AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Rockford, IL

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Rockford?

In our tree care routines around Rockford neighborhoods, we have witnessed both new and recurrent issues. However, most problems revolve around weather-caused stress, pest infestation, disease attacks, and invasion by other life-sapping plants.

Pest Infestation

Rockford streets, forests, and gardens are awash with numerous tree species. Elm, maple, walnut, hickory, ash, oak, dogwood, pine, cedar, etc., create diverse greenery that adds character to our landscapes. However, opportunistic pests are an ever-present threat, especially where the trees have suffered weather-related stress. The regular winds that often rock the city do not make the situation any better as they accelerate the spreading of pests to the surrounding areas.

Pests such as emerald ash borer and bark beetle burrow into tree trunks and disrupt the flow of nutrients and water from the roots to the upper parts of the tree. Most of these insects lay eggs and hatch on the tree barks. The larvae feed on the tree sap before maturing and moving to other trees to start their colonies. If not treated early, some start dying. In extreme infestation cases, the Rockford tree regulations require removing the affected trees to prevent pest spread.

Diseases

Diseases are another common threat to trees around our city. Extreme weather conditions result in conditions such as root rot, anthracnose, fire blight, among others. Other tree diseases are spread by pests (beetles, borers, scales, aphids, etc.) as they move from one tree to another. Some diseases are species-specific, like the sudden oak death, which attacks oaks. Needle diseases are also prevalent among pines, including a thinning condition attested to poor soils. 

Invasive Trees

Invasive trees disguise themselves under their year-round vigor. You may desire to plant some in your garden until you learn how destructive they are. In Rockford, the worst invasive trees include the tree of heaven, honeysuckle, autumn olive, black locust, etc. The trees survive through the worst of climate and reproduce rapidly, factors that make them indispensable. We always recommend proactive management of invasive trees to stop them from depriving other trees of essential nutrients. 

Harsh Weather

Weather is responsible for the majority of the tree issues in Rockford, both directly or indirectly. Droughts leave the trees weak and susceptible to disease and pest infestation. Excessive precipitation encourages the development of cold-related root, stem, and leaf conditions, while high winds and storms harass the trees and leave some too weak to bounce back to health. 

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

Through the city forester, Rockford city ensures the trees are always well-maintained for the safety of residents and the well-being of the tree canopies. The city bestows the responsibility of maintaining rights-of-way trees to the owners of the properties adjacent to the trees. 

If the property owners wish to remove such trees due to diseases, pest infestation, or safety reasons, they must request a permit from the city. Note that such permits are given free of charge. Otherwise, the owner can report the nuisance tree (dead, dying, overhanging buildings, or obstructing traffic) to the city and leave it up to them to remove.

Nonetheless, a property owner is expected to remove any nuisance trees on their land. If they fail to take the initiative, the city forester issues them with a notice. Once the notice lapse and the owner still fails to remove the tree, the city has the power to enter the property and remove the tree, then invoice them the incurred expenses. It’s always more affordable to call our experts for professional removal first!

Sometimes property owners cut down trees on the public rights-of-way thinking the trees belong to them. Such an act is not permitted, and when it happens, the owner is required to replace the tree. The city has a hotline number 815-987-5763 for all your tree-related inquiries.

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Rockford?

We often come across clients caught up in a stalemate, not knowing who is legally mandated to remove fallen trees from their yard. In Rockford, tree removal regulations are pretty straightforward. A tree belongs to the landowner where the trunk stands, but when a storm knocks it down, removal responsibility shifts based on where it falls. The duty for removing the fallen tree applies as follows.

If you’re a homeowner?

If your tree falls, removing it is your responsibility. In instances where a rights-of-way tree falls on your property, you can either remove it or contact the city to have it cleared. If the tree destroys insured property, the insurer caters to removal costs regardless of who owns the tree.

If you’re a renter?

As a renter, you’re not responsible for the removal of fallen trees on the rented property. That’s the responsibility of the landlord or the insurer if the tree causes property damage. If you have renters insurance for your personal belongings, the compensation is limited to damages caused by covered items. The same applies if the tree falls on your car. The motor insurance compensates for the car damages. 

If you’re a landlord?

As a landlord, you’re responsible for maintaining the trees on your property, including removing those that fall. If the tree damages the insured property, you can often count on the insurer to pick up the damages and the tree removal costs.

If you’re a neighbor?

Neighbor’s trees are always a contentious issue. For instance, collecting fallen leaves is your responsibility; eating fruits that fall on your property is illegal. You can trim branches overhanging your property, but you need consent. Your neighbor is not responsible for damages caused by the tree if it falls. 

The issues have many twists. Nonetheless, the easier version of things is that the tree belongs to your neighbor, and they’re responsible for its maintenance. But when it falls on your property, they are not liable for the damages it causes. Your insurer is, and the compensation should also cater for the removal costs.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Rockford?

Soils play a focal role in the health of trees. Most trees perform well in well-drained soils that have the right texture and a balanced pH. Rockford has excellent soils that support and promote tree growth. However, their effectiveness is significantly reduced by extreme weather conditions, like the ongoing drought. 

Prolonged dry seasons reduce soil moisture. This causes root damage, and in extreme cases, trees may record stunted growth. Others become too weak to fight diseases and pests and withstand heavy rains and winds. 

However, sometimes these symptoms may manifest even during normal weather. This occurs where the soil composition is lacking or root depth is shallow. In this case, you should consider doing a soil test to diagnose the problem and get the appropriate recommendations. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Rockford?

Ideally, Rockford weather is temperate and creates the right conditions for optimal tree growth. However, when extreme conditions such as drought, storms, and heavy winds rock the city, tree health takes a nosedive.

Reduction of moisture in soils subjects the trees to acute stress. With the receding water levels in surface waters (rivers) and underground water, even garden trees may be affected as people cut back water usage. 

Under the extreme opposite, when we receive excessive precipitation, root rot issues and other cold-related diseases arise. Storms and winds also damage trees and weaken root support through the constant currents. Where winds snap tree branches, the wounds left attract insects, which bring with them various diseases.

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Rockford?

The city permits power utility companies to manage vegetation along their power lines. This includes trimming, pruning, and removing any trees near the lines. Usually, utility companies such as ComEd set aside budgets to cater to vegetation management costs. If there are dead trees along power lines, either belonging to you or public trees on rights-of-way, you should report to the respective utility company for immediate action.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Rockford?

Tree cost removal in Rockford depends on tree size, accessibility of the tree, its condition, project size, and so forth. On average, you can pay between $200 and $1400 for most jobs. $200 is usually charged on smaller trees, while the extra-large ones cost over $1000. Most jobs involve medium and large trees, with the most common spend being $750. Often, we quote stump removal services separately, which is roughly between $100 and $150. 

Size

Tree size is a significant cost factor in tree removal jobs, not just in Rockford but nationally. Smaller trees usually cost less than larger trees due to the work involved and equipment required to accomplish the task. Bigger trees require climbing and roping down pieces to minimize landscape damage, which may not be the case with smaller trees. In the same way, cutting down trees with thicker diameters takes more time and effort as opposed to smaller trees. 

Location

Tree location is another crucial cost factor. Removing a tree near a building or power line is riskier and, in most cases, requires that we use special additional equipment. This may not be the case if the tree is located in an open field. Again, if the tree is in difficult-to-access terrain, we may require special machinery to get the equipment and crew to the site. These additional requirements end up escalating the costs.

Condition

We also consider the tree’s condition when costing removal jobs. While it’s okay for our crew to climb up a healthy tree and rope down pieces, we cannot take the risk with a dead or diseased tree. In this case, we may need to use cranes and other equipment to cut down the tree safely. Again, the additional equipment ramps up the costs.