Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Greenwood?
- 2 Does the City of Greenwood Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Greenwood?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Greenwood?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Greenwood?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Greenwood?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Greenwood?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Greenwood?
Greenwood is a city in Johnson County, Indiana located between Indiana State Road 37 and Interstate 65. The city not only shares a border with Indianapolis, but it is the most populous suburban municipality in the southern portion of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area. However, what makes Greenwood one of the best places to live in Indiana is how it offers the residents a dense suburban feel and access to a lot of parks in the area. Plus, the vegetation in Greenwood not only thrives, but trees are also known to cover the quaint neighborhoods and provide shade and beauty to the city.
Yet, while trees and plants work great for landscaping purposes in Greenwood, they also require proper maintenance and care in order to survive and grow. For these reasons, it is essential that Greenwood homeowners understand that trees in the area are susceptible to certain diseases that can cause serious problems. That is why residents need to be aware of some of the more common tree issues found in the city and signs that can indicate tree troubles:
Anthracnose
This is a fungal disease that affects many types of deciduous trees, including oak, ash, maple, birch, and sycamore trees. Leaves infected by this disease often have to deal with spots and brown, curled edges. In addition, these infected leaves can also drop.
Bur Oak Blight
In general, Bur Oak Blight infects Bur Oak Trees. This fungal infection starts as a leaf spot then progresses into a browning along the leaf veins. Partial leaf browning and early leaf drop will often occur by late summer, with symptoms progressively spreading year to year. If left unchecked, this disease can become fatal.
Dutch Elm Disease
This fungal disease spreads by elm beetles and through root graphs from surrounding infected trees. Elms often infected with Dutch elm disease show symptoms of yellowing, wilting, and curling leaves in the outer canopy.
Verticillium Wilt
Verticillium Wilt is a soil-borne fungal disease that affects hundreds of different kinds of plant and tree species. However, the most prone trees to this disease include maples, ash, verticillium wilt, and redbuds. This disease typically results in a sudden wilting of branches and staining of the sapwood.
Does the City of Greenwood Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The city of Greenwood is in charge of regulating trees or parts of trees located within the public’s right-of-way and will also provide regulations that apply to all properties within the city’s corporate limits. According to these city laws:
- Dead, dying, damaged, or diseased trees are not allowed to exist or be maintained on any premises which are hazardous to people on adjacent property or the property itself
- Tree stumps greater than 12 inches in height shall not be allowed on the premises more than 30 days after the tree has been cut
- Fallen trees and removed tree limbs shall not be permitted on the ground for more than 30 days
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Greenwood?
Typically, a property owner in Greenwood will be responsible for maintaining their flowers, plants, and private trees. However, determining responsibility for the costs associated with removing a dead or fallen tree is not as apparent as many expect it to be. In fact, it will often depend on the circumstances of the situation. Let’s take a look at the following:
If you’re a homeowner?
In Indiana, the property laws indicate that if a tree falls because of natural causes, such as heavy winds or intense storms, the property owner of the place where the tree has fallen is held responsible for removing the tree.
Yet, it is essential to note that property owners in Indiana are also required to reasonably care for their trees and prevent them from damaging another person’s property. What does this reasonable care entail exactly? If your tree shows signs of weakness or instability, you need to make corrections to the tree within a reasonable period of time. Otherwise, if the tree falls, you can be held liable for the costs associated with the tree’s damage.
If you’re a renter?
In general, a landlord and a renter will agree ahead of time on how to care for the rental property by discussing their different roles in a property agreement contract. Yet, if issues come up that are not mentioned in the agreement, the landlord will often be responsible for making the necessary repairs to the property, while the renter will be in charge of maintaining and cleaning the property. Consequently, if a tree falls onto the property, it is more likely that the situation will go beyond the renter’s level of responsibility and become a landlord’s issue.
If you’re a landlord?
As mentioned above, the landlord will be responsible for a fallen tree unless a contract indicates otherwise. As a result, the landlord will be accountable for the costs associated with removing the fallen tree.
If you’re a neighbor?
If your tree falls onto a neighbor’s yard because of a natural cause, then you will not be responsible for the damages the tree caused or its removal expenses. In these situations, the neighbors will most likely have to file a claim with their own property insurance to get reimbursed for their losses.
On the other hand, if you knew or had reason to know that your tree was dangerous and took no action to take care of the problem. Then, if your tree falls onto a neighbor’s property, you may be responsible for the damages the tree caused and required to cover the removal costs.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Greenwood?
Indiana’s state soil is recognized as Miami, which is particularly fertile and grows corn, winter, wheat, and soybeans. In addition, the native vegetation for this soil type is hardwood forest.
Indiana is also home to clay soil, so areas like Greenwood have an abundance of this soil type. Clay soil is made of small particles which are easily packed down. Unfortunately, even though this type of soil can provide farmers and growers many benefits, it is not easy to garden with. This is because this type of soil is incredibly slippery when it is wet and will harden and crack quickly when it is dry, making planting difficult and frustrating.
Additionally, a tree’s root system will develop at a more shallow depth in heavy clay soils, which can mean that if the tree is planted too deeply, new roots will have a hard time growing and developing because of the lack of oxygen.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Greenwood?
Greenwood’s climate is typically known for cold winters, hot summers, and short, frequent fluctuations in temperature, cloudiness, humidity, and wind direction. Many consider the moderate temperatures of fall and spring to be the most pleasant. However, when it comes to planting trees, it is essential to plant varieties that can stand the ever-changing Indiana temperatures and climate. That is why some of the best trees to grow in the region include:
- Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud
- Hybrid Poplar
- Autumn Blaze Red Maple
- Ginkgo
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Greenwood?
According to the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), electric utilities are responsible for trimming trees near power lines. That is why utility companies like AES Indiana work year-round to trim hazardous trees and branches away from these cables.
However, regular inspections by property owners can also help spot these tree problems early, before they become a safety hazard. For instance, springtime is a great time to inspect mature trees. This is because leaf canopies are not entirely filled in, and you can get a better look at the tree structure. If for some reason, you notice the tree encroaching on the power lines, you should call your utility company and speak with them about the issue. They can let you know what they can do for you and the best course of action you need to take.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Greenwood?
In Greenwood, the cost of removing a tree will depend on numerous factors, including the equipment needed to remove the tree and the size of the tree that needs to be taken down. The average cost is around $750, but this can fluctuate quite a bit. Before you unknowingly spend thousands of dollars on a tree removal project, it will help to learn about these different cost elements that can impact the price of the job. This way, you can be better prepared to cover the removal costs and shop around for a better price. These different cost factors include the following:
The Size of the Tree
In Greenwood, the tree size will often be one of the most critical factors that will impact the overall cost of the tree’s removal. For example, small trees in the area may only cost a few hundred dollars to remove, while giant trees close to 100 feet will cost homeowners a few thousand dollars to take care of.
The Area Surrounding the Tree
Another factor that will impact overall costs has to do with the terrain the tree is located on and the accessibility of the tree. For example, our specialists will often look into whether:
- Removing the tree’s debris from the area will be labor-intensive and incredibly time-consuming
- The property where the tree is located is small, and if it is difficult to access the tree
- It will be challenging to get large equipment into the yard
In addition, our specialists will also check whether the area surrounding the tree will pose any issues for them, such as if the tree is on a slope or blocked by a garden or a fence. If any of these elements are present, it can end up affecting the final costs of the tree removal job.
The Health of the Tree
If a tree is sick, dead, dying, or at risk of falling over, it may require special equipment and safety precautions to make sure that injury can be prevented when the tree is being removed. As a result, this special care that is needed may increase the overall costs of the removal process.