Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Washington?
- 2 Does the City of Washington Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Washington?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Washington?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Washington?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Washington?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Washington?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Washington?
You enjoy having trees in your yard. They add character and offer shade when the weather is warm. We see a variety of trees in the area that range from native trees to non-native ones. Here are a few of the trees we see most commonly in Washington:
- White Fir
- Rocky Mountain Maple
- Bigtooth Maple
- Boxelder
- Serviceberry
- Netleaf Hackberry
- Mountain Mahogany
- Desert Willow
The maple and fir trees grow to a substantial size to provide a spot for a hammock or to build a fort. When one of these trees becomes damaged or diseased, it’s hard for Washington homeowners to understand what happened to it. Here are a few of the tree issues that we see more than others in the area:
Summer Drought Conditions
When most people think of Utah, they think of the skiing and mountains of snow. However, in the Washington area, once summer arrives, there is only an average of four days between the beginning of June and the end of August when there’s a rain shower.
No matter how much snow melts in the spring, the summer weather is going to leave the soil in your yard parched. The tree roots can’t soak up the moisture and nutrients that it needs to keep your trees healthy and growing.
It’s always beneficial to add mulch to the base of the trees to help trap the moisture and nutrients longer. However, you might need to water your trees and the rest of your lawn in the heat of the summer.
The Washington County Water Conservancy has some guidelines for watering outside throughout the year. However, as drought conditions become worse, you might find additional restrictions. It’s always a good idea to check with the city before you pull out the hose or turn on your sprinkler system.
Damage From Insect Infestation
In the spring, the Washington area hosts a variety of insects and other pests. While these critters are bad news for the trees in your yard, they are an integral part of the ecosystem. Your trees are apt to become a home or food source for these insects, and this can damage or destroy quickly. Here are a few of the most common insects that we see in the area:
- Asian Gypsy Moth
- Asian Longhorned Beetle
- Emerald Ash Borer Beetle
- European Cherry Fruit Fly
- European Gypsy Moth
- Spotted Lanternfly
Insects don’t understand the importance of trees, so when you notice an infestation in one tree, they’re probably staking out other ones too. You might be able to treat an insect infestation and save the tree if you catch it early. However, you need to be able to recognize the signs of an infestation in your Washington yard, such as:
- Bugs on the tree or swarming around it
- Holes and channels in the trunk
- Missing patches in the bark on the trunk
- Weak areas between limbs and the trunk
- Canopy appears less full
- Discolored leaves and smaller new ones
- Smaller limbs
- Sudden lack of growth
If you notice a sign of an insect infestation, our team can evaluate the tree and make a recommendation for treatment or removal.
Does the City of Washington Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
In the city of Washington, the Public Works Department will take care of any trees that are on public land. They’ll plant new trees, trim them, and remove them when necessary. Public land might include an easement on your property. If the tree is on your private property, then you’re responsible for its removal. The city doesn’t offer any assistance with removing a tree from your yard.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Washington?
Our team receives many phone calls from locals who want to know who is responsible for removing a fallen tree. It seems as though each caller has a varied situation or special circumstances. The Washington team create this section to review possible circumstances and provide information on the responsible party.
If you’re a homeowner?
As a Washington homeowner, you can expect to be responsible for removing a fallen tree from your yard in almost all possible circumstances. Now, if the fallen tree sits on an easement, the city or local utility company that owns the right to use it will remove the fallen tree.
If you’re a renter?
Sometimes, a tenant might agree to take care of the yard work as part of this lease. This includes general lawn maintenance including mowing, raking, pulling weeds, and sweeping the walkways. It doesn’t include removing a fallen tree. You need to let the homeowner know as soon as there’s an issue since they’re responsible for removing the tree.
If you’re a landlord?
The landlord is also the Washington homeowner. This makes it your responsibility to remove a fallen tree from the yard of the home. While the tenant might mow the grass, they aren’t responsible for major jobs, such as tree removal.
If you’re a neighbor?
The fir trees in the area can grow to astounding heights, so it should come as no surprise if you walk out of your house to find a fallen tree from your neighbor’s property is also in your yard. You’re responsible for removing the portion of the tree that’s lying in your Washington yard.
However, there is a chance that your neighbor knew the tree needed to be removed and failed to do so. They’re negligent in caring for the tree and liable for any damages done to your property including removing the section of the tree from your yard.
Before you call a lawyer, you might consider talking to your neighbor first. A solution might be able to be agreed to without the need for legal intervention.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Washington?
In Washington and the rest of Utah, there are seven major soil types:
- Aridisols
- Entisols
- Mollisols
- Alfisols
- Inceptisols
- Histosols
- Vertisols
Without a soil test, we can’t tell you how the soil composition in your yard affects your trees. When you’re ready, we can conduct a soil test to determine the specific soil makeup on your property. Generally, the soil in Washington is largely beneficial for tree growth.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Washington?
Yes, the weather in Washington can affect the health of your trees. In the summer months, the lack of rain can create drought conditions that block your trees from getting the nutrients and moisture they need to grow.
Using mulch around the base of your trees is essential to keep as much moisture and nutrients in place. You can also water the trees and other greenery in your yard, but you should check with the city of Washington about any current water restrictions.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Washington?
When it comes to dead trees and power lines, you need to proceed with extreme caution. They can be a deadly combination especially a dead tree lying on a power line. You need to contact emergency services to deal with it. Also, a dead tree near a power line needs to be removed by a professional organization to cut it down safely.
There is the possibility that a dead tree near a power line is on an easement owned by the power company. In this case, the power company will remove the tree for you. However, you need to contact us to remove any trees that are on private property in your Washington yard.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Washington?
We hear this question from many homeowners. Unfortunately, we can’t provide you with an exact cost until we see the tree. However, the cost of tree removal in Washington runs between $180 and $2,170 with an average of around $900. While the city and state only require a permit to remove Christmas trees from public land, there are other cost factors for you to consider:
Tree Size
The size of the tree can play a large factor in your final cost. With large fir and maple trees in the area, our team needs to take additional time and safety measures to remove one of them without damaging your home or property. This adds time and additional equipment to the project.
Tree Location
Sometimes, a tree sits close to a home or in a closely-knit group of trees. Our team needs to remove a tree like this from your Washington yard without damaging your home or the other trees. This takes additional time and equipment to do this safely.
Tree Condition
Some trees begin to decay in areas before they die. When a tree is badly decayed in areas, we need to make sure that the tree doesn’t collapse in on itself as we’re removing it. We don’t want an uncontrolled fall that can cause additional damage.
