AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Plymouth, MN

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Plymouth?

There are many types of problems we see with the trees in this area. Some include insects, and others involve a fungi infestation of some sort. One of the most common issues we come across is the Verticillium Wilt. This fungal problem occurs in many Midwestern states, but it tends to attack the Catalpa, Maple, and Ash trees the most in Minnesota. The signs most often seen with this disease are curling leaves, dieback, and drying of the branches and limbs. The tree gets the disease from the soil, so if you remove a dead one, you’ll need to find a replacement resistant to Verticillium Wilt. 

When it comes to an insect infestation, the Two-Lined Chestnut Borer is one we’ve had to deal with. They can do quite a bit of damage to an oak tree, especially a red oak one. But they only attack those weakened from other problems, like stress from drought or defoliation. Infestation signs will appear around mid-July when you start noticing discoloration of the foliage and dieback of the branches. The leaves on the tree will turn reddish-brown, and some of them will wilt. Often, the signs aren’t noticed until August or September, when the attack is done for the year. 

The worst insect infestation in this area that plagues ash trees is the Emerald Ash Borer. This insect destroys the tree from the inside out and can kill it within two to three years if left unchecked. To know if your Ash tree has an infestation, one of the first signs to look for is yellowing and thinning leaves and D-shaped holes in the tree’s bark. Treatments can be applied, but they should be done as early as possible to avoid losing the Ash. 

There are many issues that trees in this area can contract, but most can be treated or avoided. However, in some cases, the tree is too far gone to save and should be removed entirely, but some diseased trees will need extra precautions to prevent spreading the disease to other healthy trees nearby. 

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

The City of Plymouth takes pride in its trees by maintaining a healthy population of all varieties that thrive in the soil. They trim the branches of the ones owned by the City and remove the diseased or dying ones, and pose a threat to the other trees close by. They even encourage tree growth with residents of the City through the annual tree sale offered every May. 

However, when it comes to trees located on homeowner’s lots, they don’t help with trimming or removal. Those will be your responsibility for keeping maintained. However, if you notice an Emerald Ash Borer infestation on your lot, you can contact the City, and they will help you find a low-cost replacement for your yard. Also, if one or more of your trees are infested and not taken care of, the City may step in to remove the tree for you to prevent further damage from the insects or fungal disease. 

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Plymouth?

In the Twin Cities area, April is considered the windiest month of the year. But, we can see some pretty windy days at any time. High wind storms show up now and then, and with it, trees are tossed around. Some lose a few branches, but others lose the whole tree instead. If one falls over, who will be responsible? Let’s take a look at a few different scenarios. 

If You’re a Homeowner?

One of the worst things to experience as a homeowner is a tree falling over onto the house. If it’s your tree that damaged the home, your insurance policy will cover it, depending on what the terms are with it. You would only be responsible for your deductible, assuming you need to pay one. The same goes for any structure on your lot that the tree damages, provided it’s in the policy. 

The only times that insurance wouldn’t cover at least a portion of it is if you didn’t have any current policy on the home at the time of the incident or if it’s determined that the tree fell over due to you neglecting to take care of it. 

If You’re a Renter?

In most cases, the landlord is responsible if a tree falls onto the lot or a building that they own in the yard. Their insurance would more than likely cover the damages to the home or garage. If it falls and doesn’t hit anything but the ground, they still need to take care of it since it is their tree, after all. 

You cannot remove a tree in the yard even if you feel that it could fall over quickly due to a disease or infestation unless you get permission from the landlord to do so. If they don’t allow it and the tree falls, you could try to settle the matter in court, but be prepared to provide proof of the tree’s unhealthy state before it fell over. 

If You’re a Landlord?

If your renter contacts you to let you know that a tree fell over onto the house, you are responsible and should call your insurance agent and get a report started. Depending on your policy’s coverage, the insurance should pay for the damages (minus your deductible) and part or all of the clean-up costs. 

If the tree falls over onto their vehicle and doesn’t damage any of your buildings, you are only responsible for the tree cleanup, not the damages to the car. If it’s a neighbor’s tree that fell on the vehicle, you can discuss cleaning up with them, but some may not be so willing to pay for their fair share. 

If You’re a Neighbor?

Many people think that if a neighbor’s tree hits their house, the neighbor is responsible, but that’s hardly ever the case. If the tree falls onto your home, you would contact your insurance agent and report it. They will cover the cost of the damages to the home caused by the tree. They typically will pay for the removal as well. However, some insurance companies in Minnesota will only cover approximately $500 of the removal. You would then be responsible for the rest of the bill. 

If the tree fell over because the neighbor neglected to take care of a diseased tree and it hit your home, the neighbor may end up being responsible. Your homeowner’s insurance would investigate the situation, and they would decide if the neighbor would need to reimburse the costs. If the tree didn’t hit any structure and just fell onto the yard, you might be able to negotiate a sharing of the removal costs. Be careful not to stir up a pot of trouble, though. 

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Plymouth?

One of the worst problems with the soil in this area is a nuisance plant called the Buckthorn. It’s a superficially rooted vine-like plant that replaces many more soil benefiting plants and foliage that helps trees here thrive. Soil erosion would usually be prevented with the nutrient-rich vegetation, but with the Buckthorn, there is no protection since it tends to spread and kill off the other plants. 

Usually, the dense clay soil here is perfect for plant and tree life. Clay tends to bind water and nutrients in the dirt together in large quantities. Roots of plants and trees have a constant source of everything it needs. However, on occasion, the denseness of the clay can prove harmful because it can bind water and the nutrients so tightly that the roots of the tree can’t absorb any of it, thereby drying it out. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Plymouth?

Let’s face it; this is Minnesota, and winters here can be brutal on anything, including trees. With below-zero temperatures, blizzard conditions, ice storms, and high winds, winters are one of our tree’s biggest enemies. Heavy snow from one of our blizzards and layers of ice brings more weight to the trees than they’re designed to handle. The extra pounds put more strain on the branches, which ultimately break off. High winds also cause many branches and even some whole trees to fall, causing issues with homes and electrical power lines. 

While trees in this area have a built-in defense against cold weather, it only helps to a point. Winters here can get as low as -25 degrees. Long-term exposure to bitter cold temperatures will cause damage to the tree. Fluctuating temperatures are also an issue when you go from warm to really cold quickly, causing frost cracking. 

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Plymouth?

Typically, electrical companies like our Xcelenergy handle tree trimming near power lines, regardless of who owns the tree. If a tree is dead and determined to be a hazard, the electrical department will carefully remove the tree. However, they won’t grind the branches or haul away the wood obtained from the removal process. The homeowner will need to call us to take care of that. If the tree is on city property, though, they will take care of removal and clean up as well. 

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Plymouth?

Prices for tree removal and trimming services vary greatly. There are a ton of factors that can go into pricing your particular project. On average, you might get by paying $100 to $1,700 for straightforward projects. Let’s look at a few factors that can cause the prices to go up. 

What You Plan to Do With the Wood From the Tree

Most people choose to have a tree trimming company, like us, take care of removing the tree. When we do the clean-up, you may also want chipping or log splitting, which would cost a bit extra. 

Emergency Service

If the job is an emergency, you can expect to pay a bit more for tree removal. Depending on the specifics of the project, it could cost you approximately $100 more and up. 

Stump Removal

Many people choose to have a tree removed, but they want the stump left behind. Others choose to have the stump removed as well, but it could cost you an extra $100 to $200, depending on the size. 

The trees here, in Plymouth, are essential to our environment, and we want to keep them strong and healthy for a long time. But, on occasion, branch trimming and tree removal will be necessary, so hiring a professional company like us will help keep the integrity of our city’s rich history.