AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Social Circle, GA

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Social Circle?

The rolling Piedmont landscape surrounding Social Circle was originally home to mainly oak and hickory trees, with very few pines. Now American beech, buckeye, chestnut, sugar maple, yellow poplar, and many others abound. Eastern red cedar and a wide variety of pines have also joined the many different native oaks and hickories.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, planting elderberry, laurel oak, loblolly pine, mulberry, pawpaw, persimmon, redbud, red cedar, southern crabapple, wild plum, or willow oak will attract wildlife to our properties. These native trees will beautifully enhance our yards and provide plenty of wildlife watching opportunities. Some of them even offer fruit we can enjoy!

Keep an eye out for these tree pests:

• Unhealthy or stressed pine trees can attract destructive pine bark beetles. These devastating pests are even attracted to pine residue, so always burn or remove sawdust, chips, twigs, or other pine residues promptly.
• Other tunneling pests to watch out for are ambrosia beetles with their cultivated mold-type fungus. These pests attack stressed or dying trees. Transplanted trees that are more than 3 or 4 inches in diameter at ground level are especially at risk.
• Black turpentine beetles will quickly attack damaged or drought-stressed trees. The turpentine odor produced by tree wounds is a huge draw for these pests.

For a comprehensive list of pests and diseases that can affect our valued Social Circle trees, check out the University of Georgia’s ForestPests.org website. Of course, any trees we plant will also need to be hardy enough to survive our average low winter temperatures of 10-15 degrees (USDA plant hardiness zone 8a) and occasional droughts.

Does the City of Social Circle Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?

The town of Social Circle maintains all of the trees in public spaces. That includes pruning or removing any trees that are on public land and which present a danger to the public. The town also has a Tree Board that works to protect and preserve the town’s trees. This includes overseeing the planting of trees during new construction. The Tree Board provides a list of approved tree species and the percentage of tree canopy required for different building zones.

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Social Circle?

If a tree falls on private property in Social Circle, it’s generally the responsibility of the tree’s owner to safely remove it. The town will notify property owners of any tree on their property that poses a hazard to people, property, or other trees ( because of insects or disease). The owner has 60 days to take care of the problem or the town will step in and do it for them. If the town does the pruning or tree removal, the cost will be added to the owner’s property taxes. 

If you’re a homeowner?

In return for the many benefits that trees provide, we have the responsibility of taking care of any problems that arise from the trees on our property. That includes the cost of removing any of our trees that may fall or need to be taken down for safety reasons. Check with your insurance agent to see if your homeowner’s insurance has a clause that covers fallen trees.

If you’re a renter?

Being a renter has occasional perks and some of those perks relate to landscaping. If a tree on your rental property falls, it’s your landlord’s responsibility to pay for its removal. Your landlord may also be held responsible for any damage a tree might do to your personal property, such as a limb falling onto your car. 

Just to be safe, it’s a good idea to see if your renter’s insurance covers such ‘Acts of God’.

If you’re a landlord?

According to Social Circle’s city ordinances, property owners are responsible for all trees on their property. It doesn’t matter who is living on the property, it’s the property owner’s responsibility to take care of any fallen trees.

If you’re a neighbor?

Unless the tree is actually growing on your property, you don’t have to worry. The tree’s removal and covering any damage it did on its way down are the responsibility of whoever the tree belonged to. Unless it’s obvious who owned the tree, you might need to check with the town’s Tree Board to see if it was one of the town’s trees.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Social Circle?

Before planting, we need to ensure that a tree will thrive in Social Circle’s acidic clay soil. This well-known ‘Georgia red clay‘ gets its color from the unhydrated iron oxides and other minerals (mostly aluminum and silica) it contains. A strong red color usually indicates good soil aeration and drainage. 

Although the bare soil is generally low in natural fertility, it responds well to added amendments like compost and other organic matter. This will also help neutralize some of its naturally high acidity. If a tree needs a neutral or base pH, you’ll probably need to add lime at the time of planting to raise the pH to tolerable levels. A soil test will tell you how much is needed.

When planting a tree, dig an area at least 6′ in diameter and at least 1′ deep. You’ll plant your tree in the center of this area. Add compost or other amendments to the entire area and mix well before planting. This will encourage the tree’s roots to spread far and wide in search of nutrients and water. An expansive root system can help protect the tree during times of extremely high heat or drought.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Social Circle?

Trees in Georgia have to deal with everything from torrential rains to months of drought. Add in lightning, tornadoes, and the occasional hurricane and it’s a wonder any of them survive! Fortunately, trees are generally resilient enough to roll with the weather punches.

The Georgia Forestry Commission has several written resources available for homeowners dealing with storm-damaged trees.

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Social Circle?

Every 3 years or so, Georgia Power trims any trees that are encroaching on the power line easements (15′ on either side of the power line). This trimming is a safety measure to keep trees from becoming dangerous electrical conduits. It also helps keep our power reliably flowing where it’s needed. Contact them if you notice a dead or dangerous tree near their power lines.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Social Circle?

Tree removal costs depend upon a number of variables. In general, the more damaged or unhealthy a tree is, the more dangerous the job is and the more it will cost. The same is true for dead trees.

Most tree removals in Social Circle range between $200 and $2,500, with an average of $790. The below factors will contribute most to your total.

Accessibility

Accessibility is a major factor in removal costs. Can our specialists get equipment like bobcats or pickup trucks to the tree? If not, the removal will take longer and require more manual labor. Will we need a crane to remove the top and major branches from that massive hardwood? If so, can we get the crane into position? How close is the tree to a house, shed, or other structure?

Difficult locations and poor accessibility will drive up the removal cost.

Additional Services

We always leave your landscaping unscathed and free of debris. However, grinding a stump, removing roots, and chipping or splitting logs are all additional services that will add to your total.

Immediacy

Wanting the tree removed ‘yesterday’ can really drive up the cost, so you might want to practice patience with the process. Unless the tree is posing a danger to life or property, that is. Under those circumstances, speed is essential and well worth the extra cost.

Widespread storm damage increases demand and our immediate workload. If you can put off the job temporarily, costs should go down after a few weeks. Just be sure the damaged tree doesn’t pose a threat in the meantime!