AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Davenport, IA

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Davenport?

Davenport is a small city located on the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa. Although small, it remains the third-largest city in the entire state. Davenport is a part of what’s known as the “Quad Cities”, which include five cities in Iowa and Illinois, including Rock Island (IL),  Bettendorf (IA), Moline (IL), and East Moline (IL). Yes, it’s five cities, not four! Living in the Quad Cities feels like living in one big city because of the collaborations and connectedness of these five cities along the riverfront.

Like many of its neighboring midwest towns, Davenport has trees that are negatively impacted by the location and its adverse weather conditions. These include cold and snowy winters and springtime flooding of the Mississippi River. More problematic for the trees in the area, though, are invasive insect species.

The Emerald Ash Borer

The Emerald Ash Borer is a little green beetle only about 1/2″ long. It feeds on the cambium tissue of ash trees (the area right under the bark) and effectively stops the tree’s ability to transport nutrients and water along its length. A tree that becomes infested with ash borers will die within a few years.

According to the City of Davenport Public Works, this little insect has spread to 24 states and 2 Canadian provinces. The insect is believed to have been predominantly transported by the movement of firewood. The city has taken preventative measures against the beetle, which include:

• Monitoring, reporting, and documenting instances of infested trees
• Initiation of a removal process: removal of public ash trees in the worst condition followed by removal of groups of ash trees in close proximity to each other
• Reducing the impact of ash tree removal (loss of tree canopy) by implementing an aggressive tree planting program–nearly 2,200 trees have been planted in the past five years.

European Gypsy Moths

European Gypsy Moths(EGM) are highly problematic in many parts of the Midwest, and Davenport hasn’t been saved from the problem. These troublesome caterpillars munch on excessive amounts of foliage each year. This defoliation decreases the plants’ ability to absorb sunlight, which is crucial to plant health. 

You’ll be able to spot these little guys because they are very distinct in their appearance. EGM caterpillars are large and have several distinct features. They are usually black or gray with tufts of lighter-colored hair but morph into a more yellow-grey appearance when they get older. Pairs of blue and red dots line their backs. Gypsy moth infestation doesn’t always end in tree death, but repeated infestations over a period of a few years can weaken a tree enough to kill it. If you notice these creatures anywhere in the area, it is best to report them to the City of Davenport for immediate removal.

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

If you have just a few tree branches that have fallen onto your private property as a result of a storm, the City of Davenport will come and collect them. They must be bundled the same way as required for normal curbside collection.

However, residents who are dealing with large fallen trees on their private property will have to contact a professional tree removal company like Tree Triage to help them clean up the tree. You are also able to dispose of branches and stumps at the Davenport Compost Facility for a fee.

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Davenport?

When a tree falls on personal property, it can be difficult to figure out who becomes responsible for having it removed. Was the tree growing on city property or that of a neighbor?  When more than one party is involved, it can become even more complex. The City of Davenport has published tree ordinances to help govern certain tree removal and pruning situations, but not all of them.

If you’re a homeowner?

When you own property, you are responsible for the care of the trees which grow on it. This includes regular maintenance like pruning, trimming, and caring for your trees.  As such, landowners will also be responsible for the removal of trees which have fallen onto their own property. 

If you’re a renter?

When you rent your home, you are usually only responsible for basic maintenance of your home, such as mowing the lawn. Tree care, maintenance, and removal of fallen trees will be the responsibility of your landlord.  Be sure to carefully look through your lease agreement to make sure there is nothing written therein which makes you responsible.

If you’re a landlord?

As soon as you begin renting your property to others, you become responsible for keeping your rental homes safe, well-maintained, and free from hazards. When a tree does fall on your property, landlords hold responsibility for having it cleared away unless the rental contract says otherwise. 

If you’re a neighbor?

Unfortunately, if your neighbor’s tree falls into your yard, it usually becomes your problem. It doesn’t matter where the tree had its roots, the problem is now where the tree lies. Often, neighbors will come to an agreement to share the cost of removal, but regularly this can become a neighborly dispute.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Davenport?

Davenport’s soil can impact the health of our local trees, as it tends to have higher concentrations of gravel and sand than soils in other parts of the state due to its location on the Mississippi River. The US Department of Agriculture has been conducting soil surveys on the area since as early as 1916 to determine what nutrients the area is lacking and how to best grow crops in the area. While sandy soil can be helpful for allowing proper drainage to take place in fields and forests, the problem in Davenport is that too much sand or gravel can make it hard for plants and trees to absorb enough water before it is quickly drained away. This is particularly true in early spring when flooding is an issue. During spring floods, the water rises and falls quickly, which causes easy erosion of soil and a lack of nutrient and water absorption for the plants and trees in the flood path.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Davenport?

It’s always hard to say what the average weather is like in the Midwest. It is often said that Davenport can experience all four seasons in just a single day. Iowa’s winters can be long and harsh, whereas its summers can be long and dry. Both of these aspects can negatively affect the health of trees in the area. One thing that remains true is that Davenport is subject to strong wind storms regularly, including the possibility of experiencing a derecho, like the one which occurred in 2020.

A derecho is a widespread, long-lived, straight-line wind storm that is connected with fast-moving, severe thunderstorms. The winds are strong enough to reach or exceed hurricane and tornado-force gusts. Derechos can cause hurricane-force winds, tornadoes, heavy rain, and flash floods. Thus, they have the power to uproot and upturn any number of Davenport’s trees.

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Davenport?

MidAmerican regularly trims trees on public and private property to prevent them from interfering with power lines. Despite these efforts, no one can guarantee that trees won’t fall onto power lines when a storm rolls through. If you notice a tree that is growing too close to a power line or has fallen onto one, you should contact them immediately. If you see a downed power line, assume it is an energized electric line and don’t touch it. Touching an energized power line can be fatal. Call MidAmerican Energy at 800.799.4443 to report downed power lines within the City of Davenport. 

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Davenport?

The typical cost of tree removal in Davenport ranges from $550-800, depending on a variety of factors. When you are trying to estimate the cost of tree removal, you’ll need to consider the size of the tree in question, whether our arborists will need to use special equipment to remove it, and what other services will be required to complete the job. Your total after these considerations can be anywhere between $250 and $2,200.

Size of the Tree

Small trees are quick and easy to remove, so that equates to a smaller bill. If your tree is larger than normal, you can predict that the cost will increase. The bigger the tree, the bigger the bill. Consider both the height and width of the tree you are taking care of; when the tree is large it may require more manpower to remove.

Special Equipment

When trees grow close to houses, fences, powerlines, or other trees, they can be more difficult to remove than one out in the open. In order to prevent a tree from accidentally crashing into your roof, our experts may have to use specialized equipment or techniques to remove a tree from your property. These methods may be a little more costly, but they prevent property damage and safety risks.

Other Services Provided

After you have a fallen tree removed from your property, you may have some remaining tasks still to pay for. Any additional services will add to the tree removal cost. Stump removal or grinding, additional trimming, or fungicide, or insecticide application will also cost more.  The cost goes up again if there is property damage. You may be looking at the cost to reseed or resod your yard, replace broken fencing, or repair upturned walkways. Consider also the cost involved in replacing the missing tree, which will include a consultation with a landscaper or our arborists, as well as the labor to dig and plant the tree. If the tree was on the city’s property or located in front of your home on the street, you may be able to apply for a new tree from the city for no cost to you. The city plants street/boulevard trees upon request as funding is available, and when the boulevard can support a tree.