Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Warren?
- 2 Does the City of Warren Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Warren?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Warren?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Warren?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines In Warren?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Warren?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Warren?
One of the best things about Warren, MI, is the warm summer weather we get to enjoy every year — it’s neither too hot, wet, nor dry. The comfortable weather makes it great for walking the trails at Red Oaks Nature Center, having picnics at the City of Warren Halmich Park, and checking on the polar bears and seals at the Arctic Ring of Life.
On the other hand, winters here in Warren can be brutal and aren’t quite as comfortable, hitting below freezing most of the season. This kind of climate isn’t fit for just anybody and the same can be said for our landscapes. There are plenty of trees that would die of shock come winter if planted in Michigan. Fortunately, there are also plenty of native trees you can plant in your landscapes that are well-suited for the area too like White Oak, Bur Oak, Black Gum, Common Paw Paw, and of course, our state tree — the Eastern White Pine.
With that being said, all trees are susceptible to tree issues like bacteria, fungi, and pests. This is because where there is an abundance of trees, there will also be an abundance of diseases and pests to thrive off it. The best we can do for our trees is get educated on the topic, prevent when possible, and treat or remove infected trees when needed. The most common to Warren, MI, include the following.
Oak Wilt
Oak wilt is a fungal disease that is well known for taking some of the strongest trees in our landscapes, as well as much of the United States. It does not have a cure, so it will die, and we will have to remove it to save your other trees. Early detection is still important because we can get rid of the problem tree before it infects surrounding trees and even treat the rest of your landscape to prevent the spread.
Signs and symptoms of oak wilt can include leaf discoloration and curling, wilting, premature falling, dead crowns, suckering at the base of your tree, and of course — its death. In most cases, your tree will die in a matter of weeks, but since White Oaks and Bur Oaks aren’t as susceptible as other oak species, they can go as long as months or years.
In fact, oak wilt is such a problem in Michigan that starting 2021, May has been proclaimed as Oak Wilt Awareness Month in the state by Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan. According to the Michigan Oak Wilt Coalition, the greatest risk for this tree disease is between April 15 and July 15, with a lower risk between March 15 and April 14 and between July 16 and October 31. The safest period, however, is between November 1 and March 14.
Hungry Pests in Michigan
Every state has its own host of hungry pests feeding and damaging their beloved trees, and Michigan is no different. The problem with these pests is they either spread diseases from tree to tree or burrow and feed on them to the point of extreme vulnerability to common diseases that can be fatal. Treatment depends on the infestation problem and its scale but often consists of spraying insecticides or using horticultural oil for pest control.
According to APHIS, Michigan residents should keep a lookout for the European Gypsy Moth that feeds on trees and shrubs because it is currently under federal quarantine. Otherwise, the following pests are suitable to the environment as well:
- Asian Gypsy Moth
- Asian Longhorned Beetle
- Emerald Ash Borer Beetle
- European Cherry Fruit Fly
- European Grapevine Moth
- Khapra Beetle
- Spotted Lanternfly
Does the City of Warren Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The City of Warren does not provide any tree removal assistance to private property owners as they are expected to address tree issues with a licensed professional like Tree Triage at their own expense. However, the City of Warren is responsible for public trees (right-of-ways, alleys, parks, etc.) and does not permit residents to alter them in any way without permission.
With that being said, the Warren, MI, Code of Ordinance states that “no person, except the city, shall plant, remove or destroy any ornamental shade tree or shrub in any public way without first procuring a permit from the director of parks and recreation.” Failure to do so can result in fines, costs, hearings, and order for “corrective action,” but shall not result in a penalty of incarceration and/or a civil fine in excess of ten thousand dollars.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Warren?
It is often a hassle figuring out who is responsible for fallen tree removal in Warren, but it doesn’t have to be. To help with these times, we have broken down who is responsible for what in a given situation where a tree has fallen and needs to be removed in Warren.
If you’re a homeowner?
If you’re a homeowner and a tree has fallen from your property onto your property, it is inherently your responsibility to remove the tree and shell out the expenses for any damages or injuries. A scenario that would modify this is if the tree was healthy and fell onto multiple properties. In this case, you would be responsible for the portion up to your property line, and other property owners would be responsible for the portion up to their property lines. This includes the city if the tree makes its way onto public property.
If you’re a renter?
If you’re a renter, you can relax because the responsibility of tree removal in Warren is not put on your shoulders. Instead, it is your landlord’s job to take of it. However, we suggest that you keep in contact with your landlord on any questions or concerns associated with the property’s trees since you likely see them more often. This will reduce the risks and prevent many trees from falling in the first place.
If you’re a landlord?
Much like a homeowner, landlords have the same tree responsibilities, including their removal after falling. This is because the property is yours (only rented to tenants), so the big expenses of the betterment of that property are yours as well. However, you do have the added responsibility of your renter’s safety and wellbeing, so it is strongly recommended that landlords keep up with regular tree maintenance, care, and removals.
If you’re a neighbor?
Who is responsible for tree removal in Warren depends on the health of the tree that fell. For instance, if a healthy tree fell onto your property from your neighbor’s property, then it is still your responsibility to remove it. On the other hand, if the tree was dead or dying, then it is your neighbor’s responsibility to remove the tree from your property.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Warren?
Soil is arguably the most important component of tree health and livelihood. It is what provides your tree the water and nutrients it needs to grow, thrive, and recover from weakness/damages. It is also where your tree is rooted, so it affects your trees first-hand. The type of soil in your area is what determines what trees are native and common in Warren.
For Warren, the Michigan state soil is Kalkaska Sand, which Soil Series describes as consisting of “very deep, somewhat excessively drained soils” and is particularly favored by trees like “sugar maple, American beech, red pine, quaking aspen, bigtooth aspen, and eastern white pine.” This means that our soil is less vulnerable to runoff than most and is more vulnerable to oversaturation.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Warren?
Weather plays a very important role in the health of your trees in Warren. This is because no matter how well-accustomed to the climate our native trees are, there is always the potential of extremes to damage or kill them. This could be in the form of heavy rain that takes down leaves and branches or natural disasters that pull it out of the ground.
According to the State of Michigan, residents should be aware of the potential for natural disasters like earthquakes, extreme heat, floods, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, wildfires, and even winter weather storms. All of these hazards could harm the health of our trees, no matter how strong they are.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines In Warren?
It cannot be stressed enough how important it is for residents in Warren to avoid taking care of any problems near power lines, including dead trees that are near one. This is because the job can be extremely hazardous to the resident and can cause major outages in the area.
For this reason, Consumer Energy offers Trees and Power Lines information for residents to learn more about the topic and stay safe. They also offer information on their tree trimming process, what you can expect when they trim your trees, how to contact them with any questions or concerns about trees near power lines, the different ways to manage vegetation, and other FAQs.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Warren?
On average, residents in Warren, MI, pay between $200 and $1,900. However, you should note that this number can still change substantially for you given the results of the following cost factors.
The Height and Position of Your Tree
The height of your tree can change your final costs by a lot if it’s significantly higher than 30 feet or even significantly lower. This is because a much taller tree will require more of our crew members, time, and equipment to complete over a smaller tree. You should also consider the tree’s position as one that is still standing can cost as much as double the price of one that has already fallen over because most of the job is already done.
Land and Lot Clearing
Additional services are another cost factor that is important to consider. This is because a service like land and lot clearing is commonly requested because our professionals take the hassle out of clearing your property of yard waste following a storm or lack of maintenance and disposing of it according to local laws and regulations — a job that’s typically left to the homeowners to take care of. But on the other hand, it is also pretty pricey, usually costing more than a thousand or more depending on lot size and other factors.
Complications
If anything makes removal more challenging or dangerous for our team, you can expect higher costs. These challenges often include sloped ground, minimal access, a sick or dead tree, and a tree located near a home or other property.
