Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Fort Scott?
- 2 Does the City of Fort Scott Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Fort Scott?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Fort Scott?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Fort Scott?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Fort Scott?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Fort Scott?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Fort Scott?
The trees of Fort Scott are prone to a variety of diseases and injuries. Let’s explore some.
Winter Damage or Desiccation Injury
Here in Fort Scott, winter damage is typical on evergreens, and it’s usually caused by desiccation injury. Desiccation injury occurs because evergreens lose moisture during the winter, especially on sunny, windy days.
When soil freezes, tree roots can’t absorb moisture. Needles and foliage exposed to the sun dry out and may eventually die. Homeowners usually notice the damage is worse on the west and south sides of evergreens because these parts of the tree see the most sunlight. Winter damage and desiccation can also happen to ornamental trees around your home, which you’ll recognize as dieback of twigs after a cold, dry winter.
Homeowners should assess the extent of the damage in mid-May. New foliage growth should be obvious by then. If there’s no new growth, the branch or tree is probably dead and should be removed.
Pine Wilt
According to a fact sheet published by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, pine wilt is an invasive (not native to Kansas) disease that’s continually spreading west.
It’s caused by the nematode (microscopic roundworm) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. These tiny pests are spread from one tree to the next via the pine sawyer beetle, Monochamus carolinensis. Pine sawyer beetles are attracted to trees that are stressed by drought or heat. Older trees face the most risk, but a young, unwell pine can be affected too. Here in Fort Scott, Austrian and Scotch pines are most affected.
Pine wilt infects and kills pines in residential windbreaks, gardens, parks, and cemeteries. Pines die rapidly in the late summer and fall. The disease can be stopped by removing the infected or dead tree before spring. Nematodes can reproduce quickly and kill a tree in as little as six weeks. This disease can kill a community of pines within a few months, so homeowners should be aggressive about treating and removing diseased trees.
Does the City of Fort Scott Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
No, the city of Fort Scott will not help homeowners with tree removal. The local Public Works & Water Department would likely help with tree removal if a tree were to fall across a public street, sidewalk, or in one of the local parks. But we don’t speak on behalf of the city; you could always reach out to them at (620) 223-4360 and ask.
The City of Fort Scott does provide a free disposal site for brushes, leaves, and similar yard waste. It’s open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 6 P.M., and Saturdays from 8 A.M. to noon. Only city residents may use the site.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Fort Scott?
As we mentioned above, Fort Scott has a reputation for being quiet and peaceful. But sometimes, a tree falls across several property lines, and residents wonder who is responsible for it. As a rule, you are responsible for the portion of the tree on your property. It doesn’t matter who paid to have expensive landscaping put in, where the stump is, or where the roots are growing. Your property, your responsibility.
Let’s take a closer look at common questions we get in Fort Scott about the responsibility of tree removal.
If you’re a homeowner?
If a tree falls on your property, it’s your responsibility. When a tree falls onto your home or other structures, contact your homeowners insurance company. Damage from trees and limbs is usually covered by a traditional homeowners policy, less a deductible, of course.
The insurance company will pay to have a tree removed, the debris cleaned up, and the damage to the building repaired. You’ll only be responsible for paying the deductible, ranging from $500 to $2,500 in Kansas.
Many homeowners insurance policies in Kansas will also pay for temporary lodging if a home is uninhabitable while repairs are made and the tree is removed.
If you’re a renter?
Landlords are responsible for tree removal at their rentals. Renters in Fort Scott have very little responsibility for tree removal. Again, your property, your tree. If you’re a renter and a tree falls on your rented property, call the landlord or property manager right away. Fallen trees are hazardous. Please stay away from the tree and keep children and pets far from it.
If the tree falls onto a tenant’s vehicle or does other damage to their belongings, the landlord’s insurance will pay for damages.
If you’re a landlord?
If you are a landlord and your tenant calls about a fallen tree or tree limb, you need to move forward quickly. Fallen trees can be very dangerous, and it could be a financial catastrophe if your tenant (or their children) were to get hurt. Make sure you tell your tenants to stay away from the fallen tree. If it’s an obvious danger, your insurance company will help you find temporary lodging for your tenant.
Ultimately, your commercial property policy or landlord protector policy will cover tree removal after a deductible and should cover your liability for your tenant’s damaged belongings.
If you’re a neighbor?
So far, we’ve addressed the responsibilities of a property owner when a tree falls. But sometimes, a tree falls over several property lines and neighbors might quarrel over it. Know that every neighbor is responsible for the portion of the tree that falls onto their land.
The best course of action is a brief meeting among the homeowners involved. Stay cheerful and polite; no finger-pointing or yelling. These things happen from time to time, and it’s not anyone’s fault.
As tree removal specialists, we’ve seen groups of neighbors split the bill 50/50, or in thirds or quarters. Hopefully, your neighbors will be willing to do the same.
Sometimes a property owner is hard to find. If your neighbor is on vacation, don’t wait for them to come home. Contact your insurer and start the process of tree removal. Insurance companies have a process called “subrogation” that allows them to collect from other insurers in times like this.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Fort Scott?
Fort Scott is home to several soil types, and they vary from one city block to the next. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) published this soil survey of Bourbon County, which includes Fort Scott. Homeowners and real estate developers can use it to understand the soil at their specific street address.
But for now, know that Fort Scott’s soil is primarily well-drained. That means homeowners may need to pay extra attention to trees every year and be sure they’re well-watered in spring and summer. Even though it often rains in Fort Scott and thunderstorms are common, water drains quickly through permanent streams towards Missouri.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Fort Scott?
Weather affects tree health in any city, and especially in Fort Scott. The USDA says the climate here is typical for a continental, non-coastal area. That means Fort Scott doesn’t experience too much damage from tropical storms or winter blizzards, but hard rains and lightning are a significant threat to your trees.
Prolonged dry periods are common in Kansas too. Droughts can happen, and the worst one in recent memory was in 2012. Droughts are dangerous for all trees, but young saplings face the most significant risks from them.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Fort Scott?
Stay far away from dead trees or fallen limbs on power lines. They are extremely hazardous. They can catch fire, cause forest fires and structure fires, explode, and cause outages. If you see a dead tree on a power line in Fort Scott, contact Evergy (formerly Westar Energy) at (800) 383-1183. Let the power company handle the tree removal, and stay away.
If you’re not sure which company might own the power lines, call the city of Fort Scott or local law enforcement.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Fort Scott?
The average cost of simple tree removal in Fort Scott is about $600, and most jobs fall between $150 and $1,900. However, many factors can affect the price of tree removals, such as a tree’s size, health, and surroundings.
Tree Size
A scrawny sapling that falls alone in a field will cost a few hundred dollars to remove. Many homeowners choose to pay this out-of-pocket rather than involve their homeowners insurance provider. There’s no need to create a claims history, especially if the cost of tree removal is less than your deductible.
Tree Health
Diseased trees cost more to remove. Thinking back to pine wilt, which we talked about earlier in this piece, remember that diseases can spread quickly from one tree to another. Our equipment needs to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after removing a diseased tree. Otherwise, we’d spread the condition and more trees would get sick.
Surroundings and Accessibility
When a tree falls alone in a field, it’s easy to access, and it will be cheaper to remove.
Sometimes trees fall onto homes, across roads and waterways, onto vehicles, or on slopes. These tree removals are more complicated. They require more labor, bigger trucks, and more time. All these things can increase the cost of tree removal. That’s why we will ask for pictures or send a representative to the site before providing a quote for tree removal in Fort Scott.
