AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Blairsville, GA

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Blairsville?

Blairsville is filled with vibrant, healthy forests and thriving trees. Unfortunately, these trees are susceptible to common threats that can damage them or cause premature tree death. Damaged, weak, or diseased trees can become a threat to residents in the area and may require removal. These are the most common issues affecting trees in Blairsville.

Insects

Invasive insects attack entire species of trees and cause damage to the bark, tree trunks and branches, and foliage. Insects that target trees can make trees more susceptible to disease or cause irreversible damage often leading to premature tree death. Common tree insects in Blairsville include:

• Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA): This insect targets hemlock trees and is the single biggest threat to hemlocks in Blairsville. The tiny non-native insect infests trees and can kill a healthy tree within five years.
• Southern Pine Beetle (SPB): These insects are a recurring epidemic that is worsening with time and is assisted by drought. Southern Pine Beetles attack the trunks of Loblolly pines and feed on the tissue beneath the bark. They reproduce rapidly and infest trees. The infestation also allows entry for other types of beetles. The feeding of such a substantial number of insects often results in early tree death.
• Asian Citrus Psyllid: These insects infect different species of citrus trees and cause citrus greening. Once a tree is infected with citrus greening, there is no cure. Symptoms of infestation include lopsided, bitter, and hard fruit and blotchy mottling of leaves. Fruit that remains green even when ripe and twig dieback are also common symptoms.
• Gypsy Moth: Female gypsy moths have the ability to lay hundreds of eggs that produce caterpillars that feed on the tree leaves of many species of trees and shrubs. Large infestations can result in complete loss of foliage, leaving trees vulnerable to disease, sunburn, and starvation. 
• Asian Longhorned Beetle: These beetles target all types of hardwoods and are a danger to forests as well as yard trees. Spread by cut wood like firewood and wood packing material, Asian Longhorned Beetles infest a variety of trees causing bark damage, holes in tree trunks, and yellowed leaves. Damage and stress due to prolonged feeding can cause early tree death. Once infestation occurs, there is no cure.

Fire

As climate change brings about cycles of heavy rain followed by drought, forests experience extremely dry periods. Additionally, hemlocks and pines that have succumbed to insect infestation provide dry, dead wood to fuel the flames. Often, insect-infested trees remain standing after death until severe storms topple them. These standing, dead pines and hemlocks increase the spread and danger of forest fires.

Disease

Unfortunately, there are also many diseases that attack different species of trees in Blairsville. Different diseases attack roots, leaves, or the circulatory system of a variety of tree species. While not all tree diseases kill trees, they often cause the tree to deteriorate in different ways, making it more vulnerable to other tree stressors. The most common tree diseases in Blairsville include:

• Annosus Root Disease: Caused by different types of fungus, Annosus root disease results in the rotting of tree roots and the lower trunk of fir trees. Trees of all ages can die from the disease.
• Loblolly Pine Decline: Loblolly pines are the leading source of timber species in the southern United States. The decline of these trees represents a danger to the logging and construction industries. Symptoms of loblolly pine decline include short chlorotic needles, sparse crowns, and reduced trunk thickness. Affected trees are typically over 35 years old, and tree death can occur 2 to 3 years after these symptoms are observed.
• Brown Spot Needle Blight: A fungus affecting pines, brown spot needle blight causes browning and needle loss. Infected trees have slow growth and often have bare lower branches. The disease can kill young trees.
• Oak Leaf Blister: Caused by a fungus, oak leaf blister causes blistering and yellowing of oak leaves. The appearance may be alarming but rarely affects the health of trees. Trees facing additional stress from insects or drought could be further weakened by the disease.
• Dogwood Anthracnose: Caused by a fungus, this disease can affect all species of flowering dogwood trees. Infection typically begins with spots on leaves during rainy seasons. Infected trees are severely weakened so that secondary canker and root rot diseases can infect and kill the tree.
• Dutch Elm Disease: This disease affects many species of elm trees. Early symptoms include yellowing and wilting of leaves. As symptoms progress, branches die and the disease spreads throughout the tree’s canopy. Death can result in a year from infection.
• Black Knot: Usually found in plum and cherry trees, black knot is a fungal infection. Characterized by dark swelling bumps, the disease can weaken, misshape, and eventually kill trees that are left untreated.

Severe Storms

Thunderstorms in Blairsville frequently bring high winds, hail, and lightning damage to local trees. High winds usually cause the most significant storm damage, breaking large limbs, toppling trees, and leaving large amounts of storm debris in yards and across roads in the area. These trees can also cause severe damage when located near power lines and buildings. Hail occurs with moderate frequency during Blairsville storms, damaging tree foliage, limbs, and bark.

Soil Compaction

Compacted soil occurs due to vehicle travel, construction, and foot traffic. While these actions occur across the nation, they can seriously impact tree growth in certain areas. Forests in Blairsville are beloved and enjoyed by residents in many ways. Activities like hiking, biking, and camping are a healthy way for local residents to enjoy nature, but failure to provide care for the soil can inhibit tree growth. Soil compaction crushes the soil together forming a hard ground surface that limits oxygen and hydration from getting to the roots of trees.

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

Assistance for tree removal is not provided by the city of Blairsville. However, all Union County roads are maintained by the road department. This means trees that fall across or endanger roadways may be removed by the county road department.

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Blairsville?

In Blairsville, the responsibility of fallen tree removal usually belongs to the owner of the property. As a property owner, if you know a problem exists within one of your trees, it’s your responsibility to have the tree removed before damage occurs. 

If you’re a homeowner?

As a property owner, it’s your responsibility to keep your property safe. This means the removal of dead or dying trees on your property is your responsibility.

If you’re a renter?

As a renter, you don’t own the property where you live. Unless it’s included in the maintenance requirements section of your lease, tree removal is not your responsibility.

If you’re a landlord?

As a landlord, you’re also the owner of the property. As such, tree removal is your responsibility. However, if you’re a property manager instead of the owner, examine your employment contract for details about your maintenance responsibilities and tree removal.

If you’re a neighbor?

As a neighbor, you have the right to clean up debris on your property or cut overhanging branches to the point where trimming doesn’t cause damage to the tree’s health. You may not cut a tree that isn’t growing on your property or a jointly owned tree. To address tree issues, begin by discussing the problem with your neighbor. If the issue persists, contact our professional arborists for an inspection.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Blairsville?

The soil in Blairsville mostly consists of mountain reddish brown loamy soil. Generally, this soil provides a healthy base for many native trees, plants, and shrubs. However, the soil is vulnerable to compaction in heavily traveled areas, which can lead to tree damage, stormwater runoff, and poor tree growth.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Blairsville?

Yes. Storms that occur during the spring and summer in Blairsville can result in fallen trees, lost foliage, and broken and damaged tree branches. Other common weather woes for trees in Blairsville include damage from harsh winter weather, tree shock, and premature death from drought. The effects of tree insects in the area combined with drought also leave the area vulnerable to severe damage from wildfires.

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Blairsville?

Never attempt to trim or remove trees that are touching or near active power lines. It is the responsibility of the utility company (Blue Ridge Mountain EMC) to remove trees affecting public power lines. If the tree affects a service line running directly to your home, you’ll still need to call your utility company. The power can be turned off to the line before work is completed.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Blairsville?

The cost of tree removal in Union County, GA is usually between $473 and $644 with the average cost being around $558. There are certain factors that can raise or lower the cost of your tree services. For instance, complications and the length of time required for removal can increase your costs. The below factors can impact the cost of tree removal in Blairsville.

Dangerous Removal

Severe storms and pest damage are the most common reasons for tree removal in Blairsville. These factors can severely damage the structure of the tree, making removal difficult and dangerous for our crews. Weakened trees can break or fall, causing injury when proper removal techniques and specialized tools aren’t utilized. Creating a safe environment for the removal of dangerous trees will increase the cost of your tree removal.

Location

Where your tree is located on your property will determine how easily it can be removed. For instance, a tree that requires removal in your backyard or near a property line may be more difficult to access and remove than a tree located near the street.

Debris Removal

Our tree removal experts take proper debris removal seriously. If your trees are damaged by local pests or diseases, proper disposal of debris can help avoid the transmission of disease to other trees. Our team takes care of debris removal at the request of our customers, but removal can add to the cost of your service.