Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Holden?
- 2 Does the City of Holden Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Holden?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees In Holden?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Holden?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Holden?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Holden?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Holden?
Beeches, hemlocks, pines, ash, and oaks surround and intertwine Holden’s streets giving their shelter and beauty to the city. However, there are a few bumps on the logs, namely diseases and insects that disfigure and kill the beautiful trees, the forestry department keeps tabs on these. Black Oak Gall Wasps, Asian Longhorned Beetles, Emerald Ash Borer, and Gypsy Moths among others eat the vegetation of the limbs or bore into the bark of the tree and destroy the wood from the inside causing limb and tree death. Diseases like Beech Leaf Disease and White Pine Needle cast are destroying the trees and being spread by the careless moving of firewood.
Does the City of Holden Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
While Holden does not provide direct assistance with private property trees in either maintenance, trimming, or removal, they do provide city trees care. Should a tree fall on the property, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to mitigate the hazard and repair the damages properly and promptly. In the case of a natural disaster, FEMA may be available to assist in the removal by reimbursement of funds. Some insurances will cover the care and/or removal of diseased or dead trees. Check the policy for complete understanding. Insurances will not typically cover the removal of a tree for aesthetic reasons.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Holden?
While the Tree Warden is responsible for the city’s trees and care of the vegetation on public property, the home or business owner is responsible for their own property. The main thing to remember is that permits are necessary for trimming or removing trees no matter their state, and it is best to contact the Tree Warden to clarify the need and fees for permits before any work is completed.
If you are a homeowner?
Homeownership is a time-consuming, and sometimes, money-consuming business. While it is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain the property up to code, some of the most overlooked aspects include care and maintenance of the trees on the property. Most only receive care after it is noted that the tree is infected. However, dead, diseased, infested trees that fall can cause a liability suit for the homeowner. It is best to not forget to have trees inspected and pruned to prevent this occurrence. Prompt removal of dead trees before storms can pull them up and blow them over can prevent damages the homeowner will be liable for.
If you are a renter?
Depending on the terms of the contract, the renter’s responsibility is simple. Renters must maintain the lines of communication to the landlord for anything that is not as it was when they moved onto the property. This includes trees and vegetation. In some cases, the contract will state that the care and maintenance of the land are under the renter’s care. However, when a tree falls, the landlord is responsible for the removal and repair of any damages. Ample renters’ insurance and flood insurance will cover any damages to the renter’s property. Structural damage is the responsibility of the landlord and may require the renter’s removal to complete.
If you are a landlord?
The landlord is the homeowner, and is, therefore, responsible for the land and structures of the property including the trees. While the rental agreement may state specific duties to maintain the vegetation and trees, a fallen tree is the responsibility of the landowner. If a tree does fall, a request may be made to the renter to cover a portion of the tree service fees. However, unless specifically designed into the original rental agreement, the renter has no responsibility to provide additional payments for the maintenance of the property including removal of the tree.
If you are a neighbor?
As in most of the country, Holden has seen many neighbors dispute who is responsible for damages caused by a healthy tree falling over the property line. Healthy trees can fall from storms or other catastrophic incidents that are not within the homeowner’s control. Once they do fall, it is each property owner’s responsibility to contact their insurance company and begin the removal process. The exception is if a tree was neglected and fell during an incident, the homeowner who should have promptly removed the diseased or infected dead tree may be liable for the damages the tree caused.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees In Holden?
Paxton soils that develop the rolling hill countryside are made of well-draining loamy soils that are very fertile for vegetation growth. With a slight mixture of clay in the soils naturally occurring, the trees can maintain an ample hold on the ground and obtain nutrients readily. Testing by our arborists can determine if the pH and nutrient types are enough for the species of tree planted in the property and suggest changes that will allow the trees to grow stronger. Well-draining soils tend to help with the problem of root rot, as the soils do not hold the extra moisture necessary for the bacteria to break down the roots.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Holden?
Holden has freezing winters and warm summers. Clouds dot the sky on most days, preventing growths from becoming burned by the UV rays and heat. However, winters are a blessing and a curse. A sudden freeze before the official start of winter can put a tree in shock, forcing damages to limbs and leaves that have not fallen. Warm sap can freeze and snap causing a limb to weaken. Heavy snowfall can snap branches off at the weakest spots. However, trees benefit from the thawing of the snow and time spent dormant. When spring does arrive, new growth is given ample opportunity to bloom.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Holden?
The Tree Warden and the Light department are responsible for maintaining the line’s right of way and will trim or remove trees that can potentially cause a problem to the power supply lines. However, trees on private property that threaten the line between the home and the pole are the responsibility of the homeowner. A homeowner must contact a tree service that is licensed like Tree Triage to remove trees and limbs near electric lines. Do not try to remove the limbs yourself, especially within 10 ft. of an active power line. Electricity can arch up to 10 ft. and cause damage to tools, trees, and the people near it.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Holden?
Tree removal in Holden typically costs between $200 and $1,800. There are a few factors that play a part in the calculations of the cost of the service, including the size of the tree, distance from the road, overhang and utility involvement, and additional services.
Size and Distance
The size of the tree does matter a great deal. Trees must be trimmed before being cut down, and pieces can be no longer than 5 ft. long. The more cuts we need to make to bring the tree down 5 ft. at a time increases the cost. Distance from the road matters because of haul-off and removal. Tree trunks, even only 5-ft. sections can weigh a great amount and extra equipment is necessary to move the debris to the trucks that haul them off. Multiple trees increase the cost of the job. Jobs typically take us between 4 hours and a few days to complete safely.
Safety Concerns
Proximity to buildings and electric lines increases the risk to our crew and to structures near the tree to bring down. Extra equipment, like a crane, may be necessary to bring the tree down without damaging the surrounding structures. It may also require extra crew members to complete the work in a safe and timely manner. Each extra precaution we take will cost extra for the service. Dead or diseased trees are a safety hazard not only to the property but in their removal as it takes more to ensure the tree does not fall while being brought down.
Additional Services
Most of the time our arborists climb the trees, removes the large limbs, cut the trunk into sections, and stack the wood out of the way. Not every tree service includes the removal of the wood and limbs, but we do.
Additional services on top of removal will cost extra. Number one unnoticed service is the stump grinding or removal. This can be an extra $100 charge. Another option is limb chipping. Approximately $75 can get all the limbs chipped down into mulch-sized pieces to use throughout your garden or make it easier to bag and haul away. The last service option is cutting down into firewood. Please make sure to not move firewood away from the area it was chopped in to prevent the unintentional spread of disease and infestations.
