AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Springfield, IL

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Springfield?

The list of trees growing in Springfield is as long as its rich history. From the state tree, white oak, and other oak variations to ash, chestnut, sycamore, elm, maple, walnut, hickory, beech, apple, cottonwood, pine, juniper, spruce, and pawpaw, the list is endless. 

Though the city’s climate is temperate with the right amount of rainfall and soil texture to support optimal tree growth, sometimes extreme weather conditions wreak havoc and disrupt plant health. Some common tree issues you’re likely to come across in Springfield include: 

Pest Infestation

Whenever the region goes through a prolonged dry season, pests creep in to take advantage of the drought-stricken trees. The emerald ash borer, chestnut borer, dogwood borer, bark beetle, and a host of other beetles are a few pests that devastate trees here. 

While healthy trees fight back pest infestation by flushing the insects out of the burrows, drought-stressed trees lack enough sap to throw the defense. As a result, the pests burrow in and disrupt nutrient and water flow while feeding on the little sap available. This further weakens the trees, and if the early intervention fails, some start dying. 

Beeches, ashes, maples, walnuts, oaks, chestnuts, dogwoods, etc., are all susceptible to the destructive activities of invasive pests.

Diseases

When the tree’s immunity dives following adverse weather conditions, diseases take root. Some are spread by pests, while others are weather-caused. 

Root rot diseases are common among trees whose root systems have sustained damage from dehydration. Once the rain comes, the roots that fail to recover often rot due to excess moisture in the soil. 

Stem and leaf diseases such as anthracnose also affect trees during cool and wet weather. If the condition develops during the windy season, it spreads pretty fast to the surrounding healthy trees. Anthracnose usually affects sycamore, ash, walnut, dogwood, oak, elm, and maple trees.

Invasive Trees

Invasive trees are highly tolerant species that thrive where others fail. Common invasive trees in Springfield include tree of heaven, autumn olive, and mimosa, among others. 

Tree of heaven can thrive anywhere, soil quality notwithstanding. On the other hand, autumn olive and mimosa are aggressive plants that thrive, regardless of impending threats. 

Essentially, invasive trees are ‘selfish’ species that grow and increase rapidly and end up depriving other plants of nutrients. They choke other plants while surmounting the worst of environmental challenges.

Harsh Weather

Harsh weather haunts Springfield once in a while. Severe droughts, tornadoes, high winds, and heavy rains have become common, even as the global climate worsens. During the extreme weather, branches break, stems sustain wounds, leaves dry and are blown off, root systems get destroyed, and so forth. As a result, the weather-damaged trees become increasingly susceptible to pest infestation and disease. 

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

Springfield city has a foolproof urban forest management policy that recently earned its 2020 Tree City USA honor. The Urban Forestry Commission works with the city council to ensure proper management of trees on public and private property. The City takes a proactive approach to ensure any dying or dead trees are eliminated. This involves removing any nuisance tree on public land and overseeing the management of trees along utility lines by the respective utility companies.

 Similarly, the city arborist orders removal of any tree on private property that violates the code. If the tree owner fails to act on the instruction, the City has the power to oversee the tree removal and then bill the owner. It’s almost always cheaper to hire us before the city gets to this point!

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Springfield?

Generally, a tree belongs to the owner of the land where the trunk lies. This means that if a tree stands on a property line with the trunk on either side, the landowners own the tree jointly. The maintenance of such a tree is the owner’s responsibility. He or she may also be responsible for any damage that would arise if the tree falls. 

When the tree lies on one property, but its branches extend over the boundary to the next, the neighbor has a right of maintenance. The law allows them to trim any overhanging branches up to the property line, provided they exercise care not to damage the tree. In the same way, if the tree falls as a result of acts of nature such as a storm, the owner is not liable for damages that may arise. In this case, the responsibility applies as follows:

If you’re a homeowner?

As a homeowner, you’re responsible for removing your fallen trees. If a tree damages the insured property, part of the compensation should cater to the removal costs. However, your insurer may deny the claim if they establish you had neglected the tree.

If you’re a renter?

Renters are not responsible for the removal of a fallen tree, but the landlord is. The landlord’s property insurance should take care of the damages including tree removal and where the tree damages property. If it damages your car and personal belongings, your motor insurance and renters insurance (if you have taken any) should cover the damages. 

If you’re a landlord?

The law requires landlords to take a property insurance policy to cover any damages that may arise. Usually, this cost is passed to the tenants through their monthly rent payments. If a tree falls and causes no damage to the property, you’re solely responsible for its removal. An exception is where the accident results from a negligent act by the tenant such as hitting the tree with a vehicle. If there’s property damage, the insurance compensation should cover the removal expenses. 

If you’re a neighbor?

Though a tree belongs to the landowner of where the trunk lies, the responsibility of removing it rests on the owner of the property where it falls, which is you, in this case. A good neighbor should take over the responsibility since the tree belongs to them after all. But the same principle of clearing debris and leaves that fall on your property applies.

Nonetheless, if the tree damages your property, your homeowners insurance should cover the removal costs. If your insurer learns the neighbor had neglected the tree, they may pursue them to recover their expense.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Springfield?

Excellent soil supports good tree health and vice versa. Though various tree species require different soil properties, most trees perform well in well-drained soils with neutral pH and adequate soil depth (for root growth and support).

Most Springfield soils offer ideal conditions for the optimal growth of many tree species. The soil is predominantly loam with variations of silt loam, clay loam, and sandy loam. 

Loam soils are usually well-drained and excellent for plant growth. Unlike sandy soils which are well-drained with large grains, loam soil has smaller grains which promote moisture retention. Trees planted in sandy soil often have stunted growth as the soil is poor in retaining nutrients and water. The same fate may happen to trees in clay soil. Clay soil is poorly drained, meaning water retention is too high. Its high compactness also binds up nutrients, hindering their absorption. Trees planted in clay soil may also be susceptible to root rot due to high water levels in the ground. 

When you’re not sure of the soil properties, you can get it tested to determine its texture, pH, and organic matter then obtain a recommendation on the best tree species suited to the soil.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Springfield?

Springfield’s normal weather promotes optimal tree growth. However, extreme weather conditions rock the region from time to time, causing excessive stress on the trees. 

When high winds accompany drought, root systems get damaged from lack of water, while leaves become too dry as they lose moisture to the blowing winds. Heavy storms like the recent tornado, coupled with hail, are also too harsh on the trees. Not only do they destroy leaves and wound stems and branches, but they also shake up the roots, which compromises the trees’ support. Whenever Springfield receives too much precipitation, cold weather diseases such as root rot and anthracnose attack weak trees and spread even to the surrounding healthy trees.

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Springfield?

Springfield City Council oversees tree management around the city, including vegetation near power lines. They have relegated managing the foliage to the utility companies but still exercise close supervision. Utility companies such as City Water Light & Power have the power to remove any trees near their lines that pose a safety hazard. These may include dead or dying trees or any tree within ten feet of the utility line.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Springfield?

Tree removal cost in Springfield depends on various factors such as size, location and accessibility, condition, service providers, etc. After factoring in these unique components, we may quote anywhere between $200 and $1200 or more. Stump removal may cost you an extra $300 or as low as $75, again, depending on factors such as stump depth, location, etc. 

Size

The amount you pay on a tree removal job depends on the size of your tree. If it’s tall or big with massive or multiple trunks, the cost will be higher than removing a small tree.

Location

A tree hanging over a building or power line is considered riskier to remove than one in an open field. Hence, you’re likely to be charged more.

Condition

Removing dead or dying trees is riskier than our team felling a healthy one. The risk factor is also higher for clearing a tree that has fallen on a building than for one in an open field. The higher the risk involved, the costlier the job is likely to be.