Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in McDonough?
- 2 Does the City of McDonough Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in McDonough?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in McDonough?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in McDonough?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in McDonough?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in McDonough?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in McDonough?
There are a few common issues affecting the trees that we see most often in the McDonough area.
Root Rot
When the soil around your trees becomes oversaturated with water, a fungal infection can take hold. This root rot can quickly damage or even kill your trees. The high rainfall and high humidity of the area contribute to the prevalence of root rot in McDonough. The worst part is that trees that have root rot can spread the fungus to other trees nearby through interwoven root systems.
There are several things you can look for if you think you have root rot in your trees. The leaves may be smaller than average and pale in color. Branches will show stunted growth and there may be fungus patches present near the base of the tree.
Root rot can sometimes be treated when caught early or can be reversed so as to not impact other nearby trees.
Black Knot
This disease is typically noticed in early winter after all of the leaves have fallen. You’ll notice the tree’s branches will often become distorted or bent as a symptom of abnormal bumps that black knot produces.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is usually discovered quite late in summer and develops quickly during humid-hot weather. This disease greatly resembles a severe accumulation of white dust on the tree’s leaves.
Oak Leaf Blister
Conditions develop in spring when the weather is wet, humid, and mild. This disease attacks the buds of the oak leaves just when they start to open. Blister-like marks appear on the upper surfaces of the leaves.
The Southern Pine Beetle (SPB)
The southern pine beetle (SPB)—Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)—is the most destructive insect pest of pine forests in 13 southeastern states and parts of Mexico and Central America. SPBs feed on phloem tissue, which is the layer of tissue directly underneath the bark of the tree. This is where the insects construct winding S-shaped trails throughout the wood. These trails can effectively girdle a tree, causing its death. Unfortunately, once these little beetles have colonized a tree, the tree cannot survive regardless of control measures.
You might be able to slow down or stop an insect infestation if you catch it early enough. However, recognizing the signs of pest damage to the trees on your property can be difficult. You’ll need to contact our arborists for help or look for any evidence of:
- Leaf discoloration, holes in leaves, or misshapen edges of foliage
- Poor growth
- Bark that is missing, damaged, or discolored
- Obvious signs of weakness near joints of branches
- Insects crawling on or around the tree
- Holes or channels in the trunk, along branches, or in bark
Does the City of McDonough Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The City of McDonough doesn’t help citizens with tree removal issues unless the tree is on public or city property. This includes any trees located on an easement owned by the city. There might be a small area of land at the front of your property that’s an easement. This is particularly common if you have a fire hydrant in front of your home, city storm drains, or other areas the city is required to access. You can always call the city if you think the tree grows on an easement or with questions or concerns regarding tree removal. Call (678) 782- 6272 between the hours of 8 AM-5 PM M-F.
The City of McDonough does, however, provide a limb chipping service. The truck runs through the city each week on a specific schedule for each area of town. The standard guidelines for this service are:
- Limbs need to be smaller than 4 inches in diameter and cut less than 8 feet in length
- All limbs have to be on the right of way; they will not enter private property to pick up limbs.
- Leaves, stumps, root balls, or logs larger than 4 inches in diameter will not be picked up by the city.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in McDonough?
In McDonough, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to remove a fallen tree from their yard. This can get complicated if the tree falls onto shared property like a fence line or onto a public sidewalk.
If you’re a homeowner?
Typically, homeowners are responsible for removing any fallen trees from their private property. In rare cases, the tree grew on an easement before it fell, and the city or a local utility company will likely take care of its removal. Otherwise, cleanup and disposal of the tree are delegated to the property owner.
If you’re a renter?
As a renter in McDonough, you are usually not responsible for lawn or tree maintenance. You’ll have to look over your lease agreement carefully to ensure there is no clause in there making it your job to take care of fallen trees. In most instances, the landlord or homeowner needs to pay for and initiate tree removal.
If you’re a landlord?
Property owners take on the responsibility of ensuring that their property is safe and well-maintained when they agree to rent it to others. Thus, landlords are responsible for removing a fallen tree from the property. Even if the lease agreement with a tenant requires them to do basic yard work, landlords are still responsible for major repairs and upkeep, including the removal of a fallen tree.
If you’re a neighbor?
If a tree falls on a property line, deciding who holds responsibility can be complex. In most cases, the homeowner who owns the land on which the tree grew is responsible for cleaning it up, as they also owned the tree. According to Georgia law, the person who owns the land on which the trunk of the tree existed is responsible for its care, upkeep, and removal. To avoid conflict in case of an incident, it is best to discuss these matters with neighbors before the tree causes problems. Keeping it trimmed and regularly inspected by our arborists can help prevent mishaps.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in McDonough?
Most of Georgia, including much of Henry County, has soil composed of thick dense clay that’s reddish, dubbed “Georgia Red Clay”. This soil can make it difficult to plant trees and shrubs in your yard, because digging deeply enough by hand is not easy. Not only that, soil that is predominately clay does not drain well during periods of heavy rain and doesn’t hold moisture well in dry periods. During drought conditions, clay-rich soil can crack and pull back from the base of trees and shrubs, exposing the roots.
The University of Georgia offers soil and water testing by the county to help homeowners make the best use of the soil they have. They can offer recommendations on additives to add to your soil to help the health and quality of the plants you grow there.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in McDonough?
The weather in McDonough can impact the health of the trees in your yard. In particularly rainy seasons, the increased rain and poor soil drainage can lead to instances of root rot for your trees, shrubs, and bushes. Occasionally, the summer heat can also get the best of your trees, burning leaves and depriving trees of necessary nutrients. McDonough also has a historically high chance of tornados in the area, much higher than other areas of Georgia. High winds associated with tornados and summer thunderstorms can overturn trees, break branches, and uproot entire yards.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in McDonough?
Georgia Power will take care of regular pruning of trees near power lines in order to keep the incidence of power outages at a minimum. In fact, to further reduce outages caused by tree contact with power lines, Georgia Power prunes trees away from its power lines on a planned cycle. Keeping power lines clear of limbs and brush also provides easier access to the lines, which means quicker restoration of power during storms.
It’s important to understand that if you see a dead tree or branch lying on a power line or a power line that has been damaged due to a fallen tree, this becomes an emergency situation. Do not attempt to go near the tree yourself, and contact Georgia Power for further instructions.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in McDonough?
The typical cost for tree removal in the McDonough area is about $500. This ranges from minor cleanups closer to $400 and large projects which can cost over $1,900. There are several factors that go into the final cost, including:
Tree Size
The height and width of your tree will determine the overall cost of the removal. The bigger the tree, the bigger the bill. Wider trees require more labor-intensive measures to remove, and taller trees need to be removed in careful sections to avoid damage to surrounding property. Whereas smaller tree removal doesn’t require such specialized skills.
Tree Location
Where the tree is located on your property can add cost to the charges for removal, as well. If it is close to a fence line, entangled within other trees, or in jeopardy of damaging buildings when it falls, the price will increase.
Additional Services
Many McDonough homeowners forget that tree removal is not just a one-step process. If you intend to also have stumps removed, branches cut into firewood, or smaller limbs chipped into mulch, the cost will increase.
