Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Saint Johns?
- 2 Does the City of Saint Johns Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Saint Johns?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Saint Johns?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Saint Johns?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Saint Johns?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Saint Johns?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Saint Johns?
Located halfway between Jacksonville and St. Augustine, Saint Johns is a small community that still provides easy access to bigger cities and beautiful beaches. It is also home to one of Florida’s first 14 acre crystal lagoons. The city’s location is so close to the Atlantic Coast that it causes some issues for the trees.
- Hurricanes are responsible for the majority of tree problems in Saint Johns. Besides the high winds, the storm surge and flooding are also detrimental to trees in the area. Much of Saint Johns is either at or just above sea level, and therefore often floods as a result of storm surges and heavy rain.
- In an effort to encourage protection of the tree canopy, there are several trees that are designated as protected trees and can’t be removed without a permit. There are also specific regulations on planting requirements and the minimum tree cover for private property. In fact, 70% of trees on a single property are required to be trees that have been designated as canopy trees. These include trees such as Live Oak, Red Maple, Hickory, Cypress, and Magnolia trees. Additionally, trees that are greater than 10 inches in diameter are considered protected trees, and with the exception of pine and palm trees, can’t be removed without a permit.
Does the City of Saint Johns Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Because Saint Johns is an unincorporated community, it is governed by Saint Johns County. The county does provide some assistance for trees that are on the road or right-of-way through their Road and Bridge department. This is only for roads that are public and maintained, and specifically excludes state roads, which are the responsibility of the Florida Department of Transportation. Private roads are the responsibility of the property owner. Additionally, most tree removal requires a permit, with the exception of pine trees and palm trees.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Saint Johns?
When trees fall and require removal, it might not be immediately clear who is responsible. If a tree falls due to a hurricane or other natural disaster, is the city responsible? Is responsibility determined based on where the tree fell or where the tree came from? For renters, are you responsible or is the landlord responsible? Let’s take a look.
If you’re a homeowner?
If a tree falls in your yard, you are responsible for removing it in most cases, even if it was not your tree. If a tree from your property falls onto a public road, you can contact the county, but it is your responsibility to contact them. Additionally, if there was something wrong with your tree that made it vulnerable, and you were aware of it, regardless of where it fell, it will be your responsibility to remove it, and often your homeowner’s insurance will not pay for removal if it is shown to be your fault. If your tree falls into your neighbor’s yard, it will probably not be your responsibility, unless you were at fault, but it is never a bad idea to offer assistance.
If you’re a renter?
Unless you did something that caused the tree to fall, or your rental agreement states otherwise, it is generally not your responsibility to remove a fallen tree if you are renting your home. Either way, you still need to call your landlord as soon as possible if a tree falls anywhere on the property, or onto someone else’s property. And if it was not your fault the tree fell, most renters’ insurance policies will cover any costs that are associated with damage from the tree. If, however, you did something that caused the tree to fall, in addition to your renter’s insurance not covering damages, your landlord is likely going to come to you to pay for the damage and/or removal of the tree.
If you’re a landlord?
As the owner of the property, it is almost always your responsibility for removing any fallen trees, unless the rental agreement states differently. Regardless, you need to promptly communicate with your renter in order to assess damage and facilitate removal. If your renter caused the tree to fall, it is not unreasonable to require the renter to pay for removal of the tree and any damage the tree caused.
If you’re a neighbor?
Unfortunately, no matter where the tree comes from, if it falls on your property, it is usually going to be your responsibility to have the tree removed. The good news is that your homeowner’s policy will usually cover the damage and costs associated with this. And if you are able to show that your neighbor knew something was wrong with the tree and did not take any action, it will be their responsibility. If you have concerns about any of your neighbor’s trees, as well as any trees that are on the property line, you should discuss it with them as soon as you can in order to prevent damage, but unless there is something wrong with the tree that makes it vulnerable to falling, they are not required to remove it.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Saint Johns?
The soil in Saint Johns is composed of fine sand that formed in sandy and loamy marine sediments. The soil is very poorly drained and often floods. In addition, the soil in the area is often lacking in key nutrients, which can make tree growth difficult if appropriate trees are not planted. Having your soil analyzed prior to planting is a good way to ensure you are planting trees that will flourish. Cypress trees typically do quite well in this type of soil, and in fact aid in water drainage.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Saint Johns?
Yes, Saint Johns is located about 10 miles off the Atlantic Coast and most of the city is either at, or slightly above, sea level. It is highly susceptible to flooding and sees a high number of hurricanes every year. The annual rainfall averages around 50 inches, which is actually drier than many other areas in Florida, but due to its low elevation, it still floods easily.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Saint Johns?
Tree branches or dead trees that are near, or on, power lines are very dangerous, and you should not try to remove them on your own. Saint Johns sees a great deal of rain every year, along with hurricanes and other tropical storms, so trees and tree branches falling on power lines is a common occurrence. According to Florida Power & Light Company, they monitor, as well as maintain, trees that are near power lines. They perform preventative trimming and will notify you prior to removing a tree except in emergency situations. Homeowners are asked to perform regular pruning on other trees away from power lines in order to prevent possible damage during a hurricane. After a hurricane, they do not collect debris as part of restoration efforts and it is the responsibility of the property owner, and in some cases, Saint Johns County, to clean up and remove this debris. This is because the priority of the power company is restoring power as quickly as possible.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Saint Johns?
Figuring out the best plan to remove a tree varies, which means costs vary as well. In Saint Johns, on average, it can cost between $469 and $639 to remove a tree. However, your total could reach up to around $2,000. Depending on the reason a tree is being removed, your homeowner’s insurance, minus any deductible, may cover a portion of the costs. Because Saint Johns County requires a permit for the majority of tree removals and your costs will likely increase as a result. Our arborists and tree trimmers are knowledgeable about which permits are needed and can easily obtain them.
Size
The bigger a tree is, the more time and resources are required to remove it. Therefore, the cost of tree removal gets more expensive the bigger the tree gets. Our tree trimmers typically employ a top-down method of cutting, which involves cutting sections of the tree starting at the top, which is the safest method for tall trees. But it also requires multiple people and is not a quick process. On average, a 20 foot tree will cost between $200 and $300 to remove, while an 80 foot tree will cost between $1,400 to $2,000 to remove.
Location
In a less densely populated area, removing a tree is much easier than in an area that is more densely populated. Saint Johns is not nearly as densely populated as Jacksonville, but there are still areas where the homes are closer together. In general, there is still planning that has to take place prior to removing a tree even with no buildings nearby. And while living in an area far away from neighbors can have many perks, it also means that it can be more difficult for one of our tree trimmers or arborists to reach your property, which can increase costs as well.
Protected Trees
Protected trees, or trees that are located along a wetland or an upland buffer zone, are difficult to remove unless they are deemed hazardous. You not only need to have a permit to remove these trees, but you must also submit a plan for replacement to maintain the tree canopy. If you do remove any of these trees without a permit, and it is not deemed hazardous, the penalties can be very expensive. In addition to a fine and an after-the-fact permit, you will generally have to pay for replanting. If the specific amount of tree loss is not able to be calculated, a per-acre fine will be assessed.
