Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in London?
- 2 Does the City of London Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in London?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in London?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in London?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in London?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in London?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in London?
Many of the London yards have a variety of native and non-native trees. These trees add natural beauty and curb appeal to the homes and community. Some of the most common trees we see in the area include:
- Red maple
- Sugar maple
- Yellow poplar
- American beech
- Eastern red cedar
- Black gum
- Sourwood
- Eastern redbud
- Flowering dogwood
The maple and beech trees grow to dizzying heights, while the flowering dogwoods offer beauty and flowers. When one of these trees becomes damaged or diseased and needs to be removed, London homeowners often wonder what went wrong and what they could’ve done to save it. Usually, the homeowner couldn’t have done anything to save the tree. Here are the tree issues that we see most often in the area:
Damage From Storms
In the spring and summer, London sees some violent storms. When storms bring thunder and lightning, there’s a chance that the trees in your yard might get damaged. Lightning can strike a tree, causing damage or death. Sometimes, a direct strike of lightning splits a tree in half.
Along with thunderstorms, there’s always the possibility of a tornado. Between 1950 and 2010, London saw 49 tornadoes–or almost one a year. Tornadoes can cause massive damage to your home and outdoor space.
The winds inside the funnel of a tornado can reach wind speeds of up to 300 mph. The wind speeds depend on the category of the tornado. You might think that your home and yard are safe if you aren’t in the direct path of a tornado.
However, the debris field of the twister presents the chance of damage. The debris field of a tornado can extend a mile on both sides of the funnel and up to 50 miles behind it.
If you think that one of the trees in your London yard has been damaged in a storm, we can evaluate the tree and make a recommendation for treatment or removal.
Damage from Insect Infestations
Along with violent storms, spring brings plenty of bugs and pests. London’s warm, humid springs and summers create an oasis for insects and other pests. These critters play an essential role in the ecosystem, but you don’t want them anywhere near your trees. These insects cause damage by making your tree home or a food source. Here are the insects that we see most commonly:
- Emerald Ash Borer Beetle
- Asian Gypsy Moth
- Asian Longhorned Beetle
- European Cherry Fruit Fly
- European Gypsy Moth
- Spotted Lanternfly
When you notice one of these pests in the area, you need to check the trees in your London yard. Typically, an insect infestation isn’t isolated to a single tree. You may have a few trees with a pest problem. We can treat an insect infestation on your trees if it’s caught early enough. You need to be able to recognize the signs of an insect infestation, such as:
- Holes and channel bored into the trunk
- Missing patches of bark
- Insects crawling on or swarming around the tree
- New limbs and leaves are smaller than average
- Misshapen or discolored leaves
- If growth stops suddenly
- Fewer leaves in the canopy
When you notice an issue with insects, our team can evaluate the trees in your London yard and provide treatment options.
Does the City of London Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The City of London does provide assistance with tree removal problems on public land. This includes easements on your property. However, if it’s a tree problem on your land, it’s considered private property, and the city won’t provide any assistance in the tree’s removal. You’re expected to take responsibility for removing it.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in London?
In London, we get many phone calls about who is responsible for removing a fallen tree. There are a variety of circumstances that affect the responsible party. This section covers the circumstances that we hear about most often:
If you’re a homeowner?
When you’re the London homeowner, you’re almost always the responsible party for removing a fallen tree in your yard. It’s possible that the fallen tree is on an easement owned by the city or a utility company. If that’s the case, you can get the easement owner to remove it.
If you’re a renter?
Are you renting a home in London and mowing the grass each week? Even when you’ve agreed to take care of the yard as a renter, the homeowner remains responsible for removing the fallen tree. You do, however, need to keep the homeowner apprised of any issues in the yard.
If you’re a landlord?
Are you the homeowner and the landlord? If so, you’re the responsible party for removing a tree from your London yard, even when you have a tenant living in the home.
If you’re a neighbor?
Our London team gets an occasional call from a homeowner whose neighbor’s tree has fallen into both yards. As the homeowner, you’re responsible for removing the tree that’s in your yard.
However, you might discover that your neighbor knew the tree needed to be removed and failed to do so. In this situation, your neighbor was negligent in their care of the tree and liable for any damages to your home and for removing the entire tree.
It’s always a good idea to talk to your neighbor in this situation. If the two of you can solve the issue without involving the court system, it’s better for everyone and helps you maintain a friendly relationship.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in London?
Crider soil is the soil type that we see most often in London. This soil helps your trees grow well. You can expect the soil to absorb water quickly and drain it effectively. The quick drainage helps you lower the risk of root rot, a fungal disease, in the trees in your yard.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in London?
Yes, you can expect the weather in London to affect the health of your trees. The storms in the spring and summer can bring lightning strikes that can damage or destroy a tree in your yard.
The possibility of tornadoes is also another danger. With a wind speed of up to 300 mph, a tornado can rip a tree out of your yard and drop it anywhere.
Although the winter temperatures are moderate in the area, there are always several weeks of freezing weather. This creates a hard freeze that deprives your trees of the nutrients they need to grow. You might find one of your trees doesn’t start growing again in the spring.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in London?
When you need to remove a dead tree from near a power line, it might be on an area of an easement that’s owned by the utility company. They’ll remove a dead tree in this area. If the tree isn’t in an easement, then it’s your responsibility to remove it as the London homeowner.
A dead tree and power lines can create a deadly situation. If you see a tree, dead or not, lying on a power line, you need to move to a safe distance and call London emergency services. A dead tree near a power line requires a professional service like Tree Triage to remove, so the tree doesn’t accidentally fall on the line.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in London?
This is often the question we hear first from London homeowners. We’d love to provide you with an exact cost, but we’d need to see the tree first. The cost of removing a tree in the area ranges between $265 and $1,935 with an average of $550.
There are several cost factors that go into your final cost. While you only need a tree removal permit in the nearby National Forest, there are other things to consider.
Condition of the Tree
Sometimes, a tree begins to decay after it dies. This usually happens in sections, and these sections are apt to crumble in on themselves. When we remove a heavily decayed tree, we need to take extra time and precautions to ensure it doesn’t crumble and create an uncontrolled fall.
Size of the Tree
Trees that tower over your London home take more time and equipment to safely remove. We don’t want any accidental damage to your home or other trees in the immediate vicinity.
Other Services
When we remove a tree from your London yard, there are other services that we can offer. Our team can remove the tree stump and run the tree through a wood chipper. You can use the wood chips as mulch.