Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Cary?
- 2 Does the City of Cary Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Cary?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Cary?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Cary?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Cary?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Cary?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Cary?
Like many other parts of the United States, Cary’s tree issues range from unfavorable weather to pest infestation and diseases. Some disease-causing insects include Emerald Ash Borer, Southern Pine Beetle, and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, which, as their names suggest, are species-specific. When it comes to diseases, root rot, anthracnose, needle blight, rust diseases, etc., are relatively common.
Unfavorable Weather
Cary has a warm and temperate climate, which favors tree growth. The tree canopy covers about 50% of the land. However, due to the increasing climate change, prolonged dry seasons have become a regular occurrence. This has contributed to the drastic decline in tree cover. Not only do long dry seasons cause tree dehydration, but they’re left weak and vulnerable to disease and pest infestation.
Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald Ash Borer is a destructive beetle responsible for the death of ash trees in Cary. Adult borers feed on the leaves of the infested tree while laying eggs on the tree’s bark. Once the larvae hatch, they dig tunnels on the trunk, thereby cutting off water and nutrient supply.
Recovery of an infested tree is possible upon early detection and treatment. But if unsuccessful, the tree is likely to die within five years. Infestation signs to look out for include crown die-back, bark-splitting, and increased woodpecker activity.
Southern Pine Beetle
The southern pine beetle is another invasive insect that colonizes pine trees and overwhelms their defense. They are compulsive eaters, which destroy and kill pines soon after infestation.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is an aphid-like insect that feeds on hemlock needles. They feast on the base of the needles, which cuts off nutrient supply. Like other leaves, needles are responsible for manufacturing food through photosynthesis. When nutrients stop flowing, the needles fall, and the tree eventually dies from a lack of food. However, treatment can be administered by our experts.
Root Rot
Root rot is a disease that affects many trees in Cary, necessitating their removal. It’s common among different species of trees around, such as pine, oak, ash, hemlock, dogwood, etc. Root rot interferes with nutrient and mineral absorption. As a result, the trees grow weak and may eventually succumb to the disease.
Nonetheless, root rot is curable if detected early. An arborist will often remove the infected roots to prevent disease spread. But this is usually possible in younger trees, whose roots have not grown too deep yet.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is another common tree disease that affects Cary’s hardwoods – oak, ash, dogwood, walnut, etc. It causes lesions on leaves, which ruins their aesthetic appeal.
Rust Disease
Rust disease is another issue that ravages Cary’s trees. It manifests as yellow spots on leaves of several tree species – pine, ash, cedar-apple, oak, etc.
Does the City of Cary Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
In Cary, tree removal on private property is the responsibility of the owner. However, if you have a diseased or pest-infested tree on your property neighboring trees on rights-of-way, the town authorities may enter your property to remove them to prevent spreading.
Usually, the town sends you an order to remove the tree, which you must act on within 14 days. If you fail to, they have a right to enter your property, remove the tree, and then bill you the removal costs. It’s almost always cheaper to hire our professionals to remove the tree than to wait for the city to remove it.
Note that the town has a schedule of protected trees and requires you to acquire a permit before removing them. Exceptions for a permit include the removal of invasive trees and hazardous trees.
Hazardous trees are such as those growing near power lines, dead or dying trees, trees leaning precariously over buildings, etc. For dangerous trees on public grounds, you can report them by calling 311 or (919) 469-4090.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Cary?
If a public tree on the rights-of-way falls, you can report to the town’s authorities to have them remove it. However, if the tree belongs to a private landowner, the responsibility applies as follows.
If you’re a homeowner?
Cary homeowners are responsible for the care of trees on their property, including their removal. But your insurer can cover the removal costs if the tree has damaged insured property.
If you’re a renter?
Usually, property law protects renters from expenses related to property maintenance, such as the care and removal of fallen trees. It’s the landlord’s responsibility to handle such issues. However, you may be held accountable if your actions have contributed to the tree’s fall.
If you’re a landlord?
Like many other parts of the nation, Cary landlords are responsible for removing any fallen tree on their property. However, if there are any damages on insured structures, the insurance compensation should cater to the removal costs.
If you’re a neighbor?
If your neighbor’s tree falls on your property, the law does not obligate them to remove it. However, you can talk to your neighbor to get it cleared. In cases where the tree falls on your insured property, the compensation should include removal costs.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Cary?
Good soil is necessary for optimal tree growth. Not only does it store nutrients and minerals, but soil with ideal texture enhances their uptake by the tree.
Cary’s dense tree cover is mainly due to its rich soil – Cecil. Arguably North Carolina’s state soil, Cecil offers ideal growing conditions for trees. It’s a well-drained soil with the right clay content for providing excellent tree support. Again, when the clay is too dense, it binds up nutrients, hindering proper absorption. The minimal amounts of clay found in Cecil provide the right balance between tree support and nutrient absorption.
Note that every tree species has its ideal soil conditions. If your trees have been performing poorly despite regular care and no visible signs of diseases or pests are observed, you may need to have your soil tested. NCDA (North Carolina Department of Agriculture) provides free soil testing.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Cary?
Weather plays a central role in tree health in Cary. The temperatures here are decently favorable, with enough rainfall and sunshine for optimal tree growth. Historically, tree canopy covered the majority of the land. However, owing to the regular prolonged dry weather over the recent years, tree cover has been dwindling, with only 50% currently left.
When the trees get dehydrated following a dry spell, they become prone to pest infestation. As most pests either destroy the leaves or dig into the trunks and cut nutrient and water supply, infected trees cannot recover even when the rains come. Again, in cases where pests and diseases have attacked healthy trees, their defense weakens when drought sets in and may eventually die.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Cary?
Essentially, utility companies are responsible for the maintenance of trees near their power lines. But you’re responsible for vegetation management along the cables supplying power to your property from the main. Part of your responsibility is ensuring you don’t plant trees near the line.
The utility company should do any tree removal near the line. Dead trees are especially a health hazard. If there are any on your property or neighboring public trees on the rights-of-way, you should call the respective utility company to remove them.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Cary?
Generally, tree removal cost in Cary depends on several factors – the size of the tree, its location, condition of the tree, among others. For this reason, most tree removal jobs range between $300 and $1300, with the average cost being around $800. However, the price may go higher, even up to $2000 in cases of large trees. Extra small trees may also cost you below $300. Stump removal is a separate cost, which generally ranges between $100 and $150.
Size
We will give you a quote based on the size of your tree – height and thickness. While a short tree may not require much tact or labor, a tall tree may involve climbing and roping pieces down. In the same way, a thick tree with many branches will require more time and effort to saw the trunk and clear the branches. This may not be the case for smaller trees.
The more involved the removal is, the higher the cost will be. For instance, you’re likely to pay around $350 to $700 for a 40-foot tree, while an 80-foot tree might cost you between $650 and $2,000.
Location
Tree location influences its removal cost to a greater extent. For instance, a tree situated near a building may require more tact and additional machinery, like a crane or a bucket truck, for safe removal. The liability is also greater for such a tree as opposed to one on clear grounds. As such, you will either pay more or less depending on the tree location. Again, trees on difficult-to-access grounds cost more to remove than those on easily accessible grounds.
Tree Condition
Tree condition is another major cost factor. For instance, if a heavy wind blows through your neighborhood, thereby downing your tree, you should expect to pay relatively lower than cutting a standing tree. An exception is where the tree has fallen on a building. Removing such a tree requires extra care, and is in itself risky, so you may end up paying even more.
The same applies to removing dead and dying trees. While it may cost you relatively cheaper than removing healthy trees, there are instances where the cost may go up. If the tree is precariously leaning on structures or is too fragile and risky for our crew to climb up, you may end up paying more for the extra machinery needed and the increased risk.
