Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Dallas?
- 2 Does the City of Dallas Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Dallas?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Dallas?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Dallas?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Dallas?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Dallas?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Dallas?
The lovely landscape of Dallas contains a diverse range of native trees, including white oak, southern magnolia, and loblolly pine. To preserve the plant life in this area, it is important to be aware of some of the most common tree issues in Dallas. These include:
Root Rot
One of the most common types of diseases in Georgia, root rot will most often occur in soil that is perpetually wet. This can be caused either by overwatering or poor drainage. When a tree is being impacted by a root rot disease, it will show general signs of poor health. Visible indications include yellowing foliage, stunted growth, cankers, and wilting leaves. If not properly treated, root rot can lead to tree death. Many root rot diseases can be treated with fungicides and can be prevented by improving soil drainage and minimizing plant stress.
Botrytis Blight
This disease can appear as wilting leaves, cankers on the tree trunk, and crown rot. It can be spread very easily through wind and water, as well as by insects. Botrytis blight is a particular threat to ornamental plant life, and its spread can be controlled by removing infected leaves.
Leaf Rust
Leaf rust can be identified by the orange spores that appear on infected leaves. This type of disease commonly impacts crabapple trees and can be managed by preventing prolonged periods of plant wetness.
Does the City of Dallas Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
If there is a hazardous tree on public property, the city of Dallas is responsible for trimming or removing it. The job of the Public Works Department is to maintain the daily health and safety of the community. If you would like to report a hazardous tree, you can contact the Dallas Public Works Service Division at (770) 443-8110 ext. 1401. You can also visit in person at 320 E. Foster Avenue.
However, while Dallas officials are responsible for maintaining the city’s public property, they will not provide assistance for tree removal problems on private property. If you are having an issue with a tree in your own yard, you will be responsible for handling its removal. If you have debris such as tree limbs that are shorter than 5 feet, Dallas does offer free yard debris pickup services. You can schedule a pickup by calling (770) 443-8110 ext. 1406.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Dallas?
Typically, the person who owns the property that the tree fell on will be responsible for its removal. Sometimes, however, the situation can get complicated. In order to properly determine who should arrange for the tree’s removal, here’s how to figure out who is responsible in these common scenarios.
If you’re a homeowner?
Because you own the property, you are the one who will be responsible for removing a tree if it should fall. In most cases, you should be able to file a claim with your insurance to get assistance. This is particularly true if the tree damaged your personal property when it fell. However, do be aware that if the tree was dead or diseased before it fell, you may be found responsible and will not be able to receive the same amount of assistance from your insurance.
If you’re a renter?
Unless there is a clause in your lease stating that you are in charge of maintaining the property, your landlord will be the person responsible for removing a fallen tree. If the tree damaged any of your personal property when it fell, you should be sure to file a claim with your renter’s insurance, as you will likely be eligible for reimbursement.
If you’re a landlord?
As a landlord, you will need to arrange for the removal of any fallen trees on your property. The state of Georgia does not have any formal requirements stating that landowners need to regularly inspect their properties or care for their trees. Even so, trees are a very important asset, and it is an excellent idea to regularly check on them to ensure they do not fall due to any preventable causes such as disease or pests.
If you’re a neighbor?
Unfortunately, if your neighbor’s tree falls onto your property, you become responsible for its removal. If you have noticed that a neighbor’s tree looks sickly and your neighbor is refusing to care for it, you should consider alerting them to its condition in writing. This will enable you to prove that your neighbor was aware of their tree’s health problems before it fell, which will mean they will be liable for any damages. If the tree simply fell due to natural causes such as a storm, the neighbor cannot be held legally responsible. However, they may still be willing to help you arrange for its removal.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Dallas?
The soil in Dallas is predominantly sandy loam. In order to be classified as sandy loam, this type of soil must contain at least 70% sand. Sandy soils are somewhat challenging for gardening, as they do not retain water particularly well. This type of soil also does not contain as many nutrients like some other soils. However, since the soil in Dallas is a combination of sand and loam, it provides a slightly better environment for tree growth.
For trees to maintain their health in this type of soil, it is important to provide regular irrigation. Trees that do well here are those that thrive in very well-drained soils. Species that require significantly higher moisture levels will not perform as well.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Dallas?
The climate in Dallas is fairly mild, with winter temperatures that tend to stay in the 30s and 40s. This city is located in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b, meaning that the lowest average winter temperature will range from 5° to 10° F. Dallas also gets approximately 53 inches of precipitation every year. This is slightly higher than the national average and helps keep the trees adequately watered even in the area’s sandy loam soil.
Overall, USDA Hardiness Zone 7 provides an excellent climate for tree growth. Trees that perform well in this type of weather include:
- Japanese maple
- White dogwood
- Crabapple
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Dallas?
If a dead tree is located near a power line, it poses a significant danger to anyone in the surrounding area. When a tree is touching a live wire, it runs the risk of becoming energized. If this happens, the tree can electrocute anyone who touches it, and it may catch fire. While any tree located too close to a power line can be dangerous, dead trees pose a particular risk, as they are more likely to fall and bring the power line down with them. If this happens, it will cause widespread power outages and present a serious electrocution risk to anyone in the immediate vicinity.
The severity of this type of hazard means that it is the responsibility of your local electric utility company to monitor the power lines and ensure that hazardous trees are promptly trimmed or removed. In Dallas, the two electric companies that provide power to residents are Carroll EMC and Cobb EMC. According to Carroll EMC, tree limbs falling on power lines is the top cause of power outages in this area. Both Carroll EMC and Cobb EMC will trim or remove hazardous trees on public property in their area of coverage. You can report a hazardous tree to Carroll EMC at (770) 832-3552, or Cobb EMC at (770) 429-2100.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Dallas?
Tree removal costs are difficult to predict, as they can vary widely depending on several factors. In general, homeowners in Dallas can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $1,900 or more for tree removal. Here are a few considerations that are likely to impact your costs.
Tree Health
When a tree is healthy, it is significantly quicker and easier for us to remove. Diseased trees are much more challenging to safely remove. In part, this is because diseased or heavily decayed trees tend to be structurally weak. To safely remove them, our crew members must exercise additional levels of caution, work slowly, and utilize more equipment to prevent any accidents. Once the tree has been safely removed, our crew must often follow certain safety protocols in order to safely dispose of the wood without spreading the disease. The extra time requirements and safety risks of this type of tree removal mean that it will be more expensive.
Tree Size
Along a similar vein, a large tree will take more time and equipment for our team to safely remove. While smaller trees can be removed fairly easily, large trees with expansive canopies will typically need to be removed in sections. As such, the larger a tree is, the pricier it will be to remove.
Ease of Access
Trees that are located in certain types of environments often pose unique challenges. If your tree is located on a slope or has lots of other structures or power lines nearby, it will take significantly more time to plan and orchestrate its safe removal. In an ideal situation, the tree will be located on a flat surface with no trees, buildings, or power lines nearby. While this ideal landscape is not always possible, be aware that the more challenging it is for our crew members to access your tree, the more expensive it will be to remove.