Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Poplar Bluff?
- 2 Does the City of Poplar Bluff Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Poplar Bluff?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Poplar Bluff?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Poplar Bluff?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Poplar Bluff?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Poplar Bluff?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Poplar Bluff?
You want trees in your yard for the character and shade they bring. The Poplar Bluff area has an array of trees in all shapes and sizes. Some trees are native, while others are non-native. The most popular trees that we see in the area are:
- Silver Maple
- Ash
- Bradford Pear
- American Elm
- White Pine
- Flowering Dogwood
- Eastern Redbud
- White Oak
These trees can grow to majestic heights and thicknesses. They look like they’ll be in this space 100 years from now. Many Poplar Bluff homeowners wonder what they did wrong when one of their trees needs to be removed. The answer is almost always that the homeowner didn’t do anything wrong. Here are the most common tree issues that we see in the area:
Damage From Storms
When the weather warms up or begins to cool off, Poplar Bluff can see some brutal storms. With thunderstorms, there the chance of high winds and lightning. A lightning strike can damage a tree or split it in half.
Thunderstorms also bring the possibility of a tornado. In Poplar Bluff in 1927, a tornado leveled the historic center of town, but the area was later rebuilt. Tornadoes pose a threat to everything in their path and debris field.
Between 1950 and 2010, the area saw 84 tornadoes of a category two or higher. This number is a little over an average of one a year. A tornado’s funnel has wind speeds of up to 300 mph.
These high winds attempt to bring things into the funnel and push them upwards. The winds can pick up a tree, roots, and all and drop it on your roof at this speed.
Even if your Poplar Bluff home isn’t in the direct path of a twister, the debris field might cause damage to your trees and house. The debris field can extend 50 miles behind the tornado and up to a mile on either side of it.
Damage From Winter Weather
Although Poplar Bluff only sees a little over six inches of snow on average each year, the daytime temperatures hover in the low 40s to mid-30s, and at night, the temperatures plunge into the mid to low 20s.
With temperatures this low and sustained over some time, the area experiences a hard freeze. The soil in your yard freezes, including the moisture and nutrients that your trees need to remain healthy.
If you have evergreen trees in your Poplar Bluff yard, they are grown to withstand a hard freeze, although younger trees and saplings might become damaged. Other tree species might become damaged or perish during this brutal weather.
When spring arrives, you expect your trees to start flourishing again with new leaves, limbs, and flowers. You may find that one of your trees didn’t survive the hard freeze.
Every once in a while, a tree appears to bounce back in the spring only to die a few weeks or months later. With these trees, a part of it was damaged and couldn’t process nutrients. This damage spread, killing the entire tree.
If you think a tree was damaged during a hard freeze, our team can check it and advise you on the best course of action.
Does the City of Poplar Bluff Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
In the City of Poplar Bluff, the trees on public land are planted, trimmed, and removed by the City. In some cases, there’s an easement on a homeowner’s property, making this public land that the City will care for, including the trees on it. On private property, the City doesn’t provide any assistance in tree removal. It’s up to you to remove a tree from your yard.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Poplar Bluff?
When a tree falls, someone needs to take responsibility for removing it. Our Poplar Bluff team receives many phone calls describing a situation and asking who is responsible for removing the fallen tree. We’ve created this section to answer this question based on different circumstances.
If You’re a Homeowner?
As a Poplar Bluff homeowner, you’re probably responsible for removing a fallen tree in your yard because it’s private property. Sometimes, there’s a small area of land at the front of your yard that’s an easement owned by the City or one of the local utility companies. A fallen tree on an easement is the entity’s responsibility that retains the right to use it.
If You’re a Renter?
When you rent a Poplar Bluff home, you probably take care of routine lawn maintenance, such as mowing, raking, trimming, and other tasks. However, when a tree falls in the yard, it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to remove it, but you’re responsible for advising them of any issues with trees or fallen ones.
If You’re a Landlord?
If you’re the landlord and the homeowner, you’re the responsible party for removing a fallen tree from the Poplar Bluff yard. Your tenant might take care of mowing the grass, but you can’t hold them accountable for removing a fallen tree even though you aren’t currently living in the house.
If You’re a Neighbor?
You walk outside and notice that one of your neighbor’s trees has fallen with part of it in your yard. Who is responsible for this? As the homeowner, you’re responsible for removing the part of the tree that’s in your Poplar Bluff yard.
If your neighbor knew there was a problem with the tree and didn’t take care of it, they’re negligent in their care of the fallen tree. The negligence also makes them liable for damages done by the tree and its removal.
To remain on friendly terms with your neighbor, it’s always a good idea to talk to your neighbor before taking any legal action. The two of you might be able to work out a solution.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Poplar Bluff?
In Poplar Bluff, the soil that we see most often is Menfro soil. This type of soil is desirable soil for both building and growing plants, trees, and crops. It’s a deep soil that’s able to absorb the water and drains it well too. The soil draining well helps to reduce the possibility of root rot, a fungal disease, in your trees.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Poplar Bluff?
Yes, the weather can affect the health of your trees in Poplar Bluff. The storms can be violent in the area, and you may have a tree damaged or killed by lightning. Tornadoes are another possibility that can decimate the trees in your yard.
In the winter months, the extended periods of freezing weather can create a hard freeze. This condition freezes the soil in your Poplar Bluff yard and can damage or kill a tree.
If you think that a tree isn’t doing well due to weather, our team can check it out and create a game plan to move forward.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Poplar Bluff?
A dead tree near a power line might be on an easement owned by the utility company. When this happens, the power company will take care of removing the dead tree. However, it’s up to the Poplar Bluff homeowner to remove it if it isn’t on an easement.
It’s important to note that dead trees and power lines have the potential to be a deadly combination. If you see a dead tree lying on a power line, go inside and call the local emergency services to remove it. A dead tree that’s only near a power line needs professional assistance to remove it. Hiring our experts ensures the tree won’t fall onto the power line.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Poplar Bluff?
Poplar Bluff homeowners often ask about the cost of tree removal. The prices range between $250 and $2,155, with an average price of around $650. While you only need a permit to remove a tree from the nearby Mark Twain National Forest, other cost factors might affect your quote:
Condition of the Tree
In some cases, a tree begins to decay as soon as it dies. These areas of decay present the possibility of the tree crumbling into itself. It takes more time and equipment to ensure the tree doesn’t collapse during removal.
Location of the Tree
If a dead tree sits close to your home or other trees, we need to remove it without damaging the things close to it. This requires additional time and safety measures to ensure the tree comes down safely.
Additional Services
Many Poplar Bluff homeowners want additional services. The two that are requested from our specialists most often are stump removal and running the tree through a wood chipper. You can use the wood chips as mulch around your yard.
