AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Aurora, IL

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Aurora?

Aurora is anything but ideal when it comes to weather most people would seek out. It’s mostly warm and humid during the long summers and mostly cold and windy during its short winter months. Nonetheless, there’s plenty to see and enjoy, including Blackberry Farm with its train rides and zoo-like attractions. Not to mention our Splash Country Waterpark and sightseeing tours like Paddle and Trail. 

The weather is perfectly matched for fun tourist attractions and local gatherings, but it can be too extreme for some trees and plants that try to make it in the Illinois climate. For this reason, mostly native plants make it the longest in our area:

• Small/Medium:
• Muscle Wood
• Nannyberry
• Medium/Large:
• American Basswood
• Bur Oak/White Oak (State tree)

On the other hand, you should know that the city now follows a “Species Diversity” tree-planting program to “help prevent against substantial tree canopy loss due to devastating diseases like the Dutch elm disease of the 1950s and 60s, and more recently the Emerald Ash Borer.” This means you can plant only approved trees, with no more than 30% of a family, 20% of a genus, and 10% of a species. 

Here’s more on Dutch elm disease and emerald ash borer to help Aurora residents keep their trees safe and healthy.

Dutch Elm Disease

Dutch elm disease is a fungus that is spread by feeding elm bark beetles and through root grafts. Fortunately, there are tree injections that can be put into their trunks to protect against pest infestations, and when caught early, infected parts can even be cut and pruned, saving the lifespan and health of your tree.

Look out for these symptoms at the beginning of summer:

• Yellowing and wilting
• Hook-shaped twigs
• A mixture of healthy and dead foliage 
• Shoot diebacks
• Staining and streaks on twigs

Trees more likely to be infected by these fungi are American elm, Red or Slippery elm, and Rock elm. On the other hand, Chinese elm, Japanese elm, and Siberian elm are more resistant. 

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

This disease is fatal to your ash tree species and even earned a top spot on federal quarantine for its quick spreading and fatality rate. Brought in from Asia, the metallic beetle has infected a good portion of the U.S., taking down a significant number of our ash trees in the process.

Common signs include thinning and dying ash crowns, bark splitting, D-shaped holes, and even woodpecker activities. 

If you find that this is your problem, you should immediately contact the USDA Emerald Ash Borer Hotline at (866) 322-4512 or your local USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) office. Additional suggestions by the USDA include reporting pictures/notes of the insect and damages, not moving any firewood off your property (prevent spread), buy kiln-dried firewood, and burn your firewood where you buy it. 

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

The City of Aurora assists property owners seeking help on the health of their tree, but not the actual removal or pruning service needed. In fact, their Tree FAQs page cites:

• Inspections:
  
  • “We inspect private trees free of charge and also provide a recommended course for treatment, if necessary. We do not offer inspections for large numbers of private trees at commercial properties such as apartment complexes, business parks, or private golf courses.”
    
• Removals:
  
  • “In most cases, residents may remove private/non-city trees from their property. In some areas, however, your Home Owners Association may have certain requirements regarding trees. Also, some properties may have a site plan registered with the city that outlines approved landscaping. When a site plan is associated with your property, there may be policies for tree mitigation or replacement if trees are removed. If you are uncertain about removing trees from your property, please contact us.”
    
  • “Unfortunately, the City of Aurora does not offer any assistance programs for private tree removal or pruning. To keep your costs low, we recommend getting at least three different quotes from licensed arborists.”

With that being said, a city tree may not be removed by a property owner but rather addressed by the City, and Aurora residents are told to request a tree inspection from the City instead. 

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Aurora?

In Aurora, the following parties play separate roles in responsibility when it comes to fallen tree removals. Here’s how it breaks down.

If you’re a homeowner?

As a homeowner, you are expected to not only maintain and take care of all the trees on your property but also take care of any fallen tree removals on your property. If the tree falls onto multiple lots due to natural causes, every property owner (including the City if parts of the tree are on public property) is expected to pay for the portion up to their property line.

In fact, any trunk that crosses the property line becomes jointly owned, and therefore, shared in responsibility. More on situations similar to this can be read in the “neighbor” section. 

If you’re a renter?

The beauty of being a renter is that you have no responsibility when it comes to fallen tree removals and high costs like it. However, you may be asked to do occasional maintenance upkeep and should always discuss any noticeable declines or potential problems with your landlord. 

If you’re a landlord?

Much like a homeowner, you have all the responsibilities that come with owning a home, except you are also responsible for the people in it/them — your renters. Make sure to prevent dead or declining trees from falling and causing damages or injuring to those near. Otherwise, it could cost you a lot in lawsuits.

If you’re a neighbor?

If your neighbor’s healthy tree falls onto your lot, then you are responsible for removing the tree from your property (or vice versa). However, if the tree was already in the process of dying (or dead already), then the responsibility is given to your neighbor, who will be subject to any damage/injury costs as well. 

The City of Aurora adds, “If you feel that a neighbor’s private tree is dead or poses a safety hazard, please contact Code Enforcement at 303.739.7000″ to prevent any further problems. 

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Aurora?

According to Soil Series, “The Aurora series consists of moderately deep, moderately well-drained soils formed in till [and] Saturated hydraulic conductivity is moderately high or high in the mineral surface layer and moderately low to moderately high in the subsoil.”

This means that the soil transmits water and is considerably saturated at a level of “moderately high” or “high.” This is good for some trees because it can keep in more water and nutrients than some clay counterparts that are quick to drain. However, it can also be problematic as deep saturation can also lead to overwatering.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Aurora?

While Aurora doesn’t have as many problems with earthquakes and volcanoes as other states, we do often come up against tornadoes – even more so than other Illinois cities. For this reason and more, the weather undoubtedly affects the health of our trees.

A tornado or two (or more) can take down our healthiest trees without a second thought, and heavy rains can weigh them down until they fall prematurely. Not to mention, our mix of warm summers and freezing (and windy) winters can take a toll on trees as well. 

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Aurora?

If you notice a dead tree near your power line, you should immediately inform your electric company so they can come out and handle it. By no means should any homeowner or resident ever take care of the problem themselves; it is extremely dangerous. It should also be noted that electric companies can go on private property and take care of problematic trees without permission if need be.

Safe Electricity says you should never “plant a tree near a power line that could grow within 25 feet of it, tall-growing trees should be planted a minimum of 20 feet away from power lines, and 50 feet away to avoid future pruning. A mature height of less than 15 feet is recommended for trees planted near power lines.”

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Aurora?

On average, Aurora residents pay around $870 for a tree removal service, with ranges between $320 and $1,400 or more. However, the following cost factors can change that number dramatically, depending on the circumstances. Here’s how it breaks down. 

Tree Height

One of the most important cost factors to keep in mind is how tall the tree you plan to remove is. This is because the cost will rise with every foot of height. In most cases, you can expect something around $475 for a standing tree at 30 feet.

For every foot of height, you can also expect an additional $62 or between $25 and $100. 

Hourly Rate

Hourly rate is another important cost factor to keep in mind because your total will vary based on the complexity of the job. For example, a tree near a power line, shed, or your home will be more costly and labor-intensive, so the standard hourly rate will add up on a job like this.

Additional Services — Tree Protection and/or Land and Lot Clearing

Another great addition to your service that can also add more money to your bill is additional services like Tree Protection and Land and Lot Clearing. Both are great for your landscape.

Tree protection injections range around $60 a trunk and keep your current and newly growing trees protected from common diseases and infestations. On the other hand, Land and Lot Clearing can cost you more than a thousand more, but we clean up all the trees and shrubs off your property for you. This is a big deal because we have the equipment to do it faster and know all the rules and regulations to follow for proper disposal, saving you a ton of time.