Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Kansas City?
- 2 Does the City of Kansas City Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Kansas City?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Kansas City?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Kansas City?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Kansas City?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Kansas City?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Kansas City?
While the environment can be conducive for the vegetation, it can also cause many issues for trees in Kansas City. These include:
Diseases
Trees in Kansas City are affected by the fungal disease anthracnose. This causes significant spotting on the leaves and repeated death of young shoots. Notably, the weather in the city is also conducive to the development of powdery mildew. As a result, the deciduous trees in the area are weakened and susceptible to injury. As part of the consultation, we look for the presence of rust-colored spots on the leaves. For instance, cedar apple rust has been found to significantly damage the trees we remove. Finally, the indigenous trees in the area are periodically colonized by wilt pathogens.
Pests
The emerald ash borers are jewel beetles that burrow through the trunk, cutting off the supply of nutrients and water. Trees with stripped-off barks are an indication of heavy infestation of the borer. Additionally, these beetles are responsible for the premature shedding of leaves. On the other hand, the adult European elm flea weevil feeds on the leaf underside, further compromising the tree’s integrity. In the summer, caterpillars and grasshoppers destroy present foliage.
Abiotic Stresses
Trees in Kansas City are susceptible to environmental and site-specific stresses. These conditions include unfavorable climatic conditions, soil fertility issues, and mechanical trauma. Specifically, these plants cannot maintain necessary plant metabolism due to general drought stress, environmental scorch due to dry, windy weather, and low-temperature damage during winter. Additionally, we have found sunscalds and frost cracks on the backs of young trees in the area. During construction and excavation, we see a lot of root breakage and removal. Trees we remove are the type that has incurred significant damage and are therefore susceptible to soil-borne diseases. Overall, significant abiotic stress causes the death of most of the trees we remove.
Does the City of Kansas City Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Kansas City recognizes the need for prompt assistance in the event of a tree removal problem. In response to the city’s need for natural resource management, there is a Forestry Division in the Department of Parks and Recreation. They strengthen the current code and enforcement in the city, ensuring residences comply with regulations. Additionally, the division updates inventory and management plans of the public trees in the area. This is part of the city’s forest management program that helps keep the data on healthy trees and those that require removal.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Kansas City?
Responsibility can be a fickle thing. This is especially true when the cost of removal of tree debris is involved. How then do you handle fallen tree removal in Kansas City? Let us help:
If you’re a homeowner?
As a homeowner, few things are more inconvenient than tree removal problems within your property. Once the tree falls, you are expected to contact your insurance company to file a claim for the damages. After that, you can call on our specialists in Kansas City for its removal. While the home insurance will handle the damages to your home, you might have to pay out of pocket to remove the debris.
If you’re a renter?
Current renters want a blooming, robust urban forest. However, this comes with the risk of damage to fences, roofs, and patios due to fallen trees. Once a tree falls within your rental property, it is advisable to report it to your landlord. You should never take on the removal, especially when you cannot ascertain the damage. We advise that you file a complaint with the consumer affairs within the city if the landlord does not embark on the removal of the fallen tree in a timely fashion.
If you’re a landlord?
As a landlord, you are responsible for the trees within your property. You are expected to regularly maintain them and check that they are not vulnerable. Note that if the tree within your compound causes damage to another individual’s property, and negligence can be proven, you are liable for the damages. We help you with the immediate removal and trimming of trees that hang over from your side of the property line.
If you’re a neighbor?
A neighborhood that has a mature landscape is desirable to most individuals. Confusion arises when a tree or a dead limb falls into your compound. Further displeasure occurs when your neighbor’s tree spills fruits and leaves into your yard. When the debris or sections of a dead tree fall into your yard, you are responsible for its cleanup. However, there are unique circumstances when the neighbor responsible should take care of removing the fallen tree.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Kansas City?
As part of our due diligence, we recognize that the heavy clay soil in Kansas City can be impossible for gardening. Soils in many areas of Kansas City have a high pH and are iron deficient. This is presented as stunted growth in most of the plants we are called to remove. In sections of the city where extensive construction has been done, the soil is usually compacted, thus impeding tree health. Further, due to the soil profile, the soil undergoes swelling due to the filling of air pockets after rainstorms. This results in significant cracks in the soil, which threaten the tree’s integrity and its roots. Finally, the dropping soil temperatures adversely affect the health of roots during winter, leading to off-cast coloration. We recommend adding soil amendments based on the result of the soil test conducted in your area. We encourage the amending of Kansas City soils with nitrogen-rich formulations to boost soil health. An additional landscaping tip would be to ensure soil moisture as heat increases evaporation during summer.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Kansas City?
Kansas City experiences a tropical climate that supports the growth of a range of trees. Still, the area is marred with weather phenomena that cause the death of trees. For instance, the city experiences severe winter weather. Snowy conditions range from drifting snow to full-on blizzards. Additionally, the damaging accumulation of the ice adversely affects the trees in the area. We mostly experience a surge in calls for our tree removal in Kansas City following winter storms. These cause strong winds that result in massive debris on the streets, hindering both people and traffic. Overall, the city sees a seasonal pattern in its weather that exposes trees to hot and cold stresses.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Kansas City?
Due to litigation and consequent implementation challenges, Kansas City is faced with a growing number of dead or dying trees. Unfortunately, these are located close to power lines – a situation that threatens the loss of life and property. The National Electric Safety Code mandates that the local utility company remove dead trees near power lines. In the city, the Kansas City Power and Light take on trimming said trees. If the tree is on private land, the owner is responsible for removing the trees and limbs after that. As a business, we have trained removal experts with the right equipment for supporting the trimming and removal of dead and broken tree limbs.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Kansas City?
Dead trees are a hazard in the urban environment. They require proactive removal and management programs. The price of each of these programs is dependent on several factors, but it typically ranges from $300 to around $2,000. The most significant cost factors include:
Condition
The condition of the tree determines the overall cost of the removal program. A sturdy tree with the toughness of typical Kansas City trees will be complex to get rid of. A tree in a precarious state that will require additional support for its removal attracts a higher price. For instance, if the tree shows extensive rot and neglect, it requires an inspection from our arborists. At the point of inspection, we want to understand the history of the dead tree. We inquire whether the site has had recent construction or has been recently affected by heavy machinery. Our arborist will also check if your tree is lean or has multiple trunks, requiring additional support during removal. All these contribute to the higher cost. The accessibility of the tree that is to be removed also determines the cost of the endeavor.
Similarly, we consider the complexity of the removal process. When the tree is at a safe distance from structures and other obstructions, we charge less. In a situation where we have to call on the services of a certified lineman, we charge extra. Finally, we consider the risk factor when creating a price projection for your tree removal. We consider our safety and that of your property even when deciding to call on extra support.
Size
The diameter and height of a tree affect the cost of its removal. We find that tall trees require mechanical assistance for removal. Similarly, trees with higher upper branches require exceptional support to delimb and ultimately remove. On the other hand, thicker trees are more tedious in their removal. They take a longer time, thus increasing the cost of the removal. We visit the site and inspect the tree, taking into account its height and girth. After that, we create a customized price breakdown for your project.
Location
The location of the tree requiring removal dramatically impacts the cost of the project. We consider the travel cost to the site and the amount of material that will need to be moved following removal. The removal expert visits the site to determine the mileage fee. Additionally, we have to get tree removal permits which feature the site plans. This shows where the tree is located and how the site preparation will take place. All these contribute to the final cost.
