AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Wichita, KS

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Wichita?

Wichita loses over 50,000 trees every year, primarily out of natural causes. Even though the city’s forestry department has put measures to mitigate the canopy decline, issues are still prevalent. Overall, most problems stem from diseases, pest attacks, and harsh weather. 

Diseases

Tree diseases are responsible for the death of canopies in many parts of Wichita. From fungal infections to species-specific diseases like pine wilt, dutch elm disease, oak wilt, etc., many trees are ever at the mercy of killer inflammations.

For instance, pines have continued succumbing to the ravaging pine wilt. The disease is spread by a worm known as pinewood nematode, whose activities increase during late summer. 

Once nematodes attack a tree, they clog water and nutrient channels, hindering their flow. As a result, a tree grows weak, and the death process begins. Sadly, pines do not recover from wilt disease. 

In eventuality, the tree needs to be removed immediately to avoid spreading the disease to others. Again, once a tree dies, it becomes a safety hazard as winds can easily blow it away, leading to the destruction of property and injuries.

Pinewood nematodes are too tiny to move from tree to tree. Instead, pine sawyer beetles carry and deposit them on healthy trees as they feed.

Fire blight is another disease common in fruit trees. It manifests as scorch marks on affected trees. However, unlike pine wilt, you can arrest fire blight by pruning the affected parts.

Fungal infections are more fatal than fire blight. Infected trees will often have fungal mushrooms. These conks signify the decay going on the inside, meaning the tree can topple over any time. 

Dutch elm disease was first spotted in Ohio and is a common elm tree problem in Wichita and the entire Kansas state. It’s a destructive disease responsible for the death of many elms in the area.

Other common tree diseases in Wichita include oak wilt, tip blight, and canker disease.

Pests

Emerald ash borer is a prolific insect that has wiped tons of ash trees in Wichita and throughout the state. Once it lays eggs on the bark crevices, the larvae hatch and feed on the tree’s inner tissues. This interferes with the flow of water and nutrients, causing the tree’s death.

Bagworms are also prevalent among various tree species. They feed on junipers, oaks, elms, hackberries, among others. The insects are a destructive lot that multiplies quickly, with a single female laying eggs in hundreds. Once the young ones hatch, they feed on the tree’s inner tissue, then move to other trees as they mature. There they lay eggs, and the cycle continues. If left uncontrolled, they can wipe out your trees in a matter of years. 

Extreme Weather Conditions

Wichita’s weather is usually characterized by extreme cold and hot temperatures. During prolonged droughts, trees starve from lack of water and become susceptible to diseases and pest damage. When the temperatures drop to freezing levels, the root systems get damaged, thereby weakening the support. 

Strong winds and ice storms are also common occurrences in Wichita. They may uproot or break disease and weather-weakened trees, while the healthy ones sustain damaging battering.

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

Tree removal in Wichita is the responsibility of the property owner. This also includes removing adjacent public trees in the right of way identified as a nuisance. These include dead or broken trees, diseased or pest-infested trees, or any other trees considered dangerous and unsafe to the public. But you must seek the director’s permission before removing any tree.

If a tree needs immediate removal (e.g., in case it’s impeding traffic), you can place an emergency call to the city’s forestry department. You should also call in if you spot conk (fungal mushrooms) growing on public trees.

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Wichita?

Like in many other regions across the nation, Wichita pegs the responsibility of tree removal on the property owner. However, homeowners’ insurance policies usually cover tree removal costs where insured property is damaged. That said, the responsibilities apply as follows:

If you’re a homeowner?

As a homeowner, you’re responsible for the removal of any trees that fall on your land. If a tree causes damage to insured property, the compensation should cover the tree removal costs. But if your insurer establishes the fall was due to your negligence, they may deny the claim.

If you’re a renter?

A renter is not responsible for trees on the property. The landlord should remove their fallen trees. However, you may be liable for the removal costs if the fall resulted from your negligent actions. 

If you’re a landlord?

As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to remove any fallen trees on your property. If the tree causes damage, your property insurance should cater to the removal costs.

If you’re a neighbor?

You’re responsible for clearing any trees or tree activity on your property. For instance, if your neighbor’s tree grows branches into your compound, the law allows you to trim the tree up to the boundary line. The same applies to any leaves or debris that may fall on your compound. It’s your responsibility to clear them.

If the tree falls on your property, causing damage, your homeowners’ insurance policy should compensate you. Part of the damages paid is meant to cater to tree removal costs. However, if your insurer learns the accident resulted from the owner’s (neighbor) negligence, they may pursue them to recover the loss. 

How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Wichita?

Excellent soils provide conducive conditions for tree growth. Some trees thrive in neutral pH levels, while others prefer either acidic or alkaline soils. Wichita has a range of soils that provide different growing conditions to the tree species found here. These range from the highly porous sandy to the heavily compact clay soils, with loamy kinds in between.

In areas where the soils are predominantly sandy, cases of wind damage on trees are more prevalent. Sandy soil provides weaker support to tree roots compared to clay soils. On the other hand, some trees perform poorly in dense clay soils as the compact nature of these soils binds nutrients, thereby hindering optimal absorption. 

However, there are areas within Wichita that carry ample supplies of loamy soils. These are balanced soils that promote optimal plant performance in a majority of tree species.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Wichita?

Wichita weather plays a vital role in the tree’s health or lack of it. Though most trees here (cottonwood, hackberry, juniper, pine, apples, pears, etc.) are weather-adoptive, extreme conditions wreak havoc on their long-term health. 

For instance, prolonged droughts may not affect garden trees much, as irrigation compensates the water insufficiency. But when it freezes, and the root systems deteriorate, you can do little to reverse the damage. 

Wichita receives fair amounts of rainfall, which is good for optimal tree health. However, occasional flooding and ice storms leave severe damage, including root rot, especially in pine trees. Heavy rains and ice storms also knock leaves off the trees, depriving them of a means to produce their food. 

High winds are also prevalent. Whenever they blow through the area, they leave a trail of chaos – downed trees, fallen power poles and lines, and so forth. However, much of the wind damage can be minimized by planting windbreaks.

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Wichita?

Utility companies like Evergy are proactive in vegetation management around their power lines. They prioritize reducing accidental contact risks and power outages without compromising the benefits of increased tree cover within Wichita.

They have designated staff who are responsible for trimming trees and managing vegetation near power lines. However, if there are any dead trees within the range of their power lines, you don’t have to wait for their team to act. You can request their help in removing the trees to avoid the associated risks. 

It’s also essential to adhere to their planting guidelines to minimize tree issues. For instance, you should not plant medium and large trees near the power lines. That way, if there are any accidental falls, the trees won’t fall on the power lines.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Wichita?

Tree removal costs in Wichita vary depending on the size of the tree, its accessibility, and the extent of the job.

However, the average cost is around $700. This may go down to $500 if the work is less involving. Sometimes you may pay more, even up to thousands of dollars, depending on the size of the job, plus other factors as discussed below. But note that stump grinding or removal is charged separately. Grinding may cost you about $75 to $150, while removal would average between $200 and $300. Again, these are average estimates. You may pay more or less.

Size

Our tree removal specialists will give you a quote based on the size of your tree. For instance, removing a tree below 30 feet is far cheaper than sawing down an 80 feet giant. If the tree has a broader trunk or even multiple of them, you should be prepared to pay higher than what you would pay for a palm tree. Tree size also determines the amount of clearing required, meaning a tree with smaller and fewer branches will cost less than a giant oak with numerous branches.

Location

Accessibility of the tree is also a key cost determinant. For instance, if the tree is near a structure, it may require additional equipment to safely remove it, compared to one on clear grounds. The risk factor also increases where the tree is near buildings, as any damage would require compensation.

Extent of Work

Tree removal mainly entails cutting the trunk. In most cases, our specialists will charge you stump grinding or removal separately..