Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Davidson?
- 2 Does the City of Davidson Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Davidson?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Davidson?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Davidson?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Davidson?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Davidson?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Davidson?
Davidson trees face many threats from pests and diseases. These are the culprits we see the most often.
Fall cankerworms
These tiny inchworms climb up large trees and ravenously feed on their leaves. Even healthy trees can become damaged and sick and major infestations can kill mature trees very quickly. If you notice cankerworms, you can quickly alleviate the problem by wrapping your tree’s trunk so they can’t climb to its leaves. If this doesn’t work, it’s time to call out arborists for help. We’ve got pesticides that will take care of the problem quickly.
Emerald Ash Borer
The emerald ash borer is a small beetle that lays its eggs under the bark of ash trees. When the larvae hatch, they feed off of the fragile tissue underneath, leaving the tree damaged and weak. These beetles are hard to detect and they spread very quickly, killing mature ash trees in as little as three years. If you notice any sign of emerald ash borers, call the emerald ash borer hotline at 1-866-322-4512 and have an arborist out to assess your tree immediately. It’s very important that we intervene quickly so these pests don’t spread to healthy trees in the surrounding area.
Phytophthora Root Rot
This fungal disease affects many tree species, but it is especially problematic for oak and dogwood trees. The fungus lives in soil and thrives in environments that remain wet for long periods of time. Symptoms include wilted leaves and darkened bark around the base of your tree. If you suspect this condition, have our arborists check it out. If left untreated, the fungus can spread easily to other plants and your tree can die. We have a fungicide that works perfectly to eliminate Phytophthora root rot.
Fire Blight
Fire blight is a disease that affects many kinds of orchard trees and can be fatal, especially for apple and pear trees. The bacteria can spread by splashing water, insects, and even birds, and the disease initially attacks the blossoms of a tree, causing them to look burned. Once the blossoms are affected, the diseases spread throughout the tree causing flowers to turn brown, twigs to shrivel, and cankers to develop on branches. In severe cases, the cankers will ooze with infection and the tree will likely die. There is no cure for fire blight, but we’ve got tools to stop the spread of this disease. If you notice symptoms of fire blight, it’s important to prune away sick branches and have our arborist treat the area. With early and effective treatment, we are able to stop the spread of fire blight and hopefully save some fruit trees in the process.
Does the City of Davidson Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Tree care in the city is regulated by the Davidson Planning Ordinance. In Section 9: Tree Canopy, Landscaping, and Screening, the city lays out many stipulations that builders must follow when working on new construction projects in the city. Some of these rules include the minimum tree coverage for specific plots of land and the requirement for replacing all trees removed during a construction operation.
If you need to have a tree removed on your private property, you will need to call our arborists. The city does not provide financial assistance for tree removal, but they do regulate the process. Before having your tree removed, you need to apply for a permit. This applies to any tree that has a diameter of at least four inches. If you do not obtain a permit, you will risk being fined between $50 and $1000 for every tree that is removed without authorization. The city’s arborist will consider several factors including your tree’s current health, its risk of falling, whether it has historic or cultural value and whether your tree is a specimen tree as defined by the city. If the city’s arborist issues a permit, you have the green light to call us and have it removed.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Davidson?
If a tree falls on your property, you’ll be left with a big mess to clean up. Let’s discuss several scenarios so you’re ready to tackle the problem if a tree should fall.
If you’re a homeowner?
As a homeowner, you are responsible for maintaining your home and all of the trees on your property. You should call us to regularly prune away old branches and assess your trees to ensure that they’re in good health. If one should fall due to unforeseen circumstances, your homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost. You will only need to pay your deductible.
If you’re a renter?
The biggest perk of renting is the freedom from homeowner responsibilities. That means, if a tree falls, you don’t need to worry about the clean-up. Your landlord will take care of the tree’s removal. If your personal property is damaged in the fall, their insurance should cover the cost of any damages as well. If the company decides to be difficult, you may need to consult a lawyer for help receiving the money you’re owed.
If you’re a landlord?
As a landlord, you are responsible for the homes, landscaping, and trees on all of your rental properties. If you are regularly pruning your trees and ensuring that they are healthy, you have nothing to worry about. If a tree falls during a storm or other unforeseen event, your insurance will take care of the problem. You will only need to pay your deductible. If your insurance company believes that you have been negligent in your tree care, your premium can increase.
If you’re a neighbor?
Many neighborhood disputes have begun with a tree falling across property lines, but the law clears things up pretty easily. According to Massachusetts Law, a homeowner is responsible for pruning the branches and cleaning up any tree debris that falls across their property lines. Your insurance doesn’t care whether the fallen tree belonged to you. They are responsible for cleaning up messes on your property and they’ll take care of it. You will only need to pay your deductible. Your insurance will, on the other hand, go after your neighbor’s insurance company for payment if they believe your neighbor had neglected a hazardous tree.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Davidson?
Davidson soil is called Cecil soil. This particular soil is so common in North Carolina that it has been unofficially named the state soil. Cecil soil is composed of very deep and well-drained soil that contains a lot of clay. This nutrient-rich soil is great for tree growth and you can find it on over 1.6 million acres across the state.
The downside to Cecil soil is that it doesn’t absorb water very well. The clay makes it very dense and this particular soil is at risk of erosion. In order to amend this problem, you can add compost or other organic matter to your soil to break it up and allow water to flow through it freely. You can also add a thick layer of mulch around your tree’s base to protect the soil and retain moisture.
The Soil and Water Conservation District in Davidson also provides free soil test kits so you can see exactly what’s in your soil.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Davidson?
Trees in Davidson face tropical storms, flash floods, and the occasional snow and ice storm. Native trees have adapted to these weather conditions, but it’s important to keep them strong and healthy so they can weather any storm. When we are called to remove a fallen tree after a major storm, the tree was usually already dead or dying before it fell. Unhealthy trees just don’t have the strength to stand when the weather gets bad.
You can keep your trees healthy by pruning away dead branches and having our experts in to assess your trees often for signs of disease or infestation. If you notice a problem, call us to help diagnose your tree. Keep your trees watered well and put a thick layer of mulch around your tree’s base. The mulch will protect the tree’s vulnerable roots from the elements and it will ensure that the soil doesn’t wash away during a flash flood, leaving the tree at risk of falling.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Davidson?
Duke Energy trims the trees around primary power lines in Davidson. You are responsible for taking care of trimming branches near your service line, neutral lines, communication lines, and power lines for street lights. If you aren’t sure which line is your primary power line, check out the company’s illustration for reference.
If you need to trim trees near your power lines, give Duke a call at 1-800-452-2777 and they’ll temporarily shut off your power so you can get the job done safely. You can also contact them at the same number to report trees that need to be pruned or removed that are interfering with your primary power lines.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Davidson?
The price of tree removal in Davidson can vary from $250 to nearly $3,000 per tree. When calculating the price for your specific tree, we’ll consider several factors. Some of the most important factors are listed below:
Tree Size
Before quoting a price, we’ll need to measure your tree. Large trees with lots of foliage will take more time and manpower to bring down and we’ll factor that into your price. We’ll measure your tree’s height as well as the diameter of its trunk. For reference, a tree with a diameter of fewer than 12 inches costs around $550 and a trunk that is more than 36 inches wide will cost you approximately $2,300. This factor will be the biggest in determining your final cost.
Tree Location
If your tree is near your home or power lines, it’s going to make things a little more complicated. We’ll need to take several additional measures to keep your home and our workers safe while we bring the tree down. The last thing any homeowner wants is a damaged roof from falling limbs and we’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.
We’ll also take into consideration the tree’s accessibility. If your tree is located in a spot that’s hard to reach, we’re going to charge you a little more. We’ve got to get lots of heavy equipment to the worksite and if it’s a complicated route, you should expect to pay extra.
Stump Grinding
Our arborists don’t typically include stump grinding into their initial quote. Generally speaking, you’ll pay about $2.50 to $3 per inch, but it may cost you less if the stump is rotten. If you’d like to add stump grinding to your total cost, let us know and we’ll take care of it while we’re there. You’ll save far more in having our professionals do the job than it would cost you to rent a stump grinding machine for the day.
