Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Seminole?
- 2 Does the City of Seminole Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Seminole?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Seminole?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Seminole?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Seminole?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Seminole?
What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Seminole?
Multiple different hazards can damage trees in Seminole, either hurting their potential for fast, strong growth or leading to the complete death of the tree. Some of the most common physical, disease, and pest-originating tree issues in the area include:
Storm Damage
The western side of Florida is nearly as vulnerable to tree damage from heavy rains, hurricanes, and tropical storms as the eastern half of the state. Strong winds can cause branches to snap off of trees and can even dislodge trees’ root systems. In the aftermath of heavy storms, property owners across Seminole often find broken tree branches, diminished foliage, and even completely felled trees. In these circumstances, we recommend staying away from the destabilized tree as much as possible and contacting our trained arborists to survey the damage. We can remove felled and fatally damaged trees before they fall on or damage adjacent structures.
Lethal Bronzing
Palm trees across Florida can easily protract lethal bronzing, a disease spread by insects that carry bacterial infections from tree to tree. Infested palm trees “burn” the leaves, changing them from a lush green to a crispy orange or brown. Affected foliage can’t properly photosynthesize, leaving the trees malnourished and even more vulnerable to other diseases.
Aphids
Aphids are one of the top threats for trees in Seminole and the state as a whole. Dozens of different species feed off of the trees, causing the cause of black fungus, making leaves curl and turn discolored, and affecting strong tree growth. While virtually all trees can be infested by aphids, citrus trees and pines are particularly vulnerable.
Chlorosis
Chlorosis is an iron deficiency that makes tree leaves less able to photosynthesize nutrients for impacted trees. Almost all trees have a high risk of partial or complete chlorosis. Property owners can detect the condition by checking trees for small and bitter fruit production, prematurely yellowing leaves, and slow tree growth. The most common cause of chlorosis is nutrient-poor soil that is highly alkaline.
Emerald Ash Borers
While primarily known as invasive pests that affect the northern Midwest and New England regions, emerald ash borers are insects that have made their way further and further south. These pests pose a severe and ultimately fatal risk to infested ash trees. Emerald ash borers can kill trees within three to five years and can quickly spread from tree to tree. While signs of an infestation include premature dieback and distinctive D-shaped bores in tree trunks, tree owners may have little choice but to cut down and destroy an impacted tree, even if the infestation is caught early. Florida is maintaining preventative measures with active USDA and FDACS monitoring across the state and warnings about bringing firewood from affected states.
Does the City of Seminole Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The city of Seminole requires residents to apply for a permit to remove trees with a four-inch diameter or greater under most circumstances. The city requires that an arborist like Tree Triage verify the need for removal when the tree in question is a protected tree of a certain size. If you need to have a tree removed from your property, we can assist with the permit process and work with an approved arborist to find the best option for your property. We can also determine if the tree in question is an exempted tree that does not require a permit.
According to the Pinellas County Code of Ordinances, “Owners of private property are responsible for the maintenance of trees planted in or extending into the abutting rights-of-way.” We can also help you manage tree removal in these adjacent lots to maintain safety and good conditions for your property.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Seminole?
When a tree falls on or near your property, it can be stressful. It can even be difficult to know who’s fully responsible for managing tree removal. Take a look at these common scenarios so you can determine if you need to manage the tree removal or if you can contact someone else.
If you’re a homeowner?
As a general rule, property owners are responsible for the trees that fall on their property (especially if the tree was originally on your property to start with). However, your home insurance provider may cover some or all of the costs of removing the trees and making any related repairs to your property. In Pinellas County, property owners may also be responsible for tree removal on abutting rights of way.
If you’re a renter?
When you rent a single-family residence or an apartment unit, you’re not responsible for tree removal. Instead, you can just notify your landlord about the problem. They’re also responsible for repairing any structural damage to the property. If your car or personal property was damaged by the fallen tree, you can reach out to your renter’s insurance provider regarding repairs or replacements.
If you’re a landlord?
Landlords, just like homeowners, must handle tree removal for fallen trees on the property. We recommend calling us to handle the task as soon and safely possible, as fallen trees can pose a safety risk to people and structures nearby. They can also invite pests and tree diseases into the area.
If you’re a neighbor?
If a tree falls onto your property (even if the tree wasn’t originally planted on your property or the abutting right of way), you are responsible for handling the tree removal. If the tree fell onto multiple properties, you and the property owners can agree to the payment for tree removal. However, if the previous tree owner was actively negligent in caring for the tree, they may be responsible for the costs of tree removal and related property damage.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Seminole?
Seminole can have highly alkaline soil that prevents trees from accessing and absorbing all the nutrients they need. One of the most common nutrient deficiencies that local trees face is a lack of iron which leads to potentially deadly chlorosis. Without enough iron, trees can’t properly photosynthesize, leading to yellow leaves and, over time, a weakened root system and slow growth.
The texture of Seminole’s soil is also sandy. This makes it more vulnerable to erosion than loamy or heavy clay soils, and nutrients can easily leach away during heavy rainfall. Sandy soil can also be over compacted which makes it difficult for root systems to push through and grow in.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Seminole?
Seminole and the surrounding Pinellas County enjoy relatively warm and balmy weather all year round. This helps promote good tree growth, as there’s little risk of heavy snowfall that can break branches or weaken trees through snap freezes. The area also receives approximately 50 inches of rain across the year which is plenty of hydration from most trees.
However, hurricanes and tropical storms are a frequent risk. These storms can cause significant property damage by snapping off branches and making trees fall over. If a hurricane destabilizes or knocks down a tree on your property, we can remove it quickly once the storm passes.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Seminole?
Two electric companies serving the Seminole area are Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Duke Energy, and they maintain vegetation around the power lines. If you notice a dead tree on or near power lines in Seminole, we recommend that you leave the immediate area as quickly and safely as possible. Then contact the power company to have them take the next steps in removing the trees and preventing a downed power line. Touching or moving trees that are potentially in contact with power lines is extremely dangerous; always leave the area and contact the power company or the local authorities (in the event of a serious emergency) to report the issue.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Seminole?
Tree removal can get complicated quickly, making it difficult to estimate the cost of the project sight unseen. Small, already felled, and trees away from structures are generally fast and simple (therefore cheaper) to remove. However, tall trees, trees in dangerous or crowded locations, and trees with diseases or infestations, are complex projects and often cost more to have safely removed. We can provide you with a more specific quote once we see the actual tree you want to remove, but, in general, tree removal in the area will cost between $220 and $2,140. The following factors can affect the cost of tree removal:
The Size of the Tree
The size of the tree that you need to have removed is one of the most impactful factors on the total cost of the project. Small ten-foot trees, for example, require little to no additional safety equipment or steps for removal, even if the tree is still standing. Wide, tall trees with thick trunks and full foliage, on the other hand, require additional steps to break the tree down into pieces that can be hauled away.
Seminole properties also have a lot of tall palm trees, which can grow to top-heavy, towering heights if they’re not properly managed. Some palm trees in the area can even reach 100 feet tall. These trees require us to use additional safety measures and equipment, such as cranes, to be cut down and hauled away.
How Quickly You Need Tree Services
We address emergency calls for tree removal as quickly as possible to preserve your property from further damage and to make the area safe. However, emergency tree removal calls don’t always happen during standard business hours. Trees can fall or become unstable during overnight storms, at the start of the weekend, and even during holidays. This can affect the cost of services. Also, if you’re calling about tree removal after a tropical storm or hurricane, all of our local arborists may be facing extensive demand. Having your tree removed promptly may come with additional costs.
Additional Services Related to Tree Removal
If you want to get rid of a tree on your property, tree removal may only be one component of the overall task. Still-standing trees, for example, need to be assessed and safely cut and felled so they aren’t a safety risk and don’t damage adjacent structures. Diseased or infested trees need special handling to minimize the risk of spreading the hazard to other trees on your property. After a tree is cut down, the stump and roots are left behind. Stump grinding is a separate service and we can grind down the stump and protruding roots to near the ground level to mitigate safety concerns or the potential for infestation of the dead, exposed wood.
