Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Bozeman?
- 2 Does the City of Bozeman Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Bozeman?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Bozeman?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Bozeman?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Bozeman?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Bozeman?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Bozeman?
People have always loved Bozeman. It’s been called the “Valley of the Flowers” by indigenous people and “Sweet Pea Capital of the Nation” in the early 1900s. It has been filmed in movies like “A River Runs Through It” and “The Horse Whisperer”.
It is the fourth largest city in Montana, yet it is much more than that. Here, you will find the big city lifestyle combined with the natural beauty of Yellowstone National Forest and the Rocky Mountains. This makes it paradise for many people because you can spend your days dining and shopping, rock climbing or fly-fishing, or even relaxing in a nearby hot spring.
City living may have gained control of Gallatin County, but there are still people who hold onto its agricultural roots. Therefore, some of the most common tree issues in Montana are a big concern. These concerns are:
- Fire Blight. This bacterial disease can be devastating for fruit trees, ash, and hawthorns. Since it attacks new growth, fruits, and flowers, it can kill the tree.
- Elm Scale. Surprisingly, this is a type of pest that can invade trees. They feed on leaves and bark, removing sap. This can lead to yellowing and open it up to other diseases such as Sooty Mold Fungus.
- Ash Borers. These insects attack the Ash trees in Montana. Once they set in a tree, it can be fatal for the tree.
- Drought Stress. During times of dry weather, pay close attention to your trees. At the tip of the branches or the upper crown, you should look for areas that are yellow rather than green. Prolonged drought stress can cause the crown to die back. It can be caused by root issues or not enough water.
- Rough Bullet Gall. Having a Bur Oak tree means that you could notice warps that resemble balls. They may be separate or in a group, mostly on young growth. It is caused by insects or wasps. Though rarely fatal, it can still cause stress for the tree, which may open it up to other issues.
- Ash Psyllid. Black ash trees are the target for these nasty insects. They enjoy dining on new growth and may often kill the tree if not treated.
- Honey Locust Cankers. These sores are caused by fungal pathogens. They can attack trees that have damaged areas or existing wounds, such as during the pruning season. Honey Locust trees are most susceptible.
These are not all the issues that trees in Montana may be affected by. The Division of Forestry has them sorted into categories such as:
- Root diseases
- Branch diseases
- Foliage diseases
- Other canker problems
- Beetle and borer types
Does the City of Bozeman Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The City of Bozeman does not offer tree removal services except around the Christmas season. After Christmas, they will recycle trees into organic cover. The forestry staff and Solid Waste Division remove trees and vegetation in public areas and alleys. Residents are responsible for their own vegetation and tree removals to ensure it doesn’t encroach on public areas.
Although this may make tree removal difficult for some homeowners, there is good news. If you have a tree that is dead or problematic, you can get help to replace it. There are both Tree Planting Programs and Free Mulch Programs to help new trees get the healthiest start possible. It means that you never have to give up the trees that keep Bozeman, Montana beautiful!
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Bozeman?
Much of Montana is wide open spaces. However, in cities, things can become a little tight. This, combined with our love of trees, may be a little difficult to know where responsibility falls. There are several things that may need to be considered based on your ownership of the land and tree.
If you’re a homeowner?
As a homeowner, you are responsible for the trees on your property. You hold some basic responsibilities for city trees that are near your home. This means keeping mulch around them, watering the city trees, etc.
If you have a tree on private property and fail to keep vegetation or trees trimmed, you may be charged with a misdemeanor. You should ensure they do not hang lower than 7 feet above sidewalks. If Bozeman says it is a problem, you have 10 days to take care of it. Your trees can be considered a public nuisance if they are dead, dying, over public property, or in a place that may harm others.
Assuming you have a tree that needs to be removed, you are responsible for its removal as the property owner. However, if the tree stands on a property line, it belongs to both you and your neighbor. Therefore, you should agree on what to do with it. The determining factor for this is how much of the tree’s trunk is on your property. If it is wholly on your land, you own the tree exclusively.
If you’re a renter?
As a renter, you do hold some responsibility for upkeep and maintenance as it pertains to the rental property.
However, you have no legal right to do anything structurally to the property to change permanently. This means you are not allowed to remove a tree, even if it is diseased or dead. You must contact your landlord and let them handle it. This allows them to take care of it before it falls.
If the tree falls because of a natural occurrence, you should notify your landlord. They can then contact their insurance company or remove the tree themselves. It gives them a chance to repair or pay for damages.
If you’re a landlord?
When you are a landlord, you have an obligation to maintain the property so that it is safe for tenants. This means taking care of or removing an unhealthy tree, ensuring they have water, etc. You should keep in touch with your tenant, address concerns, and routinely inspect the property.
In the event that a diseased tree falls, you could be held accountable as the tree owner. To avoid legal issues and expenses, you need to urge your tenant to talk openly about any issues that they may have, even with something as simple as a tree.
If you’re a neighbor?
In Montana, trees that your neighbor has in their yard may not be considered a nuisance for you, even if it does interrupt your view of the world. However, if the roots of the tree grow under your fence and cause damage, then it may be seen as encroaching on your property and trespassing. Both of these things may ensure that the tree owner must pay for damages.
To cause further confusion, you can trim trees to the property line if you feel the tree poses a threat to your property. However, you are encouraged to speak with your neighbor before you do it to get their approval or assistance. Come to an agreement that you can put in writing. There are times when it can be seen as causing damage to their personal property if you don’t.
If the tree falls on your land because of wind or other acts of nature, you will likely have to get money from your own insurance company. The exception to this is if you can prove in writing that your neighbor knowingly allowed a dead or diseased tree to stand, and it damaged your property. In this case, their insurance may have to pay.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Bozeman?
Bozeman has very deep, well-draining soil. It is a mixture of fine-silty or silt loam. However, your soil may change depending on how deep you dig.
- 0- to 4 inches: This soil is generally dark gray to black. It may be moist, friable, sticky, and contains fine roots or sand.
- 4- to 8 inches: Dark gray in color, you may find some silt clay and hard sticky granular pieces.
- 8- to 20 inches: Your soil will turn a grayish brown to dark brown. It can be silty clay loam, somewhat blocky, and firm.
- 20 inches and up: Silty clay and silt loam are going to be most predominant. The soil may maintain its firmness, but get lighter the deeper you go.
Overall, silty soils and loamy soils are ideal for growing trees because of how well they drain. However, to keep soil from draining so quickly, organic material may be necessary. It will hold water to the roots.
You may want to consider growing trees that are native to the area. They are already adapted to this soil type. Typically, trees will fall into two basic categories. You should plant based on your needs.
Broadleaf Trees
Broadleaf trees are ideal for providing shade. They include ash trees, maples, lindens, flowering crab apples, and more. These shade trees grow in the area well. However, you may still want to do your part and prepare the soils to make it easier to for you to tackle irrigation during the dry season.
Evergreen Conifer Trees
If you simply want easy-to-care-for trees, you may want conifers. This includes spruce, juniper, and pine. These trees are easy because they conserve water and work well if there is a drought. You will see these trees mostly in the forests around Bozeman, but they can be planted closer to home if you want to.
Our shortlist of trees is not a full list of trees that are native to Montana. It is just to give you an idea of some of the options you have.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Bozeman?
The overall climate in Bozeman is temperate. However, the temperatures are mild and there are still more cold days than warm ones. This is despite an average of 300 days per year when you will see some sun. There is a fair amount of precipitation throughout the year.
During the winter, the precipitation may fall as snow averaging somewhere between 50 to 80 inches. Rainfalls during the warm weather months will typically come as afternoon storms, some of which may be heavy.
A downside for residents and the trees we love is that severe weather can pose problems. Frequent drought may cause an increased fire risk. Afternoon storms can bring excessive winds. There is a large potential for hailstorms in the winter months.
A lot of this could be linked to climate change. This doesn’t make it better for the residents. It can negatively impact the trees we are trying to keep.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Bozeman?
When a tree is posing risk to a power line, you are urged to stay away from it. A slight breeze can cause the tree to hit the line and potentially knock it down. If you come in contact with the wire, it could be deadly. Dead trees are very unstable.
You are urged to contact your local power company. If you use NorthWestern Energy, they have an emergency number listed on the top of their home page. During business hours, you may want to contact someone from Bozeman’s Public Works.
If you can do so safely, you should tell others in the area to avoid getting near the tree or the power lines. This includes children and pet owners.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Bozeman?
The typical cost for tree removal in Bozeman will end up being between $200.00 and $2,100.00. A majority of homeowners will spend right at $600.00 for tree removal services in the area. However, you should note that your price could be higher or lower based on a variety of factors.
Labor
You will have to pay our tree removal professionals for their time and the time it takes them to complete the job. Without seeing the tree you want to be removed first, we can’t tell you with accuracy how much the total labor cost will be.
Size
The size of the tree will determine several things about the job you need to be done. It will tell us:
- How long it will take
- How many of our crew members need to be on the job
- Special equipment that may be needed
- The tree’s health and concerns
- How to help the tree come down safely
In general, larger trees of 10 feet or more are more complicated to bring down. Dead or dying trees are as well because they become unstable.
Situation
Until we see the tree, we can’t predict the situation that tree is in. This can include its health, how close it is to power lines or structures, and more. The more difficult the removal of your tree, the more you will likely pay for removal. We have to do our part to bring it down safely.