Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Bangor?
- 2 Does the City of Bangor Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Bangor?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Bangor?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Bangor?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Bangor?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Bangor?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Bangor?
Bangor is a gorgeous city in Maine, where a towering statue of folkloric lumberjack Paul Bunyan resides on Main Street and hints at Bangor’s former status as a timber hub and lumber capital of the world. Although its timber status is no longer, the city continues to prosper as a paper and pulp industry, which replaced its lumbering. Yet, even with its historical past and endless tourist attractions, the city is often best known for its natural beauty that brings people into the area from all over the country.
That is why it is not surprising that homeowners in Bangor go to extreme lengths to do everything they can to protect their plants and trees from the elements and the following common diseases and problems the area has to deal with.
Armillaria Root Disease
The Armillaria root disease is a soil-borne fungus that causes trunk rot and root rot. The fungus becomes well established in the roots and the crown before any symptoms even become visible. However, as the infection spreads, it causes young trees to die fairly quickly after infection and results in older trees dying prematurely.
Asian Longhorned Beetle
This beetle, also referred to as ALB, threatens the area’s hardwood trees, especially since there is currently no cure. As a result, early identification and eradication of the beetle are the only ways to control this unfortunate situation. Although it may seem innocent enough, the Asian Longhorned Beetle is a hazardous species. This is because it is an invasive wood-boring insect that feeds on various hardwoods, including birch, maple, elm, ash, horse chestnut, and willow trees.
As the Asian Longhorned Beetle attacks these trees, it often leaves wilted foliage and canopy dieback. Common signs of this disease include sap oozing from egg-laying sites and exit holes, deep exit holes, and sawdust collecting at the base of the tree.
Ash Leaf and Twig Rust
This disease is caused by a rust fungus that affects all three native ash species in Maine, including white, green, and black ash. As the petioles, leaves, and green twigs become infected with this fungus during the months of May and June, the infection will take hold and continue to spread before it ultimately results in premature defoliation of the trees.
Does the City of Bangor Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
In Bangor, the Tree Board is responsible for studying the problems in the city in connection with its public tree programs and determining the specific needs of the area. Specifically, the Tree Board will meet semiannually and assist in establishing standards for the planting, selection, maintenance, and removal of public trees. It will also be responsible for disseminating information and news on these standards and the general tree program in Bangor.
In addition, the City Forester, in consultation with the Tree Board, will also have the authority to regulate the maintenance, planting, and preservation of public trees in the area so that they can ensure that the beauty of these trees is protected, as well as the public’s welfare.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Bangor?
In Bangor, homeowners are responsible for maintaining their flowers, plants, and private trees. However, this does not mean that if a homeowner’s tree falls onto another person’s property, they are automatically responsible for covering the costs associated with the tree damages. In truth, this liability will often depend on the circumstances of the situation. For instance:
If you’re a homeowner?
In Maine, if a tree falls because of natural causes such as heavy winds or a severe storm, the property owner of the place where the tree has fallen is often held liable for removing the tree. However, it should be noted that property owners need to reasonably care for the tree to prevent them from damaging another person’s property. As a result, if a tree shows signs of damage, weakness, or instability, the property owner should take care of these problems within a reasonable period of time. Otherwise, if the tree falls, they may be held accountable for the costs associated with the fallen tree.
If you’re a renter?
Generally, a renter will enter into a property agreement with the landlord before moving onto the property. This agreement will go over how each party will need to care for the property. However, if problems arise that are not mentioned in the contract, the landlord will often be responsible for making the necessary repairs to the property, while the renter will be in charge of maintaining the premises. Consequently, if a tree falls onto the property, it will likely go beyond the renter’s responsibility and become an issue for the landlord to take care of.
If you’re a landlord?
As discussed above, the landlord will often be on the hook for the costs associated with a fallen tree unless the property agreement states otherwise. This means that the landlord will have to cover the bill to remove the fallen tree.
If you’re a neighbor?
In general, if your tree falls onto your neighbor’s property because of natural causes, you will not be responsible for the damages it causes or the removal expenses. In these situations, the neighbor will often have to file a claim with their own property insurance to get reimbursed for their losses.
However, if you knew or should have known that your tree was dangerous, unstable, or dying, and the tree fell onto your neighbor’s property, you may be held responsible for the damages it causes.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Bangor?
In Maine, the first identified soil type was the Chesuncook soil, and it is one of the most widely distributed soil types in the area today. This soil series name comes from the Native American word for converging bodies of water.
Chesuncook soils formed in dense glacial till derived mainly from slate made up of deep, well-drained soils from mountains, hills, and ridges. The soil’s scientific name is often referred to as mixed, coarse-loamy, frigid Aquic Haplorthods and has a high woodland productivity rating. Although numerous plants and foliage tend to prefer this soil type, some of the most common tree species that this soil produces include red spruce, balsam fir, yellow birch, white ash, American beech, sugar maple, and red maple tree.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Bangor?
Bangor has a humid continental climate, which means it has warm summers and cold and snowy winters. Yet, although the area gets plenty of precipitation, it is still vital that before gardeners plant trees in the area, they pick tree varieties that can handle Bangor’s changing climate conditions and fluctuating weather, such as maple trees, pine trees, hemlock trees, and birch trees.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Bangor?
In Maine, tree limbs and tree branches are the leading cause of power outages. That is why utility companies such as Versant Power are responsible for doing everything they can to manage these trees to improve electric system safety and reliability.
Versant Power’s tree experts often create ten feet of clearance alongside power lines, with fifteen feet above all woody brush, while small trees are removed from beneath the lines. These strict rules are designed to ensure that tree limbs stay away from power lines for about seven years. However, the company’s crews will often return to the area every five to seven years to prune these trees to ensure maintenance.
Once the line clearance is complete, the crew members will remove the brush and branches from the property and leave behind the wood for your use, as is required by law.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Bangor?
In Bangor, the total cost of removing a tree will depend on numerous factors including the tree’s health, the size of the tree, and the equipment needed to remove the tree. However, before you unknowingly spend thousands of dollars on this tree removal project, it would be best to learn more about the different factors that can impact these costs. This way you can be better prepared to cover the hefty bill that may result.
The Overall Size of the Tree
When it comes to the price of removing a tree, one of the most critical factors is the size of the tree. For instance, eliminating medium-height trees that range from 30 feet to 60 feet could cost property owners anywhere between $150 to $850 or more. Yet, for tall trees that range in size from 60 feet to 80 feet, the cost of cutting down the tree can start at $600, but prices can go as high as $2,000 or more.
The Area’s Terrain and the Tree’s Accessibility
Another element you need to be aware of is the tree’s accessibility and the tree’s terrain. For example, when making up your estimate, we will look into:
- Whether the tree is difficult to access
- Whether it will be challenging to get large equipment into the yard
- Whether it will be time-consuming to remove the debris from the area
We may also look into whether the area’s terrain poses any issues for them, such as if the tree is blocked by a fence or a garden, is near power lines, or is located on a slope. If any of these factors are present, it can end up costing you more money to remove the tree.
The Tree’s Overall Health
If your tree is sick, dying, or at risk of falling over, we may need to use special safety precautions and equipment to ensure that injury can be prevented when the tree is being removed. Yet, if this special care is required, the overall cost of removing the tree may increase.
