Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Cape Cod?
- 2 Does the City of Cape Cod Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Cape Cod?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Cape Cod?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Cape Cod?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Cape Cod?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Cape Cod?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Cape Cod?
Like the people who call Cape Cod home year-round, trees need to be resilient, tough, and strong, but even the mightiest oak can be brought down by diseases, infections, or infestations of insects. When faced with man-made dangers like heavy equipment, trees are truly at a disadvantage. Just a few of the tree issues you should be aware of in Cape Cod include:
Sudden Oak Death
Caused by a water mold pathogen called Phytophthora ramorum, this disease causes cankers or calluses to form on the trunk and branches of trees. These sores often ooze a black or reddish substance that makes its way down the bark. Other signs to look out for that may indicate your Cape Cod trees have been exposed to sudden oak death include leaf spots and twig dieback.
Gypsy Moth Infestation
These non-native pests are voracious feeders, stripping Cape Cod trees of their foliage in short order. When trees are defoliated, it’s stressful, and if the tree is already compromised in another way, its chances of survival are slim. When gypsy moths invade a tree, and it’s clearly defoliated and unable to recover, it needs to be removed asap. However, it is possible for trees to survive a gypsy moth invasion, but these crafty pests are more than happy to come back for a second round, which is nearly impossible for a tree to survive.
Black Turpentine Beetles
This native insect species is highly dangerous and can affect a variety of tree species that live in Cape Cod. The first signs it’s made your tree home are the 1″ holes they bore in the bottom 6 feet of your tree’s trunk. A mixture of tree resin, bug excrement, and sawdust flows from these wounds. Usually, within a few months, trees infested with turpentine beetles succumb to their injuries and die.
Emerald Ash Borer
One of the most devastating of all the tree pests in Cape Cod is the Emerald Ash Borer. This invasive species was first introduced to the U.S. in the 1990s. Since then, it’s killed countless ash trees up and down the eastern coast of the country. If your trees are invested with this deadly insect, it’s important to take appropriate action. That includes proper handling of the wood and debris after tree removal in order to limit the spread of the insects. Our experts can handle the proper and responsible removal of affected trees.
Does the City of Cape Cod Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Since Cape Cod is an area, not a city, the answer to that question is no. However, each of the cities and towns within the Cape Cod region does have their own rules regarding tree removal. In the majority of cases, such as in Provincetown, there is no assistance for homeowners who need to have a tree removed. It will be your responsibility to take care of the tree removal and all associated costs.
However, in all Cape Cod cities, street trees, city-owned trees, and trees on public property are the responsibility of the municipality. If a tree is suffering from a disease, is dying, or dead, the city will take care of the removal of the tree as well as clean-up. All you need to do is contact your local city office to report the problem tree.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Cape Cod?
The cities in Cape Cod rely upon Massachusetts law regarding trees and liability. In essence, it states that when healthy trees cause damage, the liability for repairs and clean-up lies with the owner of the damaged property. If the tree is dead, or otherwise known to be a hazard, the responsibility shifts back to the owner of the tree, and they are liable for the damages, tree removal costs, and other expenses.
If you’re a homeowner?
As a Cape Cod homeowner, you’re responsible for maintaining your trees so they’re healthy and stable. If you know one is diseased, dying, or dead, it’s up to you to have it removed in order to protect yourself and your property. Regardless of the health of the tree, if it’s growing on your property and falls on your property, it’s your responsibility to take care of tree removal and associated costs. Your homeowner’s insurance may help, but you’ll have to check your policy to be sure.
If you’re a renter?
Renting a place in Cape Cod for the season is a fantastic way to experience the laid-back atmosphere. Don’t worry too much, renters are rarely held responsible for anything that happens to the trees on the property. It’s simply not your responsibility to make sure the trees are properly maintained or that they’re healthy and strong. If you do experience a fallen tree problem and your property is damaged, your renter’s insurance should help.
If you’re a landlord?
If you own an income property in Cape Cod, you’re basically a homeowner when it comes to dealing with problem trees. If a tree that’s growing on the property falls and causes damage, it’s up to you to call us to arrange for tree removal services, clean up debris, and make the necessary repairs. You may also be liable for damages to your tenant’s property.
If you’re a neighbor?
According to Massachusetts law, landowners cannot be held liable for property damage caused by a healthy tree to a neighbor’s property. So, if your neighbor’s tree falls and damages your property, you pay for clean-up and tree removal. However, if the tree is dead and known to be a hazard, the tree owner may be liable for certain damages.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Cape Cod?
The majority of the soil in Cape Cod is a sand, silt, and clay mix. For the most part, it’s an ideal mixture for plants and trees to thrive in. A bit too much rain, however, and high clay content can cause the soil to expand, which can cause damage to the root systems of trees. Sand and silt aren’t all that good at holding nutrients either, and rain simply filters through, taking all the good stuff with it.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Cape Cod?
Weather is one of the biggest factors in the health of trees in Cape Cod. In ideal weather conditions, trees are healthy and happy. Inclement weather, strong storms, lightning, and wind can strip trees of leaves, break branches, and even knock trees down. Drought conditions make it difficult for trees to survive. Winter weather, cold, ice, and snow all take their toll on trees.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Cape Cod?
Dead trees and power lines are a potentially deadly combination. If you see a tree that looks like it’s dead that’s near a power line or a tree that’s already fallen on the line, contact Eversource to report it right away. As will all-electric utility companies, the people who work for Eversource have the training, skill, tools, and equipment to safely facilitate the tree removal process. With advanced warning, the crew can remove the hazardous tree without any disruption to the electric service.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Cape Cod?
Most of the homeowners in Cape Cod who have had to hire us for tree removal paid around $450 per tree, but that’s not a good way to judge how much it will cost for tree removal on your property. We take many things into account when we’re estimating prices for tree removal, and your total could easily rise well above $1,400. Just a couple of things that will affect your rate include:
The Size of the Tree
It’s a simple fact when it comes to tree removal that large, mature trees are much more difficult than small trees. The branches are larger, longer, and heavier. Tree trunks that are large in diameter and very tall are extremely dangerous to take down. We need to bring in heavy equipment, extra rigging, and plenty of crew members to safely remove a large tree. All those things add up to a higher tree removal bill, but you can rest assured everything will go smoothly and the tree will be taken down efficiently.
Where the Tree Grows
Next to the size of the tree, nothing is more important than the tree’s location when it comes to tree removal. If the tree is located in a very restricted space that’s near structures, other trees, or landscape features like fences, it’s more difficult to remove it. Again, we need to bring in special equipment so that we can carefully remove the tree without causing damage or injury.
debris and Stump Removal
Every tree removal job we do in Cape Cod results in a pile of wood, branches, limbs, and other debris that need to be removed, as well. That requires large containers, heavy equipment, and additional time, which adds to your tree removal bill. Tree stumps that need to be removed require a different type of heavy equipment, as well as additional labor hours, again, adding to the final cost.