AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Saint Cloud, FL

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Saint Cloud?

Saint Cloud, Florida was initially founded in 1909, and this city has plenty to offer. Animal lovers can visit the Reptile World Serpentarium, the Central Florida Animal Reserve, the Crescent J Ranch, or Amazing Animals Inc. There are plenty of charters to take you out on the water if you want to get in some fishing. For those who find the traditional hook and line setup a little dull, you can try bow fishing.

There are tons of farms offering fresh strawberries and peaches, so you’ll never run out of local produce. There are also plenty of beaches, nature trails, and farms if you’re looking for an excuse to get out and explore the great outdoors.

Part of the allure of Saint Cloud is the vivid outdoors, with its beautiful trees and landscaping. It’s a significant part of the ecosystem in Florida and helps keep houses cool during the summer. Some problems are plaguing the trees, however, such as pests and disease.

Pests

Pests are a significant problem when it comes to trees. Currently, Florida is under a federal quarantine due to three pests that are eating the plant life. The biggest threat arguably is the Giant African Snail (GAS). It eats over 500 different types of plants and can cause damage to homes. The GAS is also a threat to humans, as it can cause meningitis. A single snail can lay 1,200 eggs per year.

The Asian Citrus Psyllid is another pest that is killing trees. It leaves behind burned tips and twisted leaves after infecting a tree. It mainly affects citrus plants and is hurting a lot of farmers.

The third insect that has Florida under federal quarantine is the imported fire ant. This tiny insect is harmless enough on its own, but like all ants, they live in a colony. These pests not only feed on a wide variety of crops like corn, okra, and citrus, they also wrap around young trees. Imported fire ants have also been known to damage farm equipment and attack anyone who approaches their new feeding ground. Unlike many bees, an imported fire ant can sting repeatedly and reduce the native ant population.

Disease

Like humans and animals, trees are susceptible to catching and spreading disease. Florida is currently under quarantine due to Citrus Greening, one of the most severe diseases a plant can become infected with. As the name suggests, this disease mainly attacks citrus trees and is spread by the Asian Citrus Psyllid. Trees infected with Citrus Greening will appear green, distorted, and produce fruits that leave behind a bitter taste when consumed.

Does the City of Saint Cloud Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?

Saint Cloud does not provide much assistance in removing trees. If trees are fallen in the middle of roadways or on power lines, the City of Saint Cloud will most likely help remove the tree. The City may also be willing to help remove debris from a fallen tree after a significant storm has passed through, but this is subject to change based on the storm’s severity. In most cases, the tree owner is responsible for finding a local removal company like Tree Triage to remove any fallen trees. It’s important to note that the City of Saint Cloud only issues burn permits for land clearing. A fallen tree is considered maintenance, and a permit will not be issued in this case. 

Owners are often encouraged to leave plenty of trees or relocate them instead of cutting them down unless they are diseased, infested with pests, or dead. Lots of trees are ideal here due to frequent flooding. Trees help prevent erosion, so if you are going to remove a tree, the City of Saint Cloud will likely require that you replace it with a new one.

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Saint Cloud?

In most cases, it falls on the tree owner to remove the fallen tree, but there are some occasions when this isn’t the case.

If You’re a Homeowner?

As a homeowner, it is typically your responsibility to remove a fallen tree. The only exceptions are when it impedes traffic or has caused a power outage. If that’s the case, the City of Saint Cloud will help remove the tree. Depending on your policy, your insurance agent may be willing to help cover the cost of removing the tree.

If You’re a Renter?

It’s usually a given that the landlord is responsible for clearing fallen trees, especially for apartment complexes. There are occasions when it falls to the renter to remove fallen trees, however, and that’s when it’s written into the lease. 

If You’re a Landlord?

Landlords are typically responsible for removing any fallen trees on rental properties. The only exception to this is if you wrote it into the lease that the renter is responsible.

If You’re a Neighbor?

If a neighbor’s tree falls on your property, figuring out who is responsible depends mainly on if the tree was alive or dead. If the tree in question was alive, especially if it fell during a storm, then it’s considered an “Act of God,” and it will be your responsibility to remove the tree. On the other hand, if the tree were dead, the owner would be responsible for removing the tree.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Saint Cloud?

The primary type of soil in Saint Cloud is fine sand, but plenty of trees still manage to thrive. Fruits seem to like the earth in Saint Cloud and tend to grow just fine. Trees such as peaches and oranges do incredibly well, as do strawberry bushes. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Saint Cloud?

The weather in Saint Cloud tends to be mild year-round when you’re looking at the temperature, at least. Storms plague most coastal areas, and Saint Cloud is no exception. Rain and thunderstorms are expected during the summer, and tropical storms and hurricanes have been known to hit this area.

Strong winds can easily knock down trees during this kind of weather. Diseased trees, infected with pests or already dead, have a high chance of coming down when this type of weather hits. 

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Saint Cloud?

Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) is the electrical company for Saint Cloud. While they will come out and trim your trees if you need someone to, they are currently encouraging owners to seek out a local contractor like Tree Triage. This doesn’t mean OUC will never come to trim trees growing dangerously close to power lines, as they will. The problem is that there is currently a 3-5 month delay in processing non-critical tree trimming requests. If you need someone to come out faster, give us a call, and we’ll be happy to help.

OUC does regular tree trimming and will alert everyone in the neighborhood two to three weeks ahead of time that they are coming out to do some work. When OUC comes out, they will only trim the trees on their easements and right-of-ways or trees that are endangering the power line and equipment. They will also remove dead or old trees that are at risk of falling on power lines. They will not remove trees hindering streetlights or any trees that aren’t close enough to a power line to risk causing an outage.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Saint Cloud?

Tree removal in Saint Cloud typically costs between $250 and $2,100. Several factors will determine how much you will pay to have a tree removed in Saint Cloud.

Location

The tree’s location will play a huge role in determining the final cost of removing it in Saint Cloud. To cut down a tree often requires bringing in extra tools, and if the location is hard to get to, it makes it more challenging to bring in equipment like a bucket truck. We can climb some trees, but it’s too risky for our trimmer in some cases, like when a tree is dead. 

Another factor that makes the location so crucial in determining the price is how close the tree is to other structures like buildings. If a tree is in an open field, it can be cut down with little risk to anyone. If the tree is located between two buildings, however, then this means our trimmer must be extra careful with each cut to make sure the tree doesn’t land on someone’s home or business. 

Size

When cutting down a tree, smaller trees are simply easier to remove than taller ones. We can cut down a small tree quickly and easily with an ax. We must cut down a larger tree with a chainsaw, or it’s going to take much longer to get the work done.

It’s also important to know the circumference. A tall but thin tree will be easier to cut down than a tree that is short and thick. The job gets even more complicated if the tree is both tall and has a wider circumference. Add in segments that tend to branch off in various directions, and the job difficulty increases even more. 

Tree Condition

Removing a tree that has already fallen is much easier to handle than a tree that is standing. A few cuts here and there, grind up the stump, and the job is done. When a tree is still standing, it means we have to cut it down before we can begin other aspects of the job. If the tree has fallen on a vehicle or building, it also requires more finesse, as our trimmers figure out how to remove it without causing more damage. 

Another factor to consider when looking at a tree’s condition is if it’s diseased or infested with pests. This means that we must treat the trees surrounding it before the tree is cut down. We don’t want to remove one problematic tree, only to let the disease or pest spread to another one, after all.