Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Pasadena?
- 2 Does the City of Pasadena Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Pasadena?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Pasadena?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Pasadena?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Pasadena?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Pasadena?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Pasadena?
Pasadena is a very green area and Anne Arundel County does its best to keep it that way. Unfortunately, the trees in this area are still susceptible to several different issues. Some problems that we frequently encounter include:
Oak Decline
In recent years, large numbers of red and white oaks have been dying across the Mid-Atlantic Region. This is a phenomenon rather than a disease and is of significant concern for Anne Arundel County due to the importance of oaks in this area. Oak decline here is largely caused by:
- Cycles of drought and excessive precipitation;
- Pollution and lack of growing space in urban areas; and
- Pests such as the emerald ash borer and the gypsy moth
Soft Scales
There are two generations of azalea bark scale in Maryland every year, resulting in yellowed leaves and twig death. This type of infestation often appears as sooty mold on trees and is most common in late spring and early summer. It can be found on some trees including willow, poplar, and maple.
Fire Blight
This bacterial disease commonly impacts apple and hawthorn trees, although it is capable of spreading to over 130 different types of plants. Fire blight can usually be spotted on blossoms, as they will droop and die prematurely. The disease will then spread through the twigs, causing the leaves to turn dark brown or black as though they have been scorched. If caught early, you can trim the infected branches to prevent the disease from spreading further into the tree.
Rust Diseases
In Maryland, Eastern red cedars are frequently impacted by rust diseases. These appear as leaf spots and fungal spores and will often result in branch dieback and significant leaf loss. Rust diseases can be easily spread by the wind.
Does the City of Pasadena Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Anne Arundel County is responsible for the trimming and removal of hazardous trees on public property within Pasadena. The County does not approve the removal of non-hazardous street trees, even if they cause nuisances such as dropping acorns onto cars or giving off an unpleasant scent. Additionally, the County has the right to trim trees on private property if the limbs are extending into the public right-of-way and are causing problems such as blocking traffic lights.
If you would like to report a potentially hazardous tree on a public roadside, you can contact the Northern Road District at (410) 222-6120 and a representative will come to inspect the tree within one week. However, Anne Arundel County will not provide any assistance if you would like to remove a tree from private property. The County states that “such work is the personal responsibility of each property owner.”
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Pasadena?
If a tree has fallen on private property, it’s common to wonder who will be financially responsible for its removal. Here’s everything you need to know to determine who is responsible based on these common situations.
If you’re a homeowner?
If you are a homeowner and a tree falls on your property, it will be your responsibility to remove it. If the tree was healthy before it fell, your insurance may or may not assist in its removal, depending on the cause of its falling. However, if it damaged your personal property when it fell, you will most likely be able to file a claim for reimbursement. It is important to note that if the tree was dead or badly diseased before it fell, you may be found responsible and therefore not be eligible for assistance from your insurance.
If you’re a renter?
Although some leases may include a clause stating that you are responsible for property maintenance, your landlord will most commonly be the person responsible for removing a fallen tree in the yard of your rental. According to Anne Arundel Property Maintenance Code, if your landlord does not remove the fallen tree on time, a health officer can order them to do so. Depending on the severity of the situation, the health officer may also provide you with assistance if the landlord refuses to take immediate action.
If you’re a landlord?
If you are a landlord, maintenance of your properties is your responsibility. Unless you and your tenants have agreed in writing that the tenant is responsible for maintaining the health of the trees, you will be the one who needs to remove the tree if it falls.
If you’re a neighbor?
If your neighbor’s tree falls onto your property, you will, unfortunately, be responsible for its removal. However, if you can prove that your neighbor had good reason to believe the tree might fall, you may be able to make a legal case for negligence and demand the neighbor pay to take care of the problem. Even if there was no negligence, your neighbor still may be willing to help you handle the tree’s removal despite not being legally obligated to do so.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Pasadena?
The soil in Anne Arundel County is largely loamy and sandy and is fairly well-drained. Loam soil combines the best properties of silt, sand, and clay soils, making it one of the best types of soil for good tree growth. It holds nutrients well and promotes good water movement so that the tree roots will be neither too dry nor too saturated. Trees that excel in this type of soil include:
- Red oak;
- Red maple;
- White cedar; and
- Poplar
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Pasadena?
The climate in Anne Arundel County is continental and has clear seasons. Because it is so near the Chesapeake Bay, Pasadena has a more mild climate than areas further inland as the Bay modifies the local weather. While this is overall excellent for the trees in this area, Pasadena is also prone to occasional droughts followed by heavy rainfall. This contradictory combination of factors means that whenever possible, it is a good idea to plant trees native to this area as they will be more accustomed to Pasadena’s weather. Native tree species include:
- Flowering dogwood;
- Eastern red cedar;
- Boxelder;
- Red maple; and
- American beech
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Pasadena?
Dead trees located near power lines may cause large power outages throughout the area. They can also pose a significant safety risk, as they may become energized, catch fire, or create the possibility of electrocution by knocking the power lines down. These trees must be managed by professionals trained in power safety. As such, tree maintenance around power lines is largely the responsibility of your electric utility company, BGE.
BGE will maintain trees on a four or five-year cycle, trimming or removing them as needed, to follow appropriate safety regulations. However, there is always the risk of trees becoming a hazard in between BGE’s regular maintenance checks. If there is a hazardous tree near power lines on your property, you have two options. You can contact BGE to have a tree trimmer come to provide clearance around the power lines, making it safer for a contractor like us to fully remove the tree. If you would prefer to have a private contractor handle the entire process, you have the alternative option of contacting BGE and requesting a planned outage to reduce the risks of working near power lines. If they agree, they will de-energize the lines free of charge for us to complete the removal.
If you would like to contact BGE to request assistance with your tree or to report a hazardous tree on public property, you can call (800) 685-0123.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Pasadena?
Tree removal costs in Pasadena can vary between $200 and $1,600, sometimes going as high as $2,100 or more. What you will pay depends on a wide range of factors, making it challenging to predict before examining the tree and the location. However, there are a few things that will always have an impact on the price of tree removal:
Health of the Tree
Healthy trees are always more straightforward for us to remove than trees that are diseased or in poor condition. When a tree is fragile or suffering from a potentially contagious infection, our crews will be required to follow additional safety protocols for the removal of the tree and disposal of the infected wood. This is very important in order to prevent the spread of the disease to nearby trees. However, the extra time this takes will increase the cost of labor.
How Large the Tree Is
Along a similar vein, larger trees require significantly more equipment and crew members to safely remove. Large trees also create more debris and will leave an expansive stump that is more challenging to remove from your property. As such, the cost of removing very tall trees will be significantly higher than removing smaller trees of lower than 20 feet.
Ease of Access
The easier it is for us to safely access the tree, the more affordable its removal will be. Trees that are located on sloping ground or are close to buildings or power lines are much more challenging and time-consuming to remove. On the other hand, trees located on a flat surface without large structures or power lines nearby are much easier to remove safely and will therefore have a lower cost of removal.
