AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Methuen, MA

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Methuen?

One of the most devastating pest infestations that we see in this area is from the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, which is an aphid-like pest. This insect is attracted to our Canadian and Carolina Hemlock trees, which are a huge part of our landscape. You can detect their presence by the white, cottony pods on the underside of the tree’s twigs. Another sign you may notice is yellow-tinted growth at the tips of the branches. If treatment isn’t applied before it’s too late, the tree will die. 

Another dangerous pest is the Bronze Birch Borer. As the name suggests, this insect infests Birch trees of all varieties. The larvae of the borer beetles feed on the vascular tissue found underneath the bark of the tree. Over time the tree will start dying off. To know if your birch trees are being attacked, there are a few signs to look for. One sign is when you notice what’s called dieback, which is when the tree starts dying off from the tips of the leaves back down the branch. You may even notice the borer adult beetles, which are bronze/copper-colored, hanging out on the tree. 

Diplodia is a common fungal disease seen in our area’s Red, Austrian, and Scotch pine trees. The fungal nuisance infects the new growth, killing it off, which leads to the whole branch dying off as well. If left untreated, the tree will ultimately perish. The disease is characterized by straw-colored or brown pine needles, white or clear sticky substances found on the dead twigs, and cankers dotting the main stem of the tree.   

Another disease often seen in this area is Cytospora Canker, which is a common fungal disease affecting Blue Spruce, and other evergreen tree species. Like Diplodia, this disease is characterized by dieback, which is when you see a branch dying off from the tip, spreading up the tree. Some treatments can be implemented by our arborists to save the tree, but they should be used before the disease has progressed too far. 

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

The City of Methuen has a tree department that will handle tree trimming and tree removal in areas owned by the city. Trees on private properties, such as resident’s lots, are the responsibility of the homeowners. Should one of your trees happen to fall on a power line, then you must contact the electric department right away to report it. They will come out and handle the situation, as it’s too dangerous for you to even be near the tree. 

In case you plan on having a tree removed and it’s really close to a power line, you should let the electric department know. It’s best to be prepared just in case something should happen to go wrong with the tree removal. 

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Methuen?

On occasion, a fierce storm or microburst will come through this area, and we all know what they can do to the trees in the city. Winds can get so strong that some of our precious trees can get blown over, landing in yards, streets, and unfortunately, on homes. When those scenarios happen, who is responsible for the clean-up afterward? Unless they’re the City of Methuen’s property, they won’t be taking care of it. Let’s take a look at who will need to deal with it in different scenarios. 

If you’re a homeowner?

Trees that are on your property are your responsibility. If one falls over on your own lot, then the only thing you need to do is to contact your homeowner’s insurance agent to see if it’s covered first. Then, get the tree removed. Follow your agent’s instructions on how to proceed. If you can, call in a professional, like us, to do it, since we have the equipment to handle the job and the experience to do it right. 

Of course, if your tree falls onto your home, your home’s insurance will cover the damages left behind. You shouldn’t be responsible to pay for much if anything at all. It would depend on the particular coverage you put out on the home.

If you’re a renter?

If you’re renting out a home and a tree falls over onto the lot, the landlord is responsible for handling the situation. The same is true if the tree falls onto the house or garage. The landlord’s insurance should handle the damages caused by the tree, as well as the removal of the tree. 

However, if any of your personal items get damaged from the tree falling over, the landlord’s insurance won’t cover it. You should have renter’s insurance that would cover all your possessions. That would include any of your personal items in the home and even your car or RV that happen to be sitting where the tree fell. 

If you’re a landlord?

As a landlord, you know that anything can happen that can’t be planned for, much like a tree falling over onto the home you rent out to someone else. Should that occur, you are the one that’s responsible for handling the situation. The damage should be covered by the insurance you have on the home. Depending on what your policy contains, they may pay for the removal of the tree, as well. 

However, if an evaluation of the incident determines that the tree fell over from neglect of a disease, you could be held responsible for all damages. The insurance might pay for the cost of repairing the home, but they could come to you to get reimbursement, as the accident could’ve been prevented. 

If you’re a neighbor?

It might surprise you, but if a tree happens to fall over on your lot from your neighbor’s yard, you are responsible for removing it. If it falls onto your home or other building, your insurance will cover the damages and will sometimes pay for the removal of the tree. The same goes for your tree falling onto your neighbor’s house. Their homeowner’s insurance will take care of the damages and possibly cover the clean-up of the fallen tree. 

On a side note, Massachusetts law says that a neighbor can’t force you to cut down a tree on your lot. Unless the tree in question is diseased and could cause possible harm in the future. If a decayed tree falls over onto your home due to its unhealthy state, the owner of the tree could be held liable for the damages. If that’s the case, let the insurance company haggle out that decision and avoid making accusations against your neighbor. 

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Methuen?

One of the most common soil issues seen in this area is over-mulching. People want to keep weeds out of their garden beds and landscaping areas. Mulching is a great way to do that, but for trees, too much mulching or using the wrong type could harm them. Mulch can decompose over time causing nutrient levels to become unbalanced. If your trees aren’t getting what they need to be healthy, they can die off. 

Compacting soil is another issue you could be facing. Compacted soil in areas where external pressure causes the soil to become denser. This decreases the amount and size of soil spores, as well as the flow of water. If that happens, the tree isn’t getting the nutrients needed to keep it healthy and strong. Soil compaction happens with lots of people tramping the dirt near the tree or from vehicles driving in that area. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Methuen?

During the spring and summer months, we often see a few strong storms that bring high winds to the area. Windy conditions like this wreak havoc on trees. Often, you’ll see branches break off and fall and on occasion, a whole tree will get uprooted knocking it over. It’s not uncommon to see fallen branches or trees hit a house, vehicle, or other building. In more severe cases, they can hit power lines, which could knock out the power in half the town. 

In Winter, Methuen sees some wet, heavy snow along with a layer or two of ice. These can accumulate on the trees adding more weight than it’s designed to handle. Some trees, like the evergreen ones, hold more snow due to the needles that it retains all year around. The weight weakens branches and some will ultimately fall off, which makes them vulnerable to insect infestations or fungal diseases. 

Long-Term droughts are another way the weather can affect the trees, albeit indirectly. Droughts mean that trees and other plant life won’t be getting the water it needs. Without the water, it won’t get some of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. 

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Methuen?

If you have a dead tree that’s close to a power line and must be cut down, you need to contact the electric department to report it. Cutting a tree or even trimming one near an electrical line can cause serious injury or fatalities if not done properly. If necessary, they may cut the power to that area while the tree trimming or removal is being done, returning the electrical service when the job is completed. 

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Methuen?

If your project consists of removing a branch or two from a tree, it could cost you up to $200 depending on the size of the branch. Stump removal ranges from $100 to $400, which is also determined by its size. Removing trees often depends on how tall they are. The tallest trees that are around 80 feet and up could run you up to or more than $1,500. Standard height trees could run you anywhere from $200 to $1,000. Here are some of the cost factors that go into the price of the job:

The Condition of the Tree

Removing a dead or dying tree is easier to do than cutting down a healthy one. Costs for tree removal, in this case, might be less due to the already weakened state of the tree. However, if the tree has a severe disease that could easily transfer to other ones nearby, there will be extra caution taken by our arborists to do the removal safely, which would add to the final bill. 

The Size of the Tree 

The size of the tree affects the price of the project. A really tall, but relatively thin tree usually costs less to remove than a smaller, thicker trunked one. Other factors come into play, but for the most part, it takes more labor and possibly the use of bigger equipment to cut down larger diameter trees. 

Location of the Tree

Location is one of the biggest contributing factors to the cost of tree trimming or removal services. Trees that can be easily accessed without the worry of damaging other property, won’t cost you near as much as one that’s right next to a home or other building. The extra time and labor that it will take to cut down that tree will add up to your final bill. 

All in all, trees are important for our environment and should be kept as healthy as possible by trimming away branches that don’t contribute to its health. On occasion, despite all our hard work, trees weaken from disease or other external factors and need to be removed. It’s important to hire highly skilled professionals, like us, to do the job right.