AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Council Bluffs, IA

What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Council Bluffs?

As in too many places, the emerald ash borer is a leading problem in Council Bluffs. Unlike many cities, Council Bluffs has engaged in an aggressive treatment project to preserve the city’s ash trees. However, we do recommend the removal of a tree with an advanced infestation, and the treatment is often expensive and has to be repeated frequently by our professionals. The state of Iowa recommends that you consider replacing ash trees with other species and that ash coverage should be kept low.

Watch for D-shaped exit holes, canopy thinning, sprouting of new growth from the base of the trunk or new growth, and increased attention from woodpeckers.

Bagworms have long been an issue in southern Iowa. These caterpillars generally attack arborvitae, red cedar, juniper, and spruce, but they are not particularly fussy. Partial defoliation is common, creating stress that can predispose trees to other diseases. With the conifers mentioned above, an infestation can cause total defoliation and death of the tree. They are identified by their distinctive bags. With small trees, bagworms can be treated simply by removing the bags during the winter (when they contain only eggs). For larger trees, you should treat with spray insecticide early in the summer, as soon as the eggs hatch.

Japanese beetles are found across most of Iowa and are considered serious pests. They are willing to eat the foliage, fruits, and flowers of over 300 different plants. When planting, consider planting trees and plants that beetles are less likely to consume. Unfortunately, high on the list is ash and the same conifers affected by bagworms. Japanese beetles are also unfond of oaks and poplars. Fortunately, the damage done by adult Japanese beetles is cosmetic, although it can weaken your trees and it can stunt young trees, so be particularly careful to protect your young trees from it. Japanese beetle larva can damage your lawn. If you have a smaller yard and no tall trees, you can just remove and kill the beetles. Knock them into a bucket of soapy water. Also, remove any beetle-damaged leaves.

Talk to us about using pesticides to control Japanese beetles. Do not use Japanese beetle traps as they have been demonstrated to attract more of them to your yard.

When planting, always consider native trees that are likely to be healthy in the environment. Healthy trees will be less affected by pests.

Does The City of Council Bluffs Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?

The city does not provide assistance for removing trees on private property but will help with trees growing in the right-of-way. Parks and Recreation work with residents to plant trees and you should call them if there is a problem with a street tree or a tree in a park or other public area. They will remove a shade tree that has fallen from the street into your yard.

The city does have a program allowing residents to purchase shade trees that will be planted in the city, so if you want a tree planted outside your home, you can also talk to Parks and Recreation. Shade trees are an important part of keeping Council Bluffs a pleasant place to live.

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Council Bluffs?

The responsibility for tree removal falls on the owner of the land the trunk is growing on. This means that Parks and Recreation is responsible for trees on public property. Private landowners are fully responsible for the trees on their property.

If you’re a homeowner?

If one of your trees falls, your homeowners’ insurance should cover the cost of removal. Make sure to choose a certified tree removal company like Tree Triage. Check your policy now, before anything happens, to ensure that you will be able to get coverage. Insurance companies are sometimes reluctant to pay out if a tree that was diseased falls.

If you’re a renter?

As in most states, Iowa requires that landlords maintain the premises in habitable condition. However, tenants are also responsible for keeping their units in good condition. For single-family homes, this might be interpreted to mean that you have responsibility for trees on the premises, especially if your lease is silent on the matter. It’s generally best to coordinate with your landlord.

For complexes, landlords are responsible for any trees and if a tree has fallen in a way that affects your ability to use your unit, your landlord is obliged to correct it quickly.

If you’re a landlord?

Landlords are obligated to keep the premises habitable, and this may include removing trees that have fallen in a way that causes damage. However, the way Iowa law is written, you can probably (but check with your lawyer) expect tenants to maintain trees and remove fallen trees when they rent a house with a yard.

You should communicate with your tenants and consider specifying who is responsible for tree removal in the lease.

If you’re a neighbor?

If a neighbor’s tree falls on your property, they are generally responsible for removal. Keeping good relationships with your neighbors can help ensure that if this happens, there won’t be a major conflict. Remember that their insurance will cover it and may cover damage done to your property.

If you have a tree located on the property line, make sure that you are on the same page about who is responsible for maintenance, pruning, and if necessary, removal.

How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Council Bluffs?

Pottawattamie County, where Council Bluffs is located, is in a part of western Iowa covered by loess. This layer of loess is thick and generally reduces soil variety, with most soils being silty and drainage generally depending on the slope. Despite this, you should still consider getting your soil tested. There are several soil testing services available. Testing your soil will tell you exactly what you are dealing with and what your trees may need to stay healthy.

Native trees are oaks and maples, which should always be considered for planting. Other than that, look for trees that are comfortable with the amount of drainage your yard has and are happy in silty soils. Bear in mind that silty soils are often prone to erosion, especially on steeper slopes. Choose cover plants that can reduce erosion, such as clover. Silt also tends to have less organic matter, so you might want to add that and the use of manure can be particularly helpful. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Council Bluffs?

Council Bluffs is considered to have a cold temperate climate, with winter temperatures normally dropping below freezing. It is also a fairly wet place. As with much of Iowa, it is prone to heavy summer storms, which often generate tornados. While slightly lower than typical for the state, Council Bluffs still has a high rate of tornado formation. 

Tornados present a very real risk to trees, as do high straight-line winds from summer storms. Healthy trees are more likely to withstand a storm, so always make sure that you maintain your trees properly. Removing dead branches promptly will ensure that they do not fall on anything (such as power lines) during a storm. 

While no tree can survive a direct hit from a tornado, consider planting more wind-resistant trees and be prepared to fix damage to your trees after a storm. A damaged tree may benefit from pruning to help it recover, and we can take a look at your trees and tell you what they need. 

Fairly heavy snowfall is common in the winter. Heavy, wet snow can do damage to your trees by weighing down their branches and this can sometimes cause the loss of a tree. If snow brushes off easily, then you can help your trees out by removing them, but don’t try to remove snow that is adhering to branches. Get your trees checked by our experts after a heavy winter storm. 

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines In Council Bluffs?

Fallen branches and trees are a major cause of power outages. Two power companies cover Council Bluffs, Black Hills Energy and MidAmerican Energy. You should call your power company if there is a dead tree or branch near or on power lines. This is fairly common after a storm. Do not approach or touch the dead tree. 

While the power company is not responsible for removing trees on your property, they need to know when tree removal happens so they can help by de-energizing the lines and ensuring our safety as we remove trees for you. They will generally remove or prune trees on public property. You should always notify the power company promptly about outages. 

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Council Bluffs?

The typical cost for removing a tree in Council Bluffs is about $600, with a relatively large spread of costs between $150 and $1,900. Costs can be affected by several factors. 

Storms

Both summer and winter storms can cause a large number of tree issues in a very short time. This means that we often have to temporarily add men and pay over time. After a storm, you can expect to pay more for tree removal and may benefit from waiting if the fallen tree is out of the way and not on a structure or causing any other issues. Note that we will not come out until the weather is clear. 

Size

Larger trees generally cost more to remove than smaller ones. The larger the tree, the more equipment we need, the more crew members we need, and the longer the project is likely to take. Stump removal is also generally charged by size. 

Location

Sometimes it costs us more to remove a tree because of its location. If a tree has fallen onto a structure, then we have to be very careful with removal so as not to cause any further damage. 

A steep slope can complicate tree removal, requiring us to bring in special gear that costs more to run. Our quotes take into account the accessibility of the tree’s location.