Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Troy?
- 2 Does the City of Troy Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Troy?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Troy?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Troy?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Troy?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Troy?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Troy?
Troy is located at the heart of Metropolitan Detroit’s northern suburbs and is the largest city in Oakland County. Although the city is a leading shopping and business destination with premier office centers and the upscale shopping mall — Somerset Collection, it is best known for its diverse and vibrant international community, strong neighborhoods, top-ranked schools, and beautiful foliage that genuinely brings the area to life.
That is why it is not surprising that Troy residents will often do everything they can to ensure that their plants, trees, and other vegetation remain thriving all year round. However, before preventative action can be taken, homeowners in the city must learn more about some common tree diseases the area often has to deal with.
Oak Wilt
Oak wilt is a tree disease caused by fungus eating away at the tree from the inside. Even though this invading fungus can affect both white and red oak trees, it can mean grave consequences for all types of oak trees. That is why the disease should not be taken lightly, especially since it can kill oak trees rather quickly following infection.
Some of the more common symptoms of oak wilt that homeowners should watch out for include trees suddenly beginning to wilt or leaves dropping rapidly.
Tree Rust
Tree rust disease is extremely unique as it develops from a family of fungus that has thousands of members. Generally, the infection will spread gradually, starting on the leaves and creating an unsightly orangish appearance. However, when homeowners notice this condition, they need to act quickly and use a treatment plan that can not only protect the tree from getting worse but also help stop the spread of the disease.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a fungal disease that is a deadly threat to the trees in the area. It typically attacks deciduous trees, which include ash, maple, oak, sycamore, and birch trees, causing symptoms that include spotted leaves that have brown, curled edges, which often drop prematurely. Since anthracnose is quite prevalent in moist and cool climates, Troy is an ideal location for this fungus to spread.
Does the City of Troy Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The city of Troy takes great pride in its trees and will do everything it can to ensure that its vegetation is protected so that it can continue to generate “human services” to the community. As a result, the city is in charge of numerous tree maintenance activities, including:
- Maintaining trees between sidewalks and curbs
- Maintaining trees in public parks
- Maintaining trees on residential street islands
- Maintaining trees on all mile roads in Troy
For these reasons, if you have a problem with a tree located on city property, it is important to reach out to Troy’s facility and grounds department for further information.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Troy?
In Troy, homeowners are held accountable for taking care of their plants, flowers, and private trees. However, this does not mean that a homeowner is automatically responsible for the damages that ensue if their tree falls onto their neighbor’s property. In truth, liability will often depend on the circumstances of the situation.
If You’re a Homeowner?
If a tree falls because of natural causes in Troy, the homeowner of the place where the tree has fallen is often held liable for removing the tree. However, it is also important to point out that homeowners are required to care for their trees so that they do not cause damage to another person’s property. This means that if a tree shows signs of weakness or instability, the homeowner needs to make corrections to the tree within a reasonable period. If they do not and the tree falls, they can be held liable for the costs associated with the fallen tree.
If You’re a Renter?
Generally, a renter and a landlord will enter into a property agreement contract before the renter moves into the house. This contract will spell out specifically how each party will need to take care of the property. However, if issues come up that are not mentioned in the agreement, the landlord will often be responsible for making necessary repairs, while the renter will be in charge of maintaining the premises. Consequently, if a tree falls, it is likely that it will not be the renter’s responsibility but rather the landlords.
If You’re a Landlord?
As mentioned above, the landlord will often be held liable for a fallen tree unless their property agreement indicates otherwise. This means the landlord will usually be on the hook for the expenses associated with removing the fallen tree.
If You’re a Neighbor?
In Michigan, if a property owner knew or should have known their tree was diseased, dead, or in danger of falling over and did not take any reasonable steps to correct the issue, the property owner can be held liable for the damages the tree causes to a neighbor’s property, including costs related to removing the fallen tree.
However, if there were no issues with the tree when it fell onto the neighbor’s property, and it fell because of natural causes, the neighbor will often be responsible for the costs associated with the fallen tree.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Troy?
In Michigan, the soils vary greatly depending on which part of the state you are in. In fact, most of the northern and western parts of the Lower Peninsula are dominated by sandy soils, while the Lower Peninsula, where Troy is located, is made up of mostly loam and clay soils.
These loam soils are great for plant growth because they are made up of clay, sand, and silt, which together can create desirable characteristics for trees and other plants to thrive. In addition, clay soils tend to hold moisture better than sandy soils and can be more fertile. However, it is essential to note that clay soils can swell when they get wet, ultimately causing water movement to become limited in the roots. Plus, when the soil dries, it tends to crack, making it difficult for gardeners to manage the soil. For these reasons, homeowners need to plant tree varieties that can handle these unique soil conditions.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Troy?
Michigan is often classified as having a Humid Continental Climate. This means that the state has distinct winters and summers and a relatively even distribution of precipitation throughout the year. The temperatures often vary from 20 degrees in January to 75 degrees in July, but local temperatures in Troy, for instance, can get much higher or lower. That is why before property owners decide to plant trees in the area, they must choose species that can handle Michigan’s changing weather, such as:
- Maple Trees
- Blackgum Trees
- Hickory Trees
- Oak Trees
- Basswood Trees
- Mountain Ash Trees
- American Elderberry Trees
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Troy?
In Oakland County, most power outages are due to dead trees, down trees, or hanging branches. For these reasons, utility companies such as DTE Energy must implement tree trimming solutions into their program to ensure that outages are prevented from happening in the first place.
To ensure this service is maintained, DTE Energy makes it a point to work year-round to trim hazardous trees and limbs away from power lines. They also use a tree trimming process designed to foster communication and collaboration with customers every step of the way.
Yet, even though DTE Energy has a tree trimming schedule, if you see any trees interfering with your power lines, you must contact the company promptly and speak with a DTE representative about scheduling an evaluation as soon as possible.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Troy?
In Troy, the cost of removing a tree will fall between $175 and $1,980, depending on a variety of factors. The average cost for removal is around $700, but the equipment needed to remove the tree, the height and size of the tree that needs to be removed, and the overall health of the tree can bring that number up or down significantly. However, before homeowners unknowingly spend thousands of dollars on a tree removal project, it would help if they learn more about these different factors so that they can be better prepared to cover the costs of the job.
The Size and Height of the Tree
In Troy, the size of the tree is the number one factor that can significantly influence tree removal costs. For instance, removing a medium-height tree that ranges in height from 30 feet to 60 feet can cost anywhere between $350 to $1,250. In comparison, tall trees that range in size from 60 feet to 80 feet can start at $800 but can also cost Troy residents more than $2,000 to cut down.
The Area Surrounding the Tree and the Tree’s Accessibility
Another factor that you need to be aware of is the tree’s accessibility and the area surrounding the tree. For example, if your tree:
- Is located behind a garden or fence or next to power lines
- Is situated on a small piece of property that is difficult to access
- Is located in an area where it will be challenging to remove the debris from the tree
The cost of removing the tree can increase significantly since these factors can create numerous problems for our specialists.
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 or safety precautions to ensure that injury can be prevented as the tree is being removed. However, if this special care is needed, the job’s overall cost will often go up.
