Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Bloomfield Hills?
- 2 Does the City of Bloomfield Hills Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Bloomfield Hills?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Bloomfield Hills?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Bloomfield Hills?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Bloomfield Hills?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Bloomfield Hills?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Bloomfield Hills?
Bloomfield Hills is a city in Oakland County and a northern suburb of Metro Detroit, approximately 20 miles northwest of Downtown Detroit. Although the area is known for its landmark locations, such as the National Historic Landmark Cranbrook Educational Community, its fantastic school district, delicious restaurants, and diverse culture, its abundance of trees, flowers, and gorgeous plants genuinely bring the area to life.
That is why it is not surprising that Bloomfield Hills residents will do everything to ensure that their plants remain healthy all year round. However, before any preventative measures can be taken, it is essential that the area’s homeowners first understand some of the more common tree diseases that Bloomfield Hills often has to deal with.
Tree Rust
Tree rust disease is one of the most varied diseases out there, as it is a fungus family with thousands of members. This condition will gradually grow on the leaves of the tree and create an unsightly orangish appearance. If homeowners see this condition, they need to quickly use a tree disease treatment to protect the tree’s health and prevent it from spreading.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a fungal disease that is a grave threat to your trees. It often attacks deciduous trees, including ash, oak, maple, sycamore, and birch trees, and causes various symptoms. However, generally, once the disease strikes the tree, it spreads quickly, causing severe damage to it and results in spotted leaves that have brown, curled edges, which often drop prematurely. Since this fungus thrives in moist and cool climates, it is incredibly prevalent in Michigan.
Oak Wilt
Oak wilt is a tree disease that results from an invading fungus eating away at the tree from the inside. Although it can affect both red and white oak trees, it is terrible news for all oak trees. Oak wilt should not be taken lightly, as it can kill an oak tree rather quickly, sometimes even within weeks of infection.
Symptoms of this disease tend to appear in late June through September, and the affected trees will suddenly begin to wilt, rapidly drop leaves, and the leaves will take on a brown color.
Does the City of Bloomfield Hills Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The City has enacted a Tree Preservation and Protection Ordinance to protect Bloomfield Township’s trees and the quality and character of the neighborhoods within the community. Basically, under this ordinance, a tree permit is required for any individual that wants to remove, clearcut, transplant, or destroy any protected tree or landmark tree on any property in Bloomfield Township that is undergoing redevelopment or new construction. In addition, a tree permit is also required for any clear-cutting activity on any property in Bloomfield Township.
However, the City does not require a permit to trim or remove dead, damaged, or diseased trees for a property that is not subject to site plan review or approval for a building permit.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Bloomfield Hills?
In Bloomfield Hills, property owners are responsible for taking care of their flowers, plants, and private trees. Yet, this does mean that property owners are liable for the damages that ensue if their tree falls onto another person’s property. Liability will often depend on the circumstances of the situation. For instance:
If You’re a Homeowner?
In Michigan, if a tree falls because of natural causes such as intense storms or heavy winds, the property owner of the place where the tree has fallen is held liable for removing the tree. However, it is essential to note that these property owners are also required to reasonably care for their trees to prevent them from damaging another person’s property. This requirement means that if a tree shows signs of instability or weakness, the property owner needs to make corrections to the tree within a reasonable period. Otherwise, if the tree falls, the property owner can be held liable for the costs associated with the fallen tree.
If You’re a Renter?
Typically, when a renter and landlord enter into a property agreement, the contract will indicate how each party will need to take care of the property. Yet, suppose issues come up that are not mentioned in the agreement. In that case, the landlord will often be responsible for making necessary repairs to the property, while the renter will maintain the premises. As a result, if a tree falls, it very likely that the situation will go beyond the renter’s responsibility and become the landlord’s issue.
If You’re a Landlord?
As discussed above, the landlord will be responsible for taking care of a fallen tree unless the property agreement states otherwise. Consequently, the landlord will be on the hook for the costs associated with removing the fallen tree.
If You’re a Neighbor?
Suppose the property owner knew or should have known that a tree was dead, diseased, or in danger of falling over and did not take reasonable steps to correct this problem. In that case, the property owner will likely be liable for any damage the tree causes to the neighbor’s property, including expenses related to removing the fallen tree.
On the other hand, if there were no issues with the tree, and it fell because of natural causes, the neighbor would be responsible for the costs associated with the fallen tree.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Bloomfield Hills?
The soil in Michigan varies greatly depending on which part of the state you are in. For instance, most of the western and northern portions of the Lower Peninsula are dominated by sandy soils. At the same time, the southern Lower Peninsula, where Bloomfield Hills is located, is made up of clay and loam soils.
Loam soils are best for plant growth because they are made up of sand, clay, and silt, which provide desirable characteristics for plants to thrive. Additionally, clay soils hold moisture better than sandy soils and can be more fertile. However, they tend to swell when they get wet, limiting water movement in the roots. Plus, when the soil dries, it tends to crack, and it can become very challenging to manage. That is why homeowners should plant tree varieties that can handle these unique soil types.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Bloomfield Hills?
Michigan is classified as having a Humid Continental Climate, meaning that it has distinct summers and winters and a relatively even distribution of precipitation throughout the year. Generally, temperatures vary from 24.5 degrees in January to 73.5 degrees in July, but local temperatures can also get much higher or lower than these averages. As a result, it is essential that before gardeners plant just any type of tree in the area, they choose varieties that can handle this changing climate.
For instance, tree species that can handle Michigan’s weather best include:
- Maple Trees
- Oak Trees
- Basswood Trees
- Blackgum Trees
- Hickory Trees
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Bloomfield Hills?
In Oakland County, two-thirds of the time that customers spend without power is due to trees. That is why tree trimming is a necessary solution to prevent outages from happening in the first place. For this reason, utility companies such as DTE Energy work year-round to trim hazardous trees and branches away from the power lines.
DTE energy uses a tree trimming process designed to foster collaboration and communication with customers every step of the way while ensuring that they create a well-thought-out plan to trim the hazardous trees in the area. Although DTE follows a tree trimming schedule, it is vital that if you see a tree interfering with your power lines, that you contact the company and speak with a representative about scheduling an evaluation as soon as possible.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Bloomfield Hills?
The cost of removing a tree in Bloomfield Hills will depend on various factors, including the size of the tree that needs to be taken down, the equipment required to remove the tree, and the health of the tree. The average cost is around $780, and most jobs range between $190 and $2,100. However, before homeowners spend thousands of dollars on this project, it would help if they learn more about these different factors. This way, they can be better prepared to cover the costs of the job.
The Size of the Tree
In Bloomfield Hills, the average tree removal cost is $783. However, this price can vary depending on the size of the tree. Tree size is often the most significant factor that will impact the overall costs of removing a tree. For instance, small trees in the area may only cost a few hundred dollars to cut down, while giant trees may cost homeowners upwards of $2,000 to remove.
The Tree’s Accessibility and the Area Surrounding the Tree
Another factor you need to be aware of is the tree’s terrain and the tree’s accessibility. Typically, tree removal services will often look into whether:
- Removing the tree’s debris from the area will be an incredibly time-consuming project.
- The property where the tree is located is small.
- It will be challenging to get large equipment into the yard.
Additionally, our tree specialists will need to verify if the tree’s surrounding area will pose any issues, such as if the tree is blocked by a fence or a garden or on a slope. If any of these conditions are present, it can significantly increase the final costs of the job.
The Health of the Tree
If the tree is dead, dying, or at risk of falling over, our experts may have to use special equipment and safety precautions to ensure that injury can be prevented when the tree is being removed. However, if this special care is needed, the overall costs of the job will go up.