Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Lilburn?
- 2 Does the City of Lilburn Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Lilburn?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Lilburn?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Lilburn?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Lilburn?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Lilburn?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Lilburn?
Lilburn, GA is a gorgeous suburb of Atlanta, located about 30 minutes northeast of the huge metropolitan area. Lilburn is home to about 11,000 residents and is known for having excellent schools, a diverse population, and tons of natural beauty. The city also offers mild winters, hot summers, and abundant sunshine, which culminate in gorgeous greenery in and around the city. Unfortunately, trees in Lilburn are subjected to fungi, bacteria, pests, and other stressful conditions that can negatively affect their health. The three most common tree issues we see in Lilburn include powdery mildew, root rot, and pine beetles.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a fungus that regularly infects the leaves of various trees and absorbs water and nutrients from plant cells. There are over 1,000 species of fungi that can cause powdery mildew, and some of the most common trees that host the fungus include maples, dogwoods, and oaks. Powdery mildew is often identified by leaving behind white spots on leaves, severe crinkling of leaves, and a powdery film on fruits.
Fortunately, powdery mildew isn’t usually fatal, but it’s still important to address it as soon as possible. Allowing fungi to feed on plants and trees can cause them a great deal of stress, making them more susceptible to deadly diseases.
Root Rot
Root rot is a very common issue for trees in many areas of Georgia, especially those that get lots of rain like Lilburn. Like powdery mildew, root rot is caused by fungi that thrive in moist and warm environments. In Georgia, the most common fungi species that cause root rot are Phytophthora, Pythium, and Rhizoctonia. Root rot can be difficult to detect, as it tends to affect roots that are buried deep in the ground, though yellowing leaves and rotting fruits can indicate a root rot problem.
Root rot commonly plagues trees that are subjected to large amounts of water without enough time to allow the soil to aerate in between. Once root rot takes hold, it’s nearly impossible to save the tree, but precautionary measures for other trees become the top priority. Root rot can spread to nearby trees and plants easily, so treatment may include the removal of the affected tree and fungicides to prevent the spread to nearby organisms.
Pine Beetles
Pine beetles are an important part of the local ecosystem, as they can help clear dead and dying trees to make room for newer and healthier ones to grow. Sadly, pine beetles can become too enthusiastic with their job and attack trees that would otherwise remain standing. Pine beetles like to lay their eggs beneath the bark of trees, and these eggs secrete chemicals that prevent the tree from absorbing key nutrients. Plus, pine beetle eggs release a pheromone that attracts more pine beetles to come and lay their eggs, creating a vicious cycle.
Pine beetles have killed thousands of trees in recent years, so it’s important to enlist the help of our tree experts as soon as you notice a problem. Key symptoms of a pine beetle attack are flaked bark, vertical and horizontal lines on the bark, the presence of white larvae, and the yellowing of trees or needles, typically from the top of the tree to the bottom.
Does the City of Lilburn Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Yes, the City of Lilburn provides free removal of yard debris, including shrubbery, limbs, and small trees every week. The staff attempts to check each street in the city once per week to look for yard debris, though busier times of the year make it difficult to reach everyone regularly. You can also submit an online request if your yard waste has not been collected for over two weeks.
This service only applies to small logs and limbs that are placed directly by the road and are easy to access. Limbs or entire trees cut by private services must be taken care of by the same agency and won’t apply to free street pickup.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Lilburn?
Fallen tree removal in Lilburn is usually taken care of by the owner of the property the tree fell on, though there are some exceptions. Either way, it’s helpful to understand who is responsible for tree removal in certain scenarios ahead of time and talk about it with your neighbors, renters, or landlord to avoid heated disputes when a tree does fall.
If you’re a homeowner?
Owning a home and land is something many people aspire to someday, and it comes with plenty of perks. One drawback to owning property, however, is that you become responsible for the removal of fallen trees and property damage that occurs from it. For this reason, it’s important to perform regular preventative maintenance like pruning on your yard’s trees to keep them healthy, strong, and resilient.
If you’re a renter?
Renting a home offers the convenience of having the property owner handling large home maintenance projects, like roof replacement or fixing plumbing issues. In most cases, landlords are responsible for getting a fallen tree removed, unless the rental agreement states that renters will have to take care of this task. Some rental agreements do state that tenants are responsible for basic lawn care, though this rarely includes tree removal.
If you notice a tree that looks unhealthy or hazardous, it’s best to let your landlord know right away, so that they can take care of it in a timely manner.
If you’re a landlord?
Just because you don’t live at a property you own doesn’t mean you’re off the hook in the case of a fallen tree. For the most part, landlords are responsible for keeping their trees healthy to avoid endangering their tenants, and this usually includes prompt fallen tree removal. When trees fall and damage a tenant’s property, such as a car, landlords likely won’t be responsible for property damage unless the tree clearly posed a hazard. If your tenant alerts you about a tree that seems ill or dead, it’s best to get it taken care of right away.
If you’re a neighbor?
When a tree falls from one neighbor’s yard to the other, the person who owns the property the tree fell on becomes responsible for its removal. It doesn’t matter which yard the tree was rooted in, it mostly matters where it ended up. If you have trees that are on or near your property line, it can be helpful to discuss these matters with neighbors before they occur. Some neighbors decide to split the costs of tree care and removal to avoid debates and keep things fair.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Lilburn?
Georgia is known for having soil that contains high concentrations of red clay. Clay is an important component in soil for plants, as it swells and absorbs moisture and nutrients, allowing trees to get enough water and nourishment. Like many parts of life, too much of a good thing (clay) can become problematic, especially when it holds onto too much water after heavy rainfalls. This can keep roots overly hydrated and prevent oxygen from integrating into the soil, sometimes leading to root rot.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Lilburn?
Lilburn gets plenty of heat, humidity, rain, and sunshine, and these can all help trees grow healthy and stay strong. At the same time, these conditions are also conducive to fungi, bacteria, and pests, and trees that are already stressed from too much rain or drought can become weakened enough to easily succumb to these diseases. Lilburn isn’t close enough to the ocean to regularly experience hurricanes, though hurricanes that hit the coast can often send high winds and heavy rains to the area, which can be enough to topple large and healthy trees over.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Lilburn?
Georgia Power regularly prunes trees near power lines to prevent branch interference and power outages, and they don’t take individual requests for pruning trees. If you see a down power line or one with a dead tree entangled in it, you should call their emergency number at 1-888-891-0938, so that they can safely restore the area.
If you need trees removed or branches pruned near a power line by a private company, it’s required that you call the Utilities Protection Center at 1-800-282-7411 to ask for safeguards before the work begins.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Lilburn?
Removing a tree in Lilburn costs about $600 on average, though the actual cost may vary depending upon your unique situation. The three most important factors that go into the cost of tree removal include the size of the tree, the location of the tree, and whether other special services had to be performed.
Size of the Tree
Generally, the larger the tree the more it will cost you to remove it. Thin or short saplings are easy enough to remove with minimal staff and equipment, and that will be reflected in your final bill. Trees that are several feet wide or several stories tall are much harder to remove, and more staff will likely be required. It will also take much longer to remove larger trees, and those labor hours will be factored in.
Location of the Tree
If the tree in question is out in the middle of nowhere, not near any buildings or other property, our staff may be able to use less complex procedures for removal that will cost you less. If, on the other hand, the tree is in a difficult-to-reach location or is near your house, our staff will likely have to use bracing or other more complicated techniques to remove the tree, yielding a higher bill.
Other Services Provided
It’s one thing to remove a tree that’s simply in the way, but if a tree was infected with a communicable illness, it’s important to utilize disease prevention services to stop the spread of the pest or illness before it infects and kills other trees on your property. It will cost extra to have fungicides applied or pest control employed, but these services can save you money in the long run by keeping your other trees healthy and alive.