Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Cornelius?
- 2 Does The City of Cornelius Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Cornelius?
- 4 How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Cornelius?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Cornelius?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines In Cornelius?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Cornelius?
What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Cornelius?
One interesting problem for trees in Cornelius is the Cankerworm, commonly called inchworms. These worms can be a nuisance in the spring when they come down from the tree limbs on their silk threads. Cankerworms love to feed on leaves, especially delicious oak leaves. Mecklenburg County, including Cornelius, has seen a high population of these pests in the last few years. Fall is the best time to stop Cankerworms and the best way is to put bands on the tree trunks to stop the female Cankerworm from crawling up to the tree canopy to lay eggs.
Another issue for Cornelius trees is other invasive plant species. These plants can be detrimental because they do not have any natural predators, can grow unchecked, and can crowd out the native plants. Some of these invasive species include:
- Autumn Olive
- Chinese Holly
- Japanese Stilt Grass
- Golden Bamboo
- Kudzu
Does The City of Cornelius Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?
Property owners are responsible for all maintenance of trees, shrubs, and other vegetation on their private property. The exception to this rule is the maintenance of trees and shrubs located in right-of-ways or easements. These types of areas on your property are designated for utilities and sidewalks adjacent to the street.
The local government of Cornelius is responsible for maintaining the trees on public property. Public property includes parks, greenways, and all other others controlled by the local government.
Trees are the responsibility of the entire community. The local government and private citizens work together to keep private and public properties looking their best for the benefit of all.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Cornelius?
Sometimes trees can be downright rude and not fall perfectly within the boundary lines of private property. Things get complicated when a tree from your property falls on a neighbor’s property and causes property damage. Nothing says strained neighbor relationships better than a fallen tree.
Interestingly, North Carolina does not have cut-and-dry laws about who pays for tree removal. North Carolina follows the “common law negligence standard for property and bodily injury for damage caused by falling trees and limbs.” Practically speaking, a homeowner’s policy should cover any damage and removal costs even if the fallen tree’s roots are across the property line. The policy owner does not have to establish fault. However, if the payout is significant enough, the homeowner’s policy may pursue indemnity from the neighbor (or their insurance policy) with the theory the neighbor was negligent.
If you’re a homeowner?
As the homeowner, it is your responsibility to maintain all your trees at your own cost. If trees or branches from your property fall on your property, it is your responsibility to pay for the removal and any damage to private property. Be sure to contact your homeowner’s policy first. Your costs could be covered.
It is also the homeowner’s responsibility to eliminate any foreseeable danger a tree may pose to a neighboring property. This duty includes:
- If a tree is dead or visibly dying
- If a tree leans prominently towards a neighbor’s property
- If tree limbs have extended far across the property line
- If tree limbs over where cars park or other structures
- And, if the owner of the tree cut through a large anchoring root of the tree
If any of the above factors are found to be true, the judge may find that the owner of the tree should have foreseen a problem and should have acted appropriately and then assign fault.
If you’re a renter?
As a renter, by default, you are not the owner of the property where a tree has fallen. You are not responsible for removing the tree, but it is still prudent for you to contact your renter’s insurance to protect your private property. Also, it is good practice to be mindful of any potential hazards from the trees on the property you are renting. That way, you can inform the landlord before any damage occurs. Staying ahead of any damage is beneficial for both parties.
If you’re a landlord?
The cost of maintaining and removing any fallen trees is the responsibility of the owner of the property. If there are any damages due to a fallen tree, that is also the responsibility of the owner to cover. Always check with your homeowner’s insurance before taking any action.
This type of problem should concern a homeowner only if there is no property insurance, has a lapsed policy, or for some reason, does not have coverage for damage caused by a fallen tree. Always have up-to-date insurance on all your properties.
If you’re a neighbor?
Your insurance should cover the damage and removal of a fallen tree even if it is rooted elsewhere. You don’t necessarily have to find fault in the tree’s property owner. However, this can change if the cost of the damages and removal is significant enough. The person who suffers property damage due to a fallen tree from another property has to prove the owner of the tree was negligent in maintaining the tree and allowing a potentially dangerous tree to continue standing. The tree’s owner must maintain the tree and your duty is to prove the owner did not follow through.
How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Cornelius?
Believe it or not, North Carolina has a state soil, the Cecil soil. While most Cecil soil can be found in the more western regions of the state, it can be found in and around Cornelius. Cecil soil is an excellent soil for row crops such as corn, tobacco, and cotton. It is also great for pasture land and forests. Trees, such as pine, oak, and hickory, especially benefit from the richness of Cecil soil. Cecil soil comes from felsic, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. These types of rock minerals are beneficial to trees.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Cornelius?
There is a wide range of weather in Cornelius. The summers can be hot and muggy and the winters can be very cold and wet. On average, the temperatures range from 32 degrees and 88 degrees. It is rare for temperatures to go below 20 degrees or above 90 degrees, but it can happen. In general, these weather patterns are favorable for trees. You can get all the seasons without harsh changes. However, hot summers can be damaging to trees especially if there is not enough rainwater. Trees are not much different from humans or animals. If the temperatures go up, the trees get thirsty. It is detrimental to the tree if it can’t get enough water. On the flip side, a harsh winter can lead to the tree roots freezing, preventing the distribution of much-needed nutrients from the soil. This can lead to the tree weakening and potentially dying and falling.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines In Cornelius?
Dead trees are a significant threat to power lines. Diseased or overgrown trees in Cornelius can damage power lines and cause power outages and can also be a safety hazard. The electrical company that services the Cornelius area will work to offset any potential dangers. They mainly do this by maintaining a regular tree trimming schedule of trees near high voltage power lines. Sometimes the complete removal of a tree is required if it poses a threat of falling on the electrical wire. While the electric company does keep to an extensive trimming and removal program, it is still up to the homeowner to clean up after the electrical company. The electric company will eliminate the threat to the power lines, but will not clean up any trunks, branches, or debris that falls on private property. We can help with the debris or stump removal.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Cornelius?
Getting a tree removed in Cornelius, NC is not a cheap endeavor by any stretch of the imagination. It is possible to get lucky and the total cost comes out less than you were originally quoted. Be smart, though, and plan for that to not be the case. If you live in or near Cornelius, NC, you can expect to spend between $220 and $2,100 to have a tree removed. And depending on other factors, it can go over that estimation. Consider these three main factors that can affect how much you spend on tree removal.
Location
Where the tree that needs to be removed is located will directly factor into your final cost. It comes down to how easy or difficult it is for our crews to access the tree. A tree that is already dead and lying on the ground is pretty easy to remove and won’t cost you too much. If the tree is near power lines, fallen on a structure, or in a densely populated neighborhood, it will cost you much more. Also, a city permit may be required based on where your tree is located. Be sure to check with the City to check if you need a permit, or ask our specialists.
Type of Tree
The type of tree is also a big contributing factor to the cost. Some types of trees are just easier to remove and others are much harder to move. For example, oak trees have very dense and thick wood. That wood is hard to get through and requires much more effort. Removing an oak tree will put you on the higher end of the cost range. Be sure you want or need your tree removed before you commit to the cost.
Size of the Tree
Size matters when it comes to removing trees. Large trees require much more attention and time to safely remove them. Two examples of potentially big trees are tall pine trees and large oak trees. Sometimes special equipment is required, like a bucket truck or a crane may be needed. If more of our people and more equipment are needed, the cost is going to go up quickly.
