Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Duluth?
- 2 Does the City of Duluth Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Duluth?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Duluth?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Duluth?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Duluth?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Duluth?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Duluth?
Minnesota is home to a few beautiful native trees that are lovely to see when you are out and about. It is helpful to know which trees you have in your yard so you can identify any potential problems specific to these trees.
- Ash Tree: The branches and leaves are directly across from each other instead of staggered, and leaf compounds are composed of 5-11 leaflets.
- Elm Tree: The trunk of an elm tree is a branching trunk. There is a main trunk with two or more trunks branching out. The leaves are oval-shaped with a point at the end, prominent veins, and jagged edges. The leaves are also staggered along the stem.
- Birch Tree: You can identify a birch tree by its bark. The bark looks like peeling paper. Also, the leaves have jagged edges and alternate on the stem.
- Oak Tree: The acorns are the easiest way to identify an oak tree. The leaves are generally symmetrical with a prominent center line and lobes.
- Maple Tree: The maple tree is technically an invasive species while the above trees are native. However, maple trees are not considered a threat. You can identify a maple tree by its opposite leaf arrangement with prominent lobes. There are three to nine veins that each lead to a lobe with one being central.
Sadly, with these beautiful trees comes some problems, too. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive wood-boring beetle that specifically attacks ash trees. This beetle is responsible for rapidly killing tens of millions of ash trees and is considered the most destructive forest pest in North America. The Gypsy Moth came to the US via Europe, and it feeds on hardwood trees, especially oak and aspen.
Invasive species can be a big problem. These non-native and hostile animals and plants don’t have natural predators in the area and can grow uncontested. This rapid growth can choke out natural vegetation. This will alter the habitats of local plants and animals and create monocultures. Getting rid of invasive species has cost the United States, as a whole, upwards of $120 billion annually in damages. That’s why Duluth, MN has created Duluth Invaders, a local initiative of volunteers to help control and remove invasive plants, such as Exotic Honeysuckle, Japanese Knotweed, and Garlic Mustard, in the area and restore land damaged by these species.
Does the City of Duluth Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Trees on the boulevards of Duluth are cared for by the Forestry Department. They are responsible for planting, maintaining, and removing the over 12,000 boulevard trees, as well as the park trees. These boulevard trees are very important to the infrastructure of Duluth by reducing pollution, providing wildlife habitats, decreasing stormwater runoff, reducing home energy costs, and stabilizing soils.
While the Forestry Department of Duluth does a lot to protect the boulevard and parkland trees, their responsibility does not cover trees on private property.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Duluth?
If you’re a homeowner?
It is the responsibility of the owner of the property where a tree falls to repair any damage and remove the tree. That sounds easy enough. It is only easy when the tree falls solely on your property, home, or car. What happens if the tree falls partly on your property and partly on your neighbor’s property? That’s when it can get tricky for financial reasons and relational reasons. In most cases, individual property owners are responsible for damages to their own properties due to forces outside of anyone’s control (ex. weather events). Each property owner in question should file a claim with their homeowner’s insurance for reimbursement for any damages. However, the exception is if the tree damage is because of neglect on your part. This can include dead limbs you never trimmed or not removing diseased and weakened trees.
If you’re a renter?
Since you are the renter and not the owner of the property where a tree has fallen, it is not your responsibility to remove the tree. Tree removal falls to the owner of the property. That being said, be sure you have the right kind of coverage in your rental insurance to protect your private property. It would be good practice to keep your eyes open for any potential hazards from the trees on the property you are renting so you can inform the landlord of any problems. This can save a lot of money and hassle for you both.
If you’re a landlord?
The responsibility of removal, trimming, pruning, maintenance of any trees or shrubs, and general landscaping in the Duluth area falls to the owner of the property. That means it is the responsibility of the landlord to get it done. If you own more than one property, the responsibility is still yours on all of your properties. The owner of the property will also need to address any damages to the private property of the tenants. Make sure to check your insurance coverage for when a disaster occurs.
If you’re a neighbor?
Nothing can destroy a good neighborly relationship quite like a tree dispute. Long story short, if the tree is on your property, it is your responsibility to remove it. The City of Duluth does not arbitrate in tree disputes between neighbors or other civil disputes.
If you find yourself in an unfortunate tree dispute with your neighbor, be sure to educate yourself on what steps need to be taken to resolve the problem well. This article from Newsday covers everything you need to know, from what insurance will cover to how to talk with contractors. The most important thing is to keep lines of communication open with your neighbor. Don’t let a tree ruin your long-standing relationship.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Duluth?
Any shorelines along lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands can be susceptible to erosion. This can be due to excessive stormwater flows, waves, and other issues. Erosion of the soil is definitely a risk to trees in Duluth. There are resources to help reduce this erosion and restore the shorelines.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Duluth?
The weather trends in Duluth can be quite intense for trees. The average temperatures can range from well below-freezing and upwards to just above 80 degrees. With the temperatures getting so low at times, trees can quickly freeze from the roots. This can cause the nutrient transport to be inhibited to the rest of the tree. This makes for weaker trees that could be at a greater risk of falling. Also, the intense winters can also bring a decent amount of ice which can weigh down tree limbs, causing them to fall and potentially severely damage property. Be sure to keep your trees trimmed well to minimize the limbs from falling during ice storms.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Duluth?
The problem with dead trees goes well beyond being unsightly and pest-ridden. Dead trees can be potential hazards, especially increasing the risk for fire. What happens when a dead tree falls near electrical lines? First, this scenario is particularly dangerous and requires a professional to safely solve the problem. The electrical company will want to be closely involved with the removal process. The electrical company may cut down the tree, trim the branches, or remove any hazard to the electrical service. The electrical company, however, will not clean up any debris left behind. Cleaning up is the responsibility of the owner.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Duluth?
Unfortunately, tree removal is not cheap. You can get lucky with the total cost coming out less than the original estimate. Don’t expect that to happen, though. It could very well come out more than was anticipated. If you live in or near the Duluth area of Minnesota, you can expect to spend between $500 – $2,000. And depending on other factors, it could go upwards of $3,000. There are three main factors that will affect how much tree removal will cost on your property:
Type of Tree
Trees vary in how easy or difficult it is to remove them. The more difficult it is to remove, the more it is going to cost. Oak, which is native to Duluth, is one of the strongest and toughest woods to work with. Oak is such a solid and thick wood and the work involved to remove it will put you on the higher end of the cost range. Be sure you know for sure you want that oak removed, because it’s going to be expensive.
Location
The location of the tree that needs to be removed can have a significant impact on your overall cost. Trees that have already fallen on your property are much easier for our team to remove than trees that need to be cut down. If your tree is in a neighborhood, near power lines, or in a difficult-to-access area than in a more open area it will cost more money to remove. The easier the job, the less time it will take and the less money it will cost you.
Size
As mentioned above, the average-sized tree will cost between $500 and $2,000 to remove from your property in Duluth. Tall pines and larger oaks can cost upwards of $3,000 to remove. Larger trees naturally require more attention and time to safely and cleanly remove them. Larger jobs may require more equipment, such as a bucket truck or crane, and maybe even special permits in order to get the removal correctly done.
