Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Carrollton?
- 2 Does the City of Carrollton Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Carrollton?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Carrollton?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Carrollton?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Carrollton?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Carrollton?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Carrollton?
We have a wide variety of trees in northwest Georgia. They have their share of issues, no matter how well you take care of them. Here are the most common tree issues we have in Carrollton:
Old Age
We have a lot of old trees in Carrollton and some are starting to show their age. Trees can live hundreds of years, but they are not immortal, and will one day die. This might mean your beloved oak has met its end. If so, it’s better to cut the tree down and replace it with a new sapling than let it hang around, getting weaker and weaker. It can fall during a storm and do a lot of damage. Some people have even been killed by falling trees, so it’s important to act as soon as you know your tree is dying. According to the University of Georgia, signs your tree is dying include twig dieback, leaf or needle browning and defoliation, leaf shedding, undersized leaves, and thin canopies.
Disease
Just like humans and animals, trees can catch and spread diseases. Some diseases don’t spread easily and can be treated. Other diseases can infect other trees within days, which means you’ll need to remove a diseased tree sooner rather than later to prevent the spread.
The problem for many is learning to recognize that their tree is infected. We will quickly be able to identify it, but other people may not know what to look for. Luckily, there are a few ways to know something is wrong.
Signs that a tree has become infected with disease include a sudden increase of dead shoots, soft wood that easily crumbles, leaves that are wilting or turning brown out of season, sudden patches of white or gray, mushrooms, or rust spots and lesions on the fruit. Some of the most common tree diseases in Carrollton include leaf spot disease, canker disease, mold and mildew diseases, and root rot.
Pests
When it comes to the trees in your yard, pests are not just annoying, they’re also dangerous. Some of the more common pests in Carrollton include emerald ash borers, Asian longhorn beetles, aphids, black turpentine beetles, and termites. Each can do damage to a tree in a variety of ways. It’s best to deal with a pest infestation as soon as you see it, before the pests spread to other trees.
Signs that your tree is under attack from pests include a sudden onset of dead branches, larvae found beneath the bark, insect emergence holes in bark or foliage, the presence of insect eggs, and vertical splits in the bark.
Does the City of Carrollton Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Carrollton takes cutting down trees very seriously. If you want to cut down a tree, you’ll be required to fill out a permit for trees that fits the following criteria:
- Any hardwood with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of five inches or greater
- Softwoods with a DBH of 10 inches or greater
Carrollton city officials are unlikely to help you cut down a tree, but will probably help remove a fallen tree that is obstructing traffic or a danger to the public. The other exception is if the tree fell on power lines.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Carrollton?
In most cases, the homeowner is responsible for removing a fallen tree, but not always. There are a few exceptions that will result in someone else paying to remove a fallen tree.
If you’re a homeowner?
Typically, homeowners are responsible for removing a fallen tree. The exception might be if the tree falls in the middle of the road, in which case the city might help. It’s recommended that you talk to your insurance agent to make sure your current plan will cover the cost of removing a fallen tree.
If you’re a renter?
Renters are rarely responsible for removing a fallen tree, especially for an apartment complex. The only exception would be if it is written into the lease that the renter is responsible.
Even so, it’s recommended that you purchase renters insurance. This will ensure you’re covered if the tree falls on your personal property. It will cost you a little extra each month, but it’s well worth it if a tree falls.
If you’re a landlord?
The landlord will typically be responsible for removing a fallen tree, as it’s their property. If it’s written into the lease, the renter is responsible.
If you’re a neighbor?
This is where things can get confusing when it comes to figuring out who’s responsible for removing a fallen tree. In most cases, the owner is responsible. This is even truer if the tree is diseased or dead. If so, then the tree owner will be the responsible party. If you notice that your neighbor’s tree is dead or dying, and you fear it will fall on your property, speak to your neighbor. If they don’t act within a reasonable time, then send them a certified letter reminding them. This will serve as proof that they were aware of the situation in case the tree does fall, and they still refuse to have it removed.
If the tree were healthy and was knocked down in a storm, however, you’ll most likely be responsible for removing the tree. If it fell due to weather, it will be considered an act of God, and not your neighbor’s fault.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Carrollton?
Soil plays a huge role in which trees you can grow in a specific area as well as how well they’ll thrive. The soil in Carrollton is perfect for growing all kinds of trees. It is full of inorganic materials such as old igneous and metamorphic rocks like granite, mica schist, and steatite (soapstone). There are also red-clay, sandy soils, and stony, clay, and gravelly loam.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Carrollton?
Carrollton has distinctly mild weather. The high is around 87 degrees Fahrenheit, and the low is approximately 31 degrees. The temperature can get below freezing and may be enough to kill young saplings, but shouldn’t bother more mature trees.
Carrollton gets more rain than most of the US. It averages over 50 inches a year, compared to the national average of 38 inches. It’s also not uncommon to see flash flooding. While trees typically prevent damage from flooding, if the tree is diseased or dying, the tree can fall due to heavy rains.
Other types of precipitation common to Carrollton include sleet and hail, which can damage trees. It weighs down branches, causing them to break and fall. Snow isn’t much of an issue around here, as Carrollton only averages about one inch or less per year.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Carrollton?
Georgia Power will help trim back trees that are close to power lines in Carrollton and areas such as Bowden Junction and Mount Zion. The utility company comes out on a cyclical pruning schedule to help ensure that no limbs are getting close to power lines. If you notice a tree with limbs hanging over a power line, you can alert Georgia Power and request them to come to prune the trees sooner.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Carrollton?
Several factors ascertain how much tree removal will cost such as the size of the tree, the location, and what type of equipment will be used. Most jobs in the area will fall between $180 and $2,100, with an average cost of around $670.
Size
Some of the historic trees in Carrollton are very old and have gotten extremely tall as a result. Other old trees have a wider diameter. If so, a simple cut to the base of the tree is not the proper way to cut it down. Our timber cutter has to climb high into the tree or use a bucket truck, remove branches, and sometimes cut the tree down in sections. This will cost more than if the tree is smaller and thinner.
Location
Trees that are standing alone in the middle of the forest will cost less to cut down than a tree that is located between other structures. This is because our tree trimmer must be extra cautious as they work, so they don’t inadvertently cut down a section of the tree which then damages other trees, homes, or structures around it. It also costs more if your tree has grown into a fence or is hanging near power lines.
Equipment
Some trees can be cut down with an axe; others require a chainsaw, and sometimes more than one chainsaw blade. Others still need to be climbed or pruned before cutting. Trees that are too risky to climb will also require a bucket truck, which will increase the final cost.