Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Frederick?
- 2 Does the City of Frederick Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Frederick?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Frederick?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Frederick?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Frederick?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Frederick?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Frederick?
Frederick trees experience all four seasons and are prone to several pests and diseases. Luckily, they’ve learned to adapt to most conditions. Here are several issues that trees in Frederick face the most.
Severe Weather
Frederick experiences cold winters and hot, humid summers. Trees face challenges like ice storms in the winter and severe weather in the summer. If ice accumulates on tree branches that are weak or dying, the branches can break and the tree can fall, resulting in damage to your property. Summer storms bring lightning and wind as well as the occasional tornado. If your trees aren’t in perfect health, they can be vulnerable to the storms’ gusty winds. It’s important to provide regular maintenance to your trees so when severe weather blows in, they’re ready for the challenge.
Pests and Diseases
Trees in Frederick can be affected by several pests. If left untreated, they can damage the tree so badly that it will need to be removed. Keep a close eye on your trees, and at the first sign of infestation, call your local arborist for help. The emerald ash borer is the most common pest to affect ash trees in Frederick. These bugs lay eggs under the bark of ash trees, and the larvae eat away at the sapwood beneath the bark. Without proper treatment, emerald ash borers can kill a perfectly healthy ash tree within three years. This pest has become such a threat that the Maryland Department of Agriculture created a Quarantine Order to protect ash trees across the state.
Tree aphids also feed on the sap of trees, and once an infestation begins, they weaken the leaves, causing them to wilt, leaving your tree in an unhealthy condition. Vulnerable trees become a hazard and can cause significant damage when severe weather strikes. Make sure to call your local arborist at the first sign of aphids.
Oak wilt is a disease that affects oak trees in Frederick and the surrounding area. As the name suggests, this fungal infection first causes oak tree leaves to wilt and can kill a tree in as little as three weeks. There is no cure for oak wilt, but surrounding trees need to be treated immediately so it does not spread. If you suspect your oak tree has this disease, call a tree removal company in Frederick quickly.
Does the City of Frederick Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The city of Frederick pours a lot of time and resources into the upkeep of its street trees and canopy. If the street tree in front of your property becomes sick or damaged, call the city’s official arborist in the Parks Division at (301) 600-1233. The arborist will inspect the tree and decide on a course of action. If the tree does, in fact, need to be removed, the Parks Division will take care of the cost and labor.
If a tree on your property needs to be removed, you’ll need to fill out a tree removal application with the city. Once the city approves and you have the tree removed, the city of Frederick will replace it with a new, healthy one for you to plant in its place.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Frederick?
When a storm blows in, trees can fall without regard to property lines, leaving neighbors to sort out the costs. This happens so frequently that the city of Frederick addressed some of the most common issues regarding tree damage and liability. Here’s a brief explanation for each living situation that you may find yourself in.
If you’re a homeowner?
Homeowners are responsible for all the trees within their property lines. If your tree falls during a storm or by any other “act of God”, your insurance will cover the costs. Make sure you’re regularly maintaining your trees so you know ahead of time that they’re strong enough to withstand a storm.
If you’re a renter?
One of the greatest benefits of renting is that you aren’t responsible for home maintenance or landscaping. If a tree falls, the responsibility lies with the landlord and their insurance will pay for the damages. If your car or other personal property is damaged, their insurance will likely pay for that, as well. If you run into problems, call a lawyer to help you get the money you deserve.
If you’re a landlord?
As a landlord, you are responsible for all the trees on your rental properties. It is your job to provide regular maintenance to your trees to ensure that they are healthy and strong. If a tree falls, your insurance will be responsible for paying for the damages.
If you’re a neighbor?
If your neighbor’s tree falls onto your property, your insurance will pay for your damages. The only time this may be disputed is when your insurance believes the trees had been neglected and were a known hazard. If this is the case, your insurance company may go after your neighbor’s insurance to pay. To avoid neighbor disputes that can get ugly, make sure you talk with your neighbors if you notice a tree that is sick or dying on their property.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Frederick?
The soil in Frederick is perfect for nurturing small seedlings to grow and become beautiful parts of the canopy that frames the city. If you want to ensure that your trees are getting the best nutrients, add fertilizer to your soil before planting a new tree. The city of Frederick also encourages all residents to add mulch around the base of their trees. Mulching provides many benefits to trees including:
- Locking in moisture near the roots
- Keeps the weeds away
- Adds a layer of protection to roots
- Provides a thermal layer, keeping roots nice and cozy
- Adds organic matter to enrich the soil around your tree’s base
If you decide to mulch around the tree, check out the city’s resources. There are right and wrong ways to go about mulching, and Frederick illustrates the best ways to go about doing it.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Frederick?
Frederick experiences all four seasons including hot, humid summers and winters that are very cold. Temperatures fluctuate greatly throughout the year and the trees in Frederick have learned to adapt to the climate conditions. One of the best ways to protect your trees from extreme weather conditions is by properly maintaining your tree so that it’s healthy and strong enough to weather any storm.
Ice storms in the winter can weigh down branches and cause trees that are weakened by disease to topple under the pressure. In the same way, summer storms can uproot sick and dying trees with gusting wind and lightning strikes. Make sure you’re regularly inspecting your trees for distress and if your tree is sick or dying, call an arborist right away to remove it.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Frederick?
Frederick has an Arboricultural staff who are certified to properly care for the street trees in the city. They use a tree inventory system to provide maintenance on the trees that line the city streets so they can keep track of each tree’s growth and needs. Because of the city’s focus on tree health, no residents or other arborists are allowed to prune trees along the city streets. If trees are near power lines, call the City of Frederick Arborist at 301-600-1233, and they’ll take care of everything.
If trees are near power lines, you can also fill out a form with Potomac Edison. The utility company will remove any branches that interfere with power lines that run from pole to pole. If your branches are interfering with power lines that run from the pole to your home, it becomes your responsibility.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Frederick?
When you need a tree removed in Frederick, it’s always best to call the experts for a quote. No two trees are alike and the tree removal process is tailored to your specific needs. Here are a few of the factors that your arborist will consider when calculating your price.
Tree Size
Every tree is unique and will require different approaches for removal. Tall, thick trees are going to be much more complicated to remove than those that are short and narrow. Your local arborists know how to remove trees of all shapes and sizes, but your price will directly correlate with the size of the tree you’re having removed.
Tree Location
Trees that are located near buildings, power lines, or other structures will complicate the process. Arborists will need to take extra safety measures to avoid dangerous electrical interference as well as to protect your home from debris as the tree is removed. Expect to pay a little more for tree removal if your tree is close to your house, garage, or power lines.
Accessibility
Trees are everywhere, and if needed, your arborist will find a way to access the affected tree, but if your tree is off the beaten path, you’ll probably pay a little more. It takes a lot of equipment to remove a tree, and your arborists should be compensated for the extra effort needed to access those hard-to-reach ones. They will likely factor in the time and work needed to access your tree into the final bill.
