Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Florissant?
- 2 Does the City of Florissant Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Florissant?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Florissant?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Florissant?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Florissant?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Florissant?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Florissant?
While pests and disease are considered the main tree problems in Florissant, there are a variety of factors that contribute to a tree’s death. Those factors make a tree more susceptible to insects and fungi which can take advantage of the tree’s weakness and move right in. Some of those common factors include:
- Improper planting
- Poor pruning and topping of the tree
- Injuries from lawnmowers and string trimmers
- Weather-related issues
- Changes in the amount of water available
- Pollution
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Soil compaction
The stress that these and other issues can cause opens trees up to the possibility of cankers, root rot, disease, borers, and foliage-eating insects, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Types of Trees and Signs of Disease
The state tree, the Flowering Dogwood, is one of the most common native species of trees in Missouri. Some other common trees in the Florissant area include the Eastern Redbud, Quaking Aspen, Eastern Cottonwood, American Elm, a variety of Ash, Wild Apple, Sweetgum, and various Oaks. Some diseases and pests affect only one family of trees, while others, including Aphids, will feed on almost any tree.
There are a variety of signs of pest infestation and disease. Sometimes, we can visually spot the pests. Other signs of disease include decaying wood, scars and cavities in the trunk and branches, small holes in the wood or the leaves, and leaves that are discoloring not due to the fall season.
A Few Diseases and Pests
Emerald Ash Borer
The ash border specifically invades Ash trees. Signs of this beetle infestation include yellowing and/or thinning of the leaves, bark and canopy loss, and D-shaped holes in the bark. The damage the Emerald Ash Borer can do is severe, often causing death to infected trees.
Gypsy Moths
The Gypsy Moth was introduced to North America in an attempt to breed a hardier silkworm during the mid-19th century. It has played havoc with North American trees ever since. Gypsy Moth caterpillars enjoy more than 300 varieties of trees and shrubs, and quickly defoliate the trees they choose to attack. Other signs of the Gypsy Moth include holes in leaves that remain and an abundance of eggs on tree trunks. These caterpillars leave trees vulnerable to other pests and diseases.
Heart Rot Disease
Heart Rot is a fungal disease affecting mostly hardwoods including Birch, Cedar, Maple, and Dogwood. The name was derived from the fact that the disease causes the center of the trunk to decay, as well as the branches. An obvious visual symptom is the presence of fungal growths, called conks, on the trunk and limbs. While not immediate, in time the disease will kill off a tree.
Sudden Oak Disease
In recent years, Missouri’s Department of Agriculture has found Phytophthora ramorum blight, a water mold pathogen, on Rhododendron grown out of state and transported to local nurseries for resale. The disease affects several horticultural plants as well as trees. It can be fatal to our native oak trees, causing Sudden Oak Disease.
Signs of Sudden Oak Disease include spotting and discoloration of the leaves, twigs dying back, and bark cankers which appear as calluses on the trunk and larger branches. The calluses often seep out a red or black ooze. If you believe you may have an infected plant or tree, you are urged to notify the Missouri Department of Agriculture Plant Pest Control Program.
Does the City of Florissant Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The City of Florissant is responsible for all city trees, including removal if needed. Property owners are responsible for trees on their own property. However, the city does offer help through its Residential Tree Service Program. The program offers up to $3,000 of financial aid for low- to moderate-income homeowners who have a tree that poses a safety concern or potential home damage.
Through the Community Development Department, the program is designed to help in time-sensitive situations and to prevent damage needing costly repairs to homes and infrastructure. Some requirements include:
- The property owner must have lived on the property for two years or more.
- The home must be located within city limits and not in a flood plain.
- The owner can have no pending bankruptcies and must be current on the mortgage.
- There can be no outstanding city, state, or federal tax liens on the address.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Florissant?
At any given time, any tree can fall anywhere in the city. Just who is responsible for the cleanup of the fallen tree is pretty straightforward. As previously mentioned, the city is responsible for all city trees. Beyond that:
If you’re a homeowner?
As the property owner, you are responsible for all trees on your property. If one falls, it is up to you to hire us to clean it up.
If you’re a renter?
A renter has no responsibility as far as having a fallen tree cleaned up. However, as a Florissant renter, you have a responsibility to inform the landlord if you notice any problems with a tree on the property.
If you’re a landlord?
As the property owner, a landlord has the responsibility of all trees on the property. If one falls, it is the landlord’s responsibility to arrange for and have it removed.
If you’re a neighbor?
As a good neighbor, if your tree falls upon your neighbor’s property, it is your responsibility to have it removed. You should coordinate with your neighbor to have the work done at a time convenient for both of you.
If a neighbor’s tree falls onto your property, it is their responsibility to have it cleaned up. Similarly, you should work together to have it removed at a time that works for both of you.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Florissant?
There are a variety of different soils in St. Louis County and in Florissant itself. Some types of soil are better for tree growth because they allow for better rooting systems. Soil that does not drain well or that has become compacted may become depleted in nutrients and block the tree from growing a good, solid root system. The best way to determine the quality of your soil is to have a sample tested by the University of Missouri Extension. There are three drop-off locations in St. Louis. Contact the University extension office for more details.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Florissant?
Those of us who have made Florissant our home are familiar with the local weather. We have hot, muggy summers reaching into the low 90s with high humidity. In the winter, we can dip into the mid-20s and lower. We average 84 inches of snow each year. And we get high winds and tornadoes.
To answer the question, yes, each of these weather conditions can affect the health of a tree and cause extensive damage, especially to those that may already suffer from injury and/or disease, as well as those with shallow root systems.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Florissant?
Even a healthy tree can bring about problems with power lines, causing power outages and dangerous situations. In fact, according to Ameren Missouri, fallen trees and branches are one of the most common causes of a power outage. The electrical company routinely trims tree branches away from its lines and suggests homeowners do the same from the main power source leading to your home. This becomes more urgent if there is a dead tree near the lines, as branches are more likely to fall without warning.
Qualified line-clearance tree companies are the only ones permitted to work within 10 feet of high voltage lines. If you have any questions, you should contact the power company. You should also schedule a temporary disconnection of service during the time you schedule tree removal near power lines. We can schedule the disconnect and handle the trimming for you!
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Florissant?
There are a lot of variables that influence the cost of tree removal. It is a very hazardous and laborious job. Specialized skills and training are necessary for all of our experts to get the job done correctly, along with some pretty expensive equipment to maintain.
On average, the cost of tree removal in Florissant is approximately $600. A small tree could cost less; a tall tree could run quite a bit more. Some things that impact the cost include:
Size and Location of Tree
To bring down a tall tree, a bucket lift is needed, adding to equipment costs. But, if the tree is in a hard-to-reach area, then our climbers on ropes will need to work without a bucket, which can cost even more. The sheer size of the tree will also dictate a longer period of time to trim branches and the trunk. Trees that have grown into fencing or other structures are more difficult to remove. This, too, will drive the price up.
The Health of the Tree
Most of the time a healthy tree is easier to manage and safer to remove than a dead tree. More care is needed in climbing around a damaged, diseased, or dead tree making it a longer process than working on a healthy tree that our arborists can move around on more easily.
The Season
Most people opt to have a tree removed in the summer or fall. Because of that, the demand for tree removal is less in winter and spring. We often offer reduced rates during this time to ensure steady business and continued work for our employees.
