompano Beach?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Pompano Beach?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Pompano Beach?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Pompano Beach?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Pompano Beach?
Pompano Beach is home to many beautiful, native trees and palms. Some common species include:
- Silver buttonwood
- Wax myrtle
- Dahoon holly
- Needle palm
- Saw palmetto
- Everglades palm
- Bald cypress
- Red maple
Each tree brings its own unique value and flair to the Pompano Beach area. Unfortunately, the diverse species can also all be impacted by disease and invasive creatures. Though this is far from an exhaustive list, here are some of the most common problems to look out for:
Root Rot in Palms
Florida is known for its towering palm trees, which flourish in warmer climates. They like our humid summers because they thrive without too much water. Unfortunately, this means that high levels of rainfall or flooding can lead to root rot and the death of your palm.
To mitigate the risk of this problem, it’s important to plant your palm in an area with proper drainage. You should also avoid creating “open wounds” near the base of the trunk, where unclean water or bugs could get in and cause more issues. This means that a palm is not a good spot to nail up an advertisement or carve your initials in a heart.
Lethal Bronzing
This is another palm disease, spread by tiny bugs and thought to have originated in Mexico. Devastatingly, it seems to prefer our state tree and can quickly cause death. Although there is not a known cure yet, quickly removing infected palms is essential for preventing further damage to neighboring trees – which could either be impacted by a falling palm or have the disease spread to them.
Laurel Wilt
This devastating disease primarily impacts trees like the redbay and avocado crop, both members of the Laurel family. It is spread by beetles and, as the name implies, can cause previously healthy trees to wilt and decay. There is no cure for an infected tree, but you can help prevent the spread of the disease by quickly uprooting and properly disposing of the impacted plants. The disease is so persistent that it is important to chip and burn the wood.
Beyond local maladies, trees can also be impacted by natural events and accidents. Damage often occurs following:
- Thunderstorms
- Hurricanes
- Flash flooding
- An unseasonably wet period (prompting general root rot)
Does the City of Pompano Beach Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The City of Pompano Beach does not provide any direct assistance to residents who need to remove a tree. However, many of their landscaping laws aim to keep both citizens of the city and the city itself safe.
For example, anyone commissioned to do tree trimming, removal, relocation, or planting on your property must be a Broward County Licensed Tree Trimmer. This guarantees that outside companies you hire, like Tree Triage, are operating in safe and legal ways.
All large-scale tree projects require permits in Pompano Beach including tree removal, relocation, and planting. While most of these permits come with a small filing fee, the city waives the cost for anyone endeavoring to remove an invasive species.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Pompano Beach?
As previously mentioned, Broward County requires a permit to be filed for most large projects centering around trees. If you encounter a fallen tree near your property, you may wonder if it is your responsibility to remove it, and how you go about filing this permit. The fees and process associated with these official files vary depending on your property type and status as an owner, renter, or landlord.
If you’re a homeowner?
If you’re a homeowner, you are responsible for the maintenance and removal of all trees on your property.
The cost of the tree permit is waived for owner-occupied, single-family homes. The same is true for duplexes. Although you’ll likely want to hire our professionals to do the actual removal work, you can file the permit request yourself as the owner-builder. After its completion, you are ready to have your tree removed.
If you’re a renter?
Renters are not responsible for the upkeep of the land they rent; that falls to the landlord. If you notice a tree that needs to be removed, you must notify your landlord right away to mitigate the risk of injury to other plants or residents. Failure of your landlord to properly protect you, as a renter, could be cause for legal compensation or lawful termination of your renter’s contract.
If you’re a landlord?
Landlords have similar responsibilities to homeowners; since they own the property, it is their job to remove fallen trees. However, they also have the responsibility to protect their renters. That means removing fallen trees that might be hazards or impede exit routes. It also means remaining cognizant of sick trees which may be at risk of collapse. Fees will be doubled for those who complete work without a permit.
For owners of multi-family properties, the removal application costs $45 plus an additional $7 per tree. For non-residential properties, you can expect a $50 application fee and an additional $10 per tree.
If you’re a neighbor?
If a storm or other accident causes one of your neighbor’s trees to fall onto your property, you may be responsible for removing it. Homeowner’s insurance will often cover the cost of hiring our professionals to help you with the problem. However, if a neighbor’s tree falls due to disease, rotting, failure to remove a dying tree, or other instances related to neglect, they may retain responsibility for the tree.
Neighbors also have the right to trim the branches and roots of neighboring trees that cross over property lines. Florida law says that property owners own the land and the air directly above it. As a result, any encroaching branches can be removed.
It’s important to note, however, that this trimming must still be in accordance with arborist standards and cannot be abusive to the tree.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Pompano Beach?
As one might expect, the soil in Pompano Beach is often very sandy, containing around 30% to 75% of the fine sediment. This leads to poor draining conditions and can cause root rot in trees that aren’t prepared for the conditions. Fortunately, many local species are equipped for wetter soils.
Pompano Beach’s government recommends practicing ground planting techniques to combat this problem and maintain the area’s rich natural environment. Details about this practice can be found on their website.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Pompano Beach?
Pompano Beach is considered a tropical climate, which helps inform what trees can thrive in the area. The weather certainly plays a role in a tree’s health, especially in those trees which aren’t local to the area and may not be accustomed to wetter soils and warmer temperatures.
Florida is also home to many “freak” weather events like tropical storms and hurricanes. These powerful forces can uproot and damage trees. Following a large storm, broken trees should be removed before they drop branches and cause further damage.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Pompano Beach?
Florida Power and Light (FPL) sets many standards regarding what trees can be planted near power lines. This is done to ensure that the plants located near the lines won’t impact their function, even if they should topple. However, even if a tree does not appear to be in direct contact with a power line, it is unwise to handle its removal on your own. The digging required to remove the root system could bring you into contact with dangerous, active electricity lines.
Your safest option, should you encounter a downed tree near a power line, is to contact FPL directly. Even if the tree is technically your property, it is not your responsibility to perform a job you cannot safely do. FPL can be contacted through their website.
To prevent trees from interfering with power lines, FPL does regular maintenance and trimming of trees located along the area. If your tree requires more than routine maintenance, FPL will leave you an inspection notice card and inform you of their work date.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Pompano Beach?
Tree removal projects typically range from $235 to $1,830 in Pompano Beach. Many different factors can inform your final fee. Although each situation is unique, we often use the following factors to estimate the cost of your project.
Size of the Tree or Project
When you pay to have a tree removed, you have to pay for our equipment and our workers’ time. Larger trees inevitably take more time for proper and safe removal. They may also require additional equipment, like a bucket truck.
If your property has fallen victim to infection, you may need to remove multiple trees. While it is always advised to address infected populations as soon as possible, the removal of multiple trees is, as expected, more time-consuming and expensive.
Accessibility of the Tree
If your tree can not be easily felled due to its proximity to buildings, power lines, or other structures, it will take us more time to remove the tree. Our professional crew will carefully remove the plant in large sections. While this ensures safe and thorough removal, it can also increase the length of time we need to complete the project. As previously mentioned, this will impact the labor costs.
Urgency of the Request
It’s smart to order a rush removal if you fear that a tree could cause further damage to your property. Unfortunately, urgency does come with a higher price tag. When we assemble our expert crew and work overtime to address your problem, you can expect a slightly higher removal cost. Still, the investment will pay off in terms of peace of mind and safety.