Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Dunwoody?
- 2 Does the City of Dunwoody Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Dunwoody?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Dunwoody?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Dunwoody?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Dunwoody?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Dunwoody?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Dunwoody?
Welcome to Dunwoody, Georgia! This is a northern suburb of Atlanta. It has a more laid-back feel but is still close enough to the city to provide a wide variety of activities for residents. You can go zip lining at the Treetop Quest or visit the Dunwoody Nature Center Butterfly Festival. The Zoo Atlanta and Georgia Aquarium are only minutes away, so there are plenty of educational activities for you and the family.
If you want to go shopping, the Perimeter Mall has a wide variety of stores and brands. There’s also the Dunwoody Village and Perimeter Place. Sports lovers can enjoy watching the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Falcons, as well as several other teams.
Because so many of the activities in Dunwoody revolve around the outdoors, it’s clear this is a town that loves its trees. In spite of this, there are a few issues that might require you to cut down a tree.
Old Age
Some of the trees in Dunwoody, Georgia are very old and they begin to show their age. While it’s possible for trees to live hundreds of years, they are not immortal and will one day die. Because of this, it might mean your beloved oak has met its end. If this is the case, it’s better to cut the tree down and replace it with a new sapling rather than let it hang around. It can fall during a bad 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 tip dieback, leaf or needle yellowing or browning, leaf or needle defoliation, leaf shedding, undersized leaves, and thin crowns or canopies.
Disease
Just like humans and animals, trees can catch and spread diseases. Some diseases aren’t easily spread and can be treated. Other diseases can quickly infect other trees which means you’ll need to remove a diseased tree sooner rather than later to prevent the spread.
The problem for many people is learning to recognize that their tree is sick. A trained arborist like ours 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, so you can contact our professionals to assess your tree. Signs that a tree has become infected with a disease include a sudden increase of blackened or dead shoots, soft wood that is easy to crumble, leaves that are wilting or turning yellow or brown out of season, sudden patches of white/gray, mushrooms, or rust spots and lesions on the fruit. Some of the most common tree diseases in Dunwoody include leaf spot disease, canker disease, mold and mildew diseases, and rot of the root system, trunk, or heart.
Pests
Pests are not just annoying, they’re dangerous, especially when it comes to your trees. Some of the more common pests in Dunwoody include emerald ash borers, Asian longhorn beetles, aphids, black turpentine beetles, and termites. Each can do damage to a tree in its own way, but it’s best to deal with a pest infestation as soon as you see it becoming an issue 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, foliage that is riddled with holes, the presence of bundles of insect eggs, or vertical splits in the bark.
Does the City of Dunwoody Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Dunwoody has been recognized as a Tree City USA for nine years in a row now. Because of this, Dunwoody takes cutting down trees very seriously. If you wish to cut down a tree, you’ll be required to fill out a permit for trees that fit the following criteria: Any hardwood with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of ten inches or greater; (2) Softwoods with a DBH of 20 inches or greater; and/or (3) Understory with a DBH of six inches or greater.
Dunwoody is unlikely to help you cut down a tree, but will probably help remove a fallen tree that is obstructing traffic due to falling in the middle of the road or on a sidewalk. The only other exception is if the tree fell on power lines.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Dunwoody?
In most cases, the homeowner is responsible for removing a fallen tree, but this is not always the case. There are a few notable exceptions that will result in someone else paying to remove a fallen tree.
If you’re a homeowner?
For the most part, 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 Dunwoody might help. It’s recommended that you talk to your insurance agent to make sure your current plan will help cover the cost of removing a fallen tree.
If you’re a renter?
It’s very rare that a renter would be 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 invest in renters insurance. This will help cover you in the event that the tree falls on your personal property. It might cost you a little extra each month, but in the event that a tree falls, it’s well worth it.
If you’re a landlord?
The landlord will most likely always be responsible for removing a fallen tree, as it’s their property. The exception is if it’s written into the lease, in which case the renter will be responsible.
If you’re a neighbor?
This is where things get a little tricky when it comes to figuring out who’s responsible for removing a fallen tree. In most cases, the owner will remove it. This is all the more true if the tree were diseased or dead. If that’s the case, then the tree owner will be the responsible party. Should you notice your neighbor’s tree is dead or dying, and you fear it will fall on your property, it’s recommended that you speak to your neighbor. If they don’t act within a reasonable time limit, then send them a certified letter reminding them. This will be a gentle nudge, as well as proof that they were aware of the situation in case the tree does fall and they still refuse to have it removed. The certified letter will act as proof that they were aware of the situation but refused to act.
On the other hand, if the tree were healthy and was knocked down in a storm, you’ll most likely be responsible for removing the tree. Because it fell due to weather, it will be considered an ‘Act of God,’ and therefore, isn’t your neighbor’s fault.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Dunwoody?
Soil plays a huge role in what types of trees you can grow in a specific area, as well as how well they’ll thrive. The soil in Dunwoody is perfect for growing a variety of trees. The soil samples in Dunwoody show there is inorganic material such as old igneous and metamorphic rocks like granite, gneiss, mica schist, hornblende schist, and steatite (soapstone). There is also red-clay, sandy soils, stony loam, clay loam, gravelly loam, and stony clay loam.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Dunwoody?
Dunwoody, Georgia tends to have rather mild weather. The high is usually around 87 degrees Fahrenheit and the low is around 31 degrees. Because the temperature can get below freezing, this may be enough to kill young saplings, but the cold shouldn’t bother more mature trees.
Dunwoody does get more rain than most of the US. It averages about 54 inches a year, compared to the national average of 38 inches. Because of this, it’s not uncommon for Dunwoody to see flash flooding. While trees typically prevent damage from flooding, if the tree is diseased or dying, it’s possible for the tree to fall due to heavy rains.
Other types of precipitation common to Dunwoody include sleet or hail, which can damage trees. It can weigh branches down, causing them to break and fall. Snow isn’t that big of an issue, as Dunwoody only averages about one inch a year.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Dunwoody?
Georgia Power will help trim back trees that are close to power lines in Dunwoody. The company will come out on a cyclical pruning schedule to help make sure that no limbs are getting close to power lines. If you notice a tree with limbs overhanging, you can contact the Georgia Power company and request that they prune the trees sooner.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Dunwoody?
Most tree removals in Dunwoody fall between $180 and $2,100, with an average total of around $750. There are several factors that determine how much tree removal will cost such as the size of the tree, the location, and what type of equipment will be used.
Size
Some of the trees in Dunwoody are very old and have gotten very tall as a result. Other trees have a wide diameter. If this is the case, a simple cut to the base of the tree is not the proper way to cut it down. Our tree trimmer must 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 short and thin.
Location
Trees that are located in the middle of the forest will cost less to cut down than a tree that is located between two houses. 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 the home.
Equipment
Some trees can be cut down with an axe. Other trees require a chainsaw. Trees that are too dangerous to climb will also require that our tree trimmer bring out a bucket truck, which will increase the final cost.