Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in West Newbury?
- 2 Does the City of West Newbury Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in West Newbury?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in West Newbury?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in West Newbury?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in West Newbury?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in West Newbury?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in West Newbury?
Gyspy Moth
These tiny caterpillars that have yet to transform are very hungry. They eat the leaves from over 300 trees and can quickly defoliate an entire tree. Unfortunately, this leaves the tree vulnerable to infestation and disease. If you notice signs of these pests, call our arborists right away. We’ve got pesticides that work well to remove them from your tree.
Beech Leaf Disease
This disease is caused by microscopic worms called nematodes. It can spread between beech trees that have interlocking roots and causes the tree’s leaves to become stripped and curled. If caught early, our experienced arborists can spray the tree with an insecticide to get rid of these pests so your tree can grow healthy and strong. If left untreated, the disease will kill your beech trees and it will spread to surrounding beech trees in the area.
Emerald Ash Borer
These tiny beetles lay their eggs under the bark of ash trees. Once they hatch, the larvae begin to feed on the tissue beneath, causing the tree to slowly weaken. If left untreated, a mature ash tree can die within a few years. These pests are very small and are hard to spot, but it’s important to keep an eye out for them since they can spread and infest nearby ash trees. West Newbury composed a city guide so you can help to stop the spread of these pests so that the city’s ash trees remain healthy.
Hemlock Wooly Adelgid
The hemlock wooly adelgid is a fuzzy little pest that sucks the sap from hemlock and spruce trees. This upsets the flow of nutrients and causes the tree’s needles to turn brown and fall off. If a small area is affected, you can prune away problem branches, but a large infestation requires help from a professional. We’ve got a couple of approaches that work to rid a tree of these pests. Our arborists can spray the foliage or we can add insecticide that will move along with the nutrients so the wooly adelgids eat it as they feed.
Does the City of West Newbury Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
West Newbury’s Town Tree Warden oversees the trees located in parks, on public property, and along roadways. If the tree along your street needs some attention, it’s best to contact them, and they’ll give it a proper assessment. If the tree is labeled a high-hazard tree, the city will take care of its removal at no cost to you. You can contact West Newbury’s Town Tree Warden at dpwdirector@wnewbury.org or (978) 363-1100, ext.120.
When it comes to the trees on your property, on the other hand, you are responsible for their care. The city does not assist in tree care on public property, so you will need to call our experienced arborists to prune or remove your trees.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in West Newbury?
Many states across the country reference the Massachusetts Law when a tree goes down. Let’s examine a few scenarios where tree removal might be necessary.
If you’re a homeowner?
As a homeowner, you are responsible for all the trees on your property. That means that you need to have them regularly pruned and assessed for any sign of sickness or damage. If one should fall during a storm or other unforeseen event, your homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost. You will only be responsible for paying the deductible.
If you’re a renter?
Renters do not own their homes or any of the surrounding landscape. If a tree is uprooted, you can rest assured that your landlord will take care of the tree’s removal and cleanup. If your bike or car is in the path of the tree’s descent, your landlord’s insurance will cover those damages, as well. Sometimes insurance companies can be difficult, and if that’s the case, you may need to consult a lawyer for help in receiving the money you’re owed.
If you’re a landlord?
As a landlord, you are responsible for pruning all the trees on your rental properties. If a tree should fall, your insurance will pay to have the tree removed. Regular maintenance is very important. If your insurance company can prove that your trees had been neglected or were a known hazard, they will increase your premium.
If you’re a neighbor?
If a neighbor’s tree falls across property lines and lands in your yard, your homeowner’s insurance will pay to have it removed. Similarly, if your tree falls onto your neighbor’s lawn, their insurance will pay for the damages. In rare cases where your insurance company can prove that your neighbor had neglected a hazardous tree, they will go after your neighbor’s insurance for payment.
To avoid neighbor disputes that can be unpleasant and unnecessary, follow West Newbury’s Pruning Guide and keep an eye out for potential problems.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in West Newbury?
The soil in West Newbury is a fine sandy loam. This indicates that you can find a lot of finely ground sand in your soil. Sandy loam is excellent for growing most plants and trees with little difficulty because roots can grow freely through the soil. One major drawback to this soil composition is that rain and nutrients can easily wash through the soil without being absorbed by the tree’s roots. In order to amend this, you can add compost to the soil. Compost will bring extra nutrients to your soil and can help with water drainage.
Homeowners can also add a thick layer of mulch around their tree’s base. This is another way to help water stick around long enough to be absorbed by the tree’s roots. Mulch acts like the forest floor, protecting roots from exposure to the elements and helping the soil to retain moisture. As mulch breaks down, the organic matter will soak into the soil, feeding the tree’s roots with extra nutrients.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in West Newbury?
West Newbury trees face challenges like hurricanes and tropical storms, especially in late August and September. These strong storms bring gusting wind, heavy rainfall, and occasional tornadoes. Native trees have learned to adapt, but if weakened by infestation or disease, they can be at risk of falling. The best way to ensure your trees remain firmly rooted is by providing preventative care. Regularly prune away dead branches so they don’t fall when a storm blows in. Check your trees for signs of infestation or disease, and if you notice a problem, have our arborists assess your tree quickly.
When we are called to remove trees after a storm, most of them have already been sick or dead. Weakened trees can’t withstand strong winds, and heavy rains can wash away the sandy soil, exposing roots and causing a tree to easily be uprooted. In order to avoid root exposure, you can add mulch around the base of your tree. This added protection will help the soil to stay put during a storm.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in West Newbury?
National Grid US provides electricity to West Newbury. The company performs routine maintenance to the city’s trees on a five to ten-year cycle. This includes all trees that interfere with electric wires. National Grid is not responsible for tree branches that are near your phone, cable, or service line. For more information and to see a handy illustration, check out their tree trimming brochure. If you have branches that are interfering with your service line (the line that connects a pole to your home), then you will need to call our team to take care of it. You can call National Grid at 1-800-322-3223 and they will temporarily disconnect your power so we can get the job done safely.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in West Newbury?
If you need to have a tree removed in West Newbury, you can expect to pay around $700. Since tree removal jobs are all very different, it’s important to call for a quote ahead of time, as prices can range from $200 to over $2,000. We consider several factors when determining your final cost. Some of them are below:
Tree Size
The first thing our arborists will do is measure your tree. We’ll take note of your tree’s height, as well as the diameter of its trunk. A tree’s size will determine how much manpower and time it’s going to take to remove your tree, and it’ll likely be the biggest factor in determining your final price.
Tree Location
Your tree’s location will determine whether we’ve got obstacles to work around. Is your home or other structure near the tree? What about power lines? In these cases, we’ll have to take additional safety measures to protect your property and our arborists. We’re confident that we can safely remove any tree, but it’s going to take extra work if there are obstacles to work around, and that will cost you a little more.
Stump Grinding
Our arborists don’t include the cost of stump grinding when they’re removing a tree. We’re happy to grind your stump while we’re there, but it’s going to be an added cost. Luckily, this service usually costs less than the rental price of a stump grinding machine if you wanted to do it yourself.