Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Catonsville?
- 2 Does the City of Catonsville Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Catonsville?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Catonsville?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Catonsville?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Catonsville?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Catonsville?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Catonsville?
In the spring, summer, and fall, your family probably spends time outdoors enjoying the fresh air and the shade of the trees that dot your yard. Catonsville has a varied selection of non-native and native trees. You might have a few of the trees we most commonly see in the area in your own outdoor space, such as:
- Northern Red Oak
- American Beech
- American Elm
- Serviceberry
- Sourwood
- Winged Sumac
- Sweetgum
- American Sycamore
Some of these trees grow to majestic heights. This makes it all the more difficult to understand what went wrong when one of them needs to be removed from your Catonsville yard.
Damage from the Winter Weather
In Catonsville, you enjoy a white winter with an annual average of around 18 inches of snow, and the daytime temperatures often hover around the freezing mark. However, once the sun goes down and for a few weeks each year the daytime temps, the temperatures plummet into the low 20s.
When the temperatures drop below freezing and remain there for several days, it can create a condition known as a hard freeze. This condition freezes the water and nutrients in the soil, making it impossible for the trees to get what they need to grow and thrive.
If the hard freeze goes on for several days or weeks, you may find that one or more of your trees is damaged. Most of your evergreen trees will flourish again in the spring, although young evergreen trees might not survive if it’s an extended hard freeze.
In the spring, the signs of damage from a hard freeze might be easy to see. There might be a tree that seems to have weathered the temperatures, but it suddenly begins to die a couple of months later.
With a tree like this, the hard freeze killed a portion of the tree. When the portion can’t process nutrients, it begins to slowly damage the rest of the tree. Our team is always ready to evaluate any trees that you think might be damaged by a hard freeze in your Catonsville yard.
Damage from an Insect Infestation
Bugs and other critters are only adorable in Disney movies. When they infest the trees in your Catonsville yard, they can damage or kill an otherwise healthy tree. Insects like to make their home in or eat a healthy tree. The insects that we see most commonly include:
- European Gypsy Moth
- Asian Gypsy Moth
- Asian Longhorned Beetle
- European Cherry Fruit Fly
- Spotted Lanternfly
When you see an infestation in a tree, there’s a good probability that others in the area are infected too. If you catch a pest infestation early enough, there are treatments available to save the tree and rid it of pests. Here are a few of the signs of an infestation:
- Areas of the tree appear sunken
- New growth of leaves and limbs appear smaller
- Leaves appear discolored or have holes
- Channels and holes in the trunk
- Bald spots
- Fewer leaves in the canopy
- Insects crawling on or landing on the tree
Our team can evaluate an infestation and help you decide on a course of treatment.
Does the City of Catonsville Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Maryland has strict rules regarding trees that line the streets and highways in the state. The city and the state will assist in a tree removal problem on public land. However, a tree in your yard is considered to be on private property. This means it’s your responsibility to remove the tree and finance the costs.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Catonsville?
Trees located on public land are the responsibility of the state and the city. When a fallen tree once grew in your yard, it’s on private property, and you’re responsible for taking care of it. You may find that part of your yard is an easement for use by the city or a local utility company. If a tree falls in that area, you can get the city or utility company to remove it.
If you’re a homeowner?
As a Catonsville homeowner, you’re more than likely responsible for removing a fallen tree in your yard. The only exception would be if it grew on an area of easement owned by the city. You can always check with the city if the tree grew at the front of your yard close to the street.
If you’re a renter?
Sometimes, as a tenant, you agree to take care of the yard of the Catonsville home. This doesn’t include removing a fallen tree. You need to contact the homeowner, so they can make arrangements to have the tree removed.
If you’re a landlord?
When you’re the landlord, you’re the homeowner too. You’re responsible for the removal of fallen trees even if the lease specifies the renter takes care of the yard work. This is a project that’s too large to be considered routine yard work.
If you’re a neighbor?
When a tree that once grew in your neighbor’s yard falls and lands in your outdoor space too, you might wonder who is responsible for its removal. In this case, it’s your neighbor’s responsibility to remove it.
A fallen tree from your neighbor’s yard might be due to neglect. Your neighbor might have known the tree was damaged and failed to treat it or remove it. This leaves your neighbor liable for any damage to your home or yard due to their negligence. No matter the circumstances, it’s always a good idea to discuss the situation with your neighbor to keep up a friendly relationship.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Catonsville?
The most common soil type found in Catonsville and Maryland is sassafras soil. This is one of the better soil types for growing healthy trees. As summer arrives, this soil warms up quickly limiting the effects of a hard freeze. Also, it drains well, so you don’t need to worry about your tree roots spending too much time submerged and developing root rot.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Catonsville?
Yes, the weather can affect the trees in your Catonsville yard. The winter temperatures can easily dip below freezing for an extended period of time, creating a hard freeze that stops your trees from getting the nutrients they need.
The area sees more than 45 inches of rain each year, which can leave an excess of moisture in your soil and cause root rot. In the summer months, there’s little rain, which can lead to drought conditions that leave your trees struggling to grow.
You might need to water your trees in the summer to offset the lack of water. However, Maryland does institute water restrictions during dry spells, so you should check before watering.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Catonsville?
Dead trees near a power line create a hazardous situation. In some cases, a dead tree might fall across a power line, and you need to call emergency services. Even if the tree isn’t lying across a power line, you still need to find a professional service to remove it due to the danger.
If the tree grew on your property in Catonsville, then you’re responsible for its removal, and you can call us for help. There is a chance, with a tree close to the power lines, that the tree grew on an easement, and you can get the power company to remove it.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Catonsville?
Homeowners often ask how much it’s going to cost to remove a tree within the first few minutes of speaking with us. Until we view the tree, we can’t provide you with an actual cost.
In Catonsville, the cost of tree removal normally ranges between $255 and $2,055 with an average cost of $655. Fortunately, you only need a permit for the removal of trees on public land, so you won’t need to worry about that additional expense. There are a few factors that determine your final price.
Tree Location
Sometimes, we’re called to remove trees that are close to a home or in a tightly-knit group of trees. It takes extra time and safety measures to get the tree removed without damaging your home or the other trees in your Catonsville yard.
Tree Size
The size of the tree plays a large role in the final cost of removing a tree from your yard. Tall and wide trees take longer for our team to cut down and require additional safety equipment to remove, increasing the cost.
Condition of the Tree
Some trees have already begun to decay before we start the removal process. We cut down a tree in sections, starting at the top. If the decay is extensive, we may need to provide safety equipment to ensure the decayed parts don’t fall in on themselves, potentially causing damage to your home or one of our workers.
