Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Harford County?
- 2 Does Harford County Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Harford County?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Harford County?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Harford County?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Harford County?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Harford County?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Harford County?
Oak Wilt
This fungal disease affects oak trees but progresses in red oaks very quickly. Leaves will begin to wilt from the top down and eventually, an infected tree will die. There is no cure for oak wilt and it is very contagious. The disease is spread through tree roots as well as by insects who carry spores to new trees. If you notice any signs of oak wilt, call our arborists right away for advice.
Fire Blight
Fire blight is a bacterial disease that causes tree branches to look scorched and burned. This disease can quickly spread from insects, splashing water, and contaminated pruning tools. You can manage this disease by pruning away affected branches, but if a tree is overcome with fire blight, you may need to have it removed. We assess an infected tree’s health first to determine whether it’s able to be saved or if it is at risk of falling and needs to be removed.
Gypsy Moths
Before transforming into moths, the caterpillars feast on the leaves of over 300 different species of trees. If left to infest a tree, these caterpillars can completely defoliate a tree, leaving it weak and susceptible to other infestation or disease. If you notice these tiny caterpillars on your tree’s leaves, call our arborists right away. We find that insecticides work effectively to eliminate gypsy moths if you treat trees at the first sign of infestation.
Emerald Ash Borer
These destructive beetles cause significant damage to trees across Harford County by laying their eggs under the bark of healthy trees. Once they hatch, the larvae begin eating away at the soft tissue underneath. This weakens trees and can leave them at risk of falling during a storm. Unfortunately, the emerald ash borer is hard to spot, so if you notice one near or on your tree, call our arborists right away because there are probably many more underneath the tree’s bark.
Does Harford County Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Harford County’s Bureau of Highways is responsible for the care of all street trees. If the trees in your right-of-way near the road are in need of pruning or removal, give them a call at (410) 638-3279. They will have an arborist take care of the work at no cost to you. If the tree is not an emergent hazard, the Bureau will place it on a list for removal at the soonest available date.
If your tree is located somewhere else on your property, you’ll need to hire us yourself. The county doesn’t assist homeowners in tree removal on their private properties.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Harford County?
When a storm blows through and a tree falls, homeowners can be left with an enormous mess to clean up. Let’s consider a few scenarios where responsibilities can get a little confusing.
If you’re a homeowner?
As a homeowner, you are responsible for maintaining all the trees on your property. That means you should be regularly pruning and checking your trees to make sure they’re healthy and strong. If you notice signs of a problem, have our arborists check it out so you can be confident that your trees will withstand the next tropical storm or snowstorm. If one should fall, your homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost of removal. You will only be responsible for paying the deductible. Harford County follows the Massachusetts Law when it comes to tree removal and insurance companies are usually quick to take care of their clients.
If you’re a renter?
As a renter, you don’t own your home or any of the trees on your property. If a storm uproots a tree, your landlord will take care of the cleanup. If your personal property is damaged during the fall, their insurance will also cover the cost. Sometimes insurance companies can be stubborn, so if you’re having trouble receiving payment for your damages, you may need to consult a lawyer.
If you’re a landlord?
Landlords are responsible for caring for the landscape and trees on all their rental properties. It’s important to regularly prune your trees so they’re strong enough to withstand a storm. If one should fall during an unforeseen event, your insurance will pay for the tree’s removal. You will only be responsible for covering the deductible. If your insurance company can prove that you had neglected the trees on your rental property, allowing a hazardous tree to fall, they will increase your premium.
If you’re a neighbor?
If a neighbor’s tree falls into your yard, your insurance company will step in and pay for the tree’s removal. Luckily, your neighbor’s insurance company will do the same if your tree falls into their yard. If your insurance company can prove that your neighbor had neglected their tree and knew it was a hazard, they will likely go after your neighbor’s insurance for payment.
You can do several things to prevent uncomfortable disputes with your neighbors over tree removal. Take care of your trees and prune them regularly. If you notice a neighbor’s tree that looks sick or needs to be pruned, give them a heads-up or offer to help.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Harford County?
The soil in Harford County is mostly composed of two types of silty loam. Glenelg loam and Chester silt loam are both very deep soils that are well-drained and allow water to move freely through them. This soil is perfect for growing large, beautiful trees like oaks, maples, and ash varieties and they fare very well in Harford County.
Homeowners can add compost to their soil to provide extra nutrients that trees need to grow tall and strong. This will also support drainage and runoff of rainfall during a downpour or tropical storm. Additionally, you can spread a thick layer of mulch around your tree’s base. This layer of protection will act like the forest floor, keeping your tree’s roots safe from the elements and locking in moisture for the tree to use for food.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Harford County?
Harford County experiences hurricanes and tropical storms that bring heavy rainfall and gusting wind. The area also sees its share of snow and ice storms each winter. These weather conditions can put significant stress on your tree’s branches and roots and can cause weak trees to break and even fall. To provide preventative care, it’s important to regularly prune away dead branches that are at risk of falling. Snow and ice can weigh down branches and strong gusts of wind can blow them right off a tree, leaving your home and family at risk. Take care of those dead branches or have an arborist in Harford County prune your trees before severe weather blows in.
It’s also important to watch your trees for signs of infestation or disease. When we do clean-up after a storm, most of the fallen trees are usually sick or already dead. If you notice a problem, have your tree assessed early by our specialists. Weakened trees pose an enormous fall risk during storms or other inclement weather.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Harford County?
Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE), provides electric service to most of Harford County. In the northeast corner, some residents receive their electricity from Delmarva Power. Both companies work on a regular schedule to prune trees across the county that are between power poles. If your tree branches are interfering with power lines between poles, the companies will prune them at no charge to you. If you think the branches need to be pruned immediately or you’re concerned about an electrical emergency, call BGE at 1-800-685-0123 or Delmarva Power at 1-800-375-7117.
Your electric company is not, on the other hand, responsible for pruning branches near your service line. This power line is the one that runs from a pole to your home. If you have branches that are encroaching upon your service line, you can contact us for emergency removal. We will call your electric company to temporarily shut off the power to your home so we can safely prune the branches.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Harford County?
If you need to have a tree removed in Harford County, you can expect to pay around $600. Since tree removal jobs are as unique as the homeowner who calls, your price can vary greatly, typically between $190 and $1,900. We’ll consider several factors when calculating your quote. Some of the most common factors are listed below.
Tree Size
Trees come in all shapes and sizes and your tree’s unique shape will greatly determine the price you’ll pay to have it removed. When calculating your price for tree removal, we’ll measure your tree’s height and the diameter of its trunk. Large trees with lots of foliage will cost much more to remove since they require more manpower and time. The size of your particular tree will likely be the greatest factor in determining the price of its removal.
Tree Location
If your tree is located near your home or other structures, we’ll have to work around them to safely bring it down. The same goes for power lines. Any obstacles nearby will make the job more complicated and will drive up the price of your tree’s removal since we’ll have to take additional measures to keep your home and our arborists safe during the job.
Stump Grinding
If you want to have your stump ground, we will add the job to your current price. Our arborists don’t include stump grinding in their initial quotes but will add it on as an additional charge. The good news is that you’ll probably pay less to have it done professionally than if you’d pay to rent a stump grinder yourself.
