AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Muskegon, MI

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Muskegon?

Muskegon is the “Port City” of Lake Michigan, with vibrant commercial fishing, cruise, and shipping industries. It is located in Muskegon County and is only a 3-hour ferry ride to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, or a 3-hour drive to Chicago, Illinois. While Muskegon is known for its port, it could easily be known for its trees. Muskegon is a designated Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. Of course, where there are trees, tree issues are bound to happen. Here are some of the most common tree issues in Muskegon.

Tree Pests

The Hemlock woolly adelgid can be a major tree pest in Michigan. In Muskegon, there over 170 million hemlocks are planted along the rivers and lakes. Residents typically identify the insect by the white waxy substance it secretes on the needles of hemlock trees.

When you notice a hemlock woolly adelgid infestation, it is important to call our arborists and not to attempt to remove the insect yourself. It will need to be quarantined to prevent spreading to nearby trees. If an infestation is not treated early, it can often kill a healthy hemlock tree in under 10 years.

Tree Diseases

Boxwood blight is a common disease that infects boxwoods in Muskegon and most of Michigan. Boxwood blight appears as tan or brown spots on boxwood leaves. The stems may also have black lesions and sticky spores that can spread to other plants through water and contact with gardening equipment.

When a boxwood is infected, it can cause a large volume of leaves to brown and fall from the tree and weaken the plant. The disease cannot be cured with fungicide but can be lessened. Treating boxwood blight typically requires tree removal in Muskegon.

Tornadoes and High-Speed Winds

Muskegon County experiences 6 tornadoes each year on average, which can result in damaged and fallen trees. Based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, a minor F1 tornado typically results in snapped branches, while a significant tornado (F2 or higher) can turn branches and limbs into projectiles, tear away bark, and uproot trees.

After a tornado, fallen trees and snapped branches are a common reason to call us for tree removal in Muskegon. We can also trim the tree before a tornado or windstorm to keep it from causing as much damage.

Does the City of Muskegon Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?

If a tree falls in a public location, such as a street, median, right-of-way, park, or cemetery, the Muskegon Public Works Forestry Department can help with tree removal in Muskegon. They remove dead trees, grind the stump, and assist with removing debris after storms. The department is also in charge of planting.

If the tree removal is on private property, the city will be unlikely to assist with removal. The city provides curbside pickup of trimmings and other yard debris from April to November.

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Muskegon?

A fallen tree can be a major problem, especially if you don’t know who is responsible for its removal. Here are some common tree removal scenarios to help you determine who is responsible for tree removal in Muskegon.

If you’re a homeowner?

If you are a homeowner, you will likely be responsible for tree removal in Muskegon. In most cases, any tree that falls onto your property will be your responsibility to remove. This includes trees that originated on your property and trees that originated on your neighbor’s property.

If a tree falls due to someone else’s deliberate actions, such as a neighbor damaging or cutting the tree, you may be able to claim damages from them to pay for the tree removal.

If you’re a renter?

If you are on a rental property, you typically won’t be responsible for tree removal in Muskegon. In Michigan, the landlord should keep common areas safe and fit for use. If a tree falls on the roof of the rental home, or the driveway, walkway, or another common area, the landlord should remove it within a reasonable time after you have notified them.

The primary situation that would result in your being responsible as the renter would be if your neglect or misconduct resulted in the tree falling.

If you’re a landlord?

As a landlord, you are typically responsible for tree removal in Muskegon. A landlord’s repair duties are separated into three categories by Michigan. Emergency repairs that require urgent attention, such as a tree that falls and damages the roof, require a response within 24 hours. There are also major repairs, such as a fallen tree on a driveway or common area. Minor problems, such as a dead tree, are also your responsibility. 

Michigan obligates the landlord to make reasonable repairs to maintain a safe environment for tenants, which can often mean tree removal.

Some scenarios where you would not be responsible for tree removal include if a tenant deliberately damaged a tree or if the tree falls from a neighboring property onto the rental property.

If you’re a neighbor?

As a neighbor, you are sometimes responsible for tree removal in Muskegon. When a tree falls from your property onto a neighbor’s property due to neglect, such as a dead or tipping tree, it can be your responsibility to remove it. However, if it happens due to a storm or unforeseen natural event, you are not responsible for its removal.

As a neighbor, you can inform your neighbors of any dead or tipping trees to avoid a tree falling onto your property, but it is unlawful to remove or trim a tree on a neighbor’s property. If a neighbor damages a tree on your property, they may be responsible for removal and any damage caused.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Muskegon?

The soil in Muskegon is mostly made up of the Rubicon-Croswell-Deer Park association, with Carlisle-Tawas soil to the northeast of the city. Rubicon-Croswell-Deer Park soils have a sandy consistency and drain well to moderately well. They make up a large percentage of the soil in Muskegon county and are a naturally good environment for growing white and black oaks along with white pines. They can be good for growing various trees.

Carlisle-Tawas soils are peaty and drain poorly. They are typically used for growing crops, such as celery, onion, mint, spinach, lettuce, carrots, and melons. Trees that require large amounts of moisture should grow well in these soils. If the tree prefers dry soils, the soil may need to be drained to prevent fungus growth and other problems.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Muskegon?

Western Michigan receives large amounts of snowfall each year, often totaling over 100 inches. Snow can affect trees physically by weighing down tree limbs and causing them to snap or even snapping weak trunks. Snow can also be a hazard to budding trees when it occurs late in the spring. Late spring snow can cause trees to decline and kill new buds.

Drought and dry weather can also impact tree health in Muskegon. Seasonal dry weather is common in Michigan and can become a drought lasting several seasons. Droughts can harm most trees, especially trees with low drought survivability. Drought can also cause tree decline and make trees more susceptible to pests and diseases. Keeping trees well-nourished and hydrated during dry weather can help trees survive the conditions.

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Muskegon?

If a dead tree is near a power line or has fallen on a power line it can be extremely dangerous to try and remove it. DTE Energy provides electricity to Muskegon and maintains the power lines. They trim trees near the power lines to prevent power outages caused by fallen trees.

If you notice a dead tree near the power lines, you can contact DTE to safely remove it. They can also help you select which trees to plant near power lines to avoid problems when the tree grows.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Muskegon?

Tree removal service in Muskegon can cost between $200 and $1,900 on average, including labor, materials, preparations, and cleanup. The cost of our tree removal service is typically determined by three primary factors.

Tree Size

The size of the tree can impact the amount we charge for tree removal in Muskegon. In most cases, larger trees cost more to remove than smaller trees. Larger trees require more time and resources to remove. They require greater preparation to ensure the tree does not fall in an unintended direction and large limbs do not fall causing damage to nearby property.

Larger trees also require more time to clean up and may require more than one vehicle to haul away the trunk and any debris. Small trees almost always require less time to remove and are typically less hazardous.

Tree Condition

The condition of the tree being removed can impact the amount we charge for tree removal in Muskegon. Removing a tree with a pest infestation, disease, or fungus can require increased preparation to avoid spreading the problem to other trees.

We may also need to clean up the debris and remove the roots of the affected tree to prevent the spread. If the problem has already spread to surrounding trees, nearby trees will likely need to be treated.

Standing trees will also always cost more to remove than fallen trees. They take more time for our crews to remove, and since they haven’t fallen, we need to make sure they do not fall in an unintended direction when they are being removed. Fallen trees typically only need to be hauled away, unless they fall on a home or vehicle and cause damage.

Tree Removal Location

The location of the tree can have a major impact on our tree removal costs in Muskegon. Some locations require increased precautions to ensure the safety of nearby people and property. For instance, a tree that is near a power line will require significant safety precautions to ensure it doesn’t damage the power lines.

A tree near a home or parked vehicles can also require increased precautions. Removing a tree in a location with large volumes of traffic, pedestrians, or children playing nearby can also require greater preparation to ensure the safety of passersby.