AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN South Lyon, MI

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in South Lyon?

Forest land accounts for 55% of Michigan’s total land area. The trees in the state provide valuable resources for industries like maple syrup, timber, and furniture. In South Lyon, trees are a symbol of livelihood and a healthy environment for residents and native wildlife to thrive. As such a valuable resource to the area, tree health is the responsibility of local landowners and city officials. However, this doesn’t mean that trees in South Lyon are free of threats. These are the most common tree issues in South Lyon that may require our tree removal services.

Insects

There are many species of native insects that live in trees and cause no damage to local forests. Unfortunately, there are also insect species that reproduce rapidly and feed on trees. Insect infestations in trees can lead to defoliation, declining health, and even premature tree death. These are the most common insects that threaten the health of trees in South Lyon.

• Emerald Ash Borer: This invasive beetle attacks all types of ash trees and has destroyed over 40 million ash trees in Michigan alone. The larvae bore into the bark of the tree and feed on the pulp just beneath the bark. Trees usually die within 1 to 4 years of infestation.
  
• Bagworm: These moths reproduce quickly and can defoliate entire trees in the summer when caterpillars feed on leaves. Denied the protection and nutrients provided by the canopy, even large trees can die due to a bagworm infestation.
  
• Gypsy Moth: Like bagworms, gypsy moth caterpillars feed on leaf tissue. Gypsy moths prefer oak trees and can cause severe damage to young trees. While trees can recover, a tree that loses over 50% of its leaves more than two years in a row, it’s less likely to survive.

Diseases

Tree diseases come from a variety of sources and often spread quickly throughout a species. While some diseases don’t usually kill trees, forests already suffering from other stressors like drought or pollution are more likely to succumb to tree diseases. These are some of the diseases that affect trees in South Lyon.

• Oak Wilt
• Thousand Cankers
• Heterobasdion Disease
• White Pine Blister Rust
• Beech Bark Disease

Urban Spread

Population growth in South Lyon enriches the community in many ways. However, the increased population comes with additional homes, streets, parking lots, and sidewalks. The growth of urban areas where agricultural and forestland previously existed has a big impact on tree health in a variety of ways. For instance, the construction of sidewalks, streets, and buildings often compact the soil surrounding the roots of nearby trees. This compaction process limits nutrients and airflow that nourish trees. Urban heat and pollution also cause declining tree health. While trees work to eliminate these issues in cities, it’s more difficult for trees to thrive in urban areas. Without the proper care, these trees are more likely to experience a shorter lifespan.

Limited Supervision

While trees in forests often seem to thrive, lack of maintenance and professional observation can lead to damaged trees, pest infestations, and diseases that can wipe out entire tree species. Michigan’s private forests make up much of the state and provide a valuable source of supplies for vital industries, but only 20% of these non-industrial private forest lands are being actively managed. When tree decline goes unnoticed on these properties, surrounding trees can become subject to diseases and pests that threaten tree mortality for an entire species.

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

The South Lyon Department of Public Works is responsible for the maintenance of the city’s parks, roads, and trees. These teams take care of routine maintenance of public trees and the removal of hazardous or fallen trees owned by the city. However, the city does not assist in the removal of trees on private property.

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in South Lyon?

While roadways and public trees are cared for by the forestry divisions and road crews of South Lyon and Oakland County, determining the responsibilities surrounding trees on private property can be more confusing. Local ordinances created by South Lyon help to eliminate confusion about who is responsible for the damage and debris when trees fall.

If you’re a homeowner?

As a property owner in South Lyon, you’re responsible for maintaining the trees on your landscape in a way that keeps everyone safe. Homeowners are required to keep trees trimmed away from sidewalks and ensure that private trees don’t limit visibility on roadways. You’re also required to remove all dead, diseased, or dangerous trees, or broken or decayed limbs that constitute a menace to the safety of the public. This means it’s the responsibility of homeowners to remove trees that fall on their property.

If you’re a renter?

As a renter, you’re not the owner of the property where you reside or the trees. While you may have some responsibilities regarding the general upkeep of your yard, you’re not responsible for tree removal. If a tree falls on the property you’re renting, contact your landlord to discuss any damages that occurred and the removal of debris.

If you’re a landlord?

In South Lyon, many landlords are the owner of the property being rented out to tenants. This means you’re responsible for the removal of fallen trees on your rental property. It’s the responsibility of all landlords to provide a safe dwelling for tenants. This means that hazardous trees, as well as debris from fallen limbs and trees, should be addressed immediately.

If you’re a neighbor?

If your neighbor’s tree falls on your property, the responsibility of removal depends on the health of the tree before it fell. It’s your neighbor’s responsibility to maintain healthy trees. If the tree in question was diseased or damaged before falling, and your neighbor’s negligence contributed to the damage, they may be responsible for removal. However, if the tree was healthy and fell because of natural causes, removal is your responsibility.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in South Lyon?

Soil provides trees with nutrients, oxygen, and hydration. The soil in South Lyon has both positive and negative effects on trees. The Kalkaska soils found in Michigan range from well-drained to clay-like soils. While some soils in Michigan are excessively well-drained and can lead to issues with drought-related tree stress, soil in Oakland has a higher fraction of clay deposits. The presence of more clay-like soil makes it more difficult for tree roots to access oxygen and nutrients. Additionally, in periods of heavy precipitation, limited drainage can lead to the growth of fungus or root rot.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in South Lyon?

The climate in South Lyon typically brings mild summers and cold winters. While rainfall in the area is around average, South Lyon residents experience heavy snow in the winter. Harsh winter weather can be dangerous to trees. Heavy snowfall and ice accumulation can break heavy branches and split tree trunks. Winter freezes also make it difficult for trees to get adequate hydration during the driest months of the year. Severe storms and high winds in South Lyon also cause tree damage. Many trees in the area already impacted by other threats like invasive insects fall during periods of severe weather.

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in South Lyon?

DTE Energy maintains trees near power lines in South Lyon. While teams make every effort to ensure that local trees don’t impact power lines, severe weather and other threats can mean that trees sometimes fall on live power lines. If you encounter a tree that has already fallen on a power line, stay at least 20 feet away and call DTE’s emergency hotline. To report a potentially hazardous tree located near power lines, you can use the company’s mobile app or contact DTE directly.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in South Lyon?

Depending on the types of services you need for your tree removal in South Lyon, the costs can vary. Typically, the cost of tree removal falls in South Lyon falls between $170 and $1,800, with an average cost of around $680. The reasons for increased prices can depend on the size of your tree or its condition. Complex jobs require more time to be completed properly and can raise the price as well. These are the most common cost factors that may increase the price for our tree removal services in South Lyon.

Fragile Tree Structure

Trees damaged by storms or insect infestations often leave standing tree skeletons that can be extremely hazardous to people in the area. Trees that aren’t structurally sound can break during removal and cause serious injury or death. The safety of property owners and our team is our number one priority. That’s why we invest in the tools we need to complete all types of tree removal jobs safely. Trees with damaged or weak structures may cost more for removal due to the safety concerns and additional equipment required for removal.

Hazardous Conditions

In a city that sees many inches of snowfall each year, residents of South Lyon are no strangers to hazardous conditions. Unfortunately, these conditions often mean trees must be removed as soon as possible. It’s our goal to keep all residents in the community safe, and this means we often have to conduct tree removal services during inclement weather. Since these removals may require additional tools and team members to perform the service safely, your removal cost will increase.

Location

If your tree is difficult to access, near your property line, or close to homes or other buildings, removal is possible, but it can be complicated. Our team may need specialized equipment and a process that takes longer to complete. For instance, it’s sometimes necessary to remove branches or the top canopy of a tree before cutting the trunk to avoid damaging nearby structures. These types of removals are completed by our tree experts in as many steps as necessary, which can lead to a longer project at higher costs.