Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Greensboro?
- 2 Does The City of Greensboro Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Greensboro?
- 4 How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Greensboro?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Greensboro?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines In Greensboro?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Greensboro?
What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Greensboro?
Dead Trees
Even with the best care, no tree will live forever. Red maples, a popular species in Greensboro, have an average lifespan of only about 80 to 100 years. That means if the tree has been on your property for that long, there is a good chance you’ll need to remove it soon. Even healthy trees will start to show signs of age when they’ve reached the end of their life. Watch for dying limbs, more damage after storms, and decay in the trunk.
Diseased Trees
Good tree care can help to prevent many of the common tree diseases, but sometimes a disease can weaken a tree before the owner knows it’s there. Diseases such as cherry bud rot, which affects stone fruit trees like cherries and peaches, can be difficult to spot in the beginning stages. It’s important to get diseased trees evaluated as soon as possible to determine if you can treat the disease or if you’ll need us to remove the tree entirely. Common signs of diseases include wilting leaves, dying branches, and strange colors or odors on the tree.
Damaged Trees
Damage can occur to trees in many ways, but the most common reasons are due to weather and human interference. Greensboro has plenty of tree-damaging extreme weather, including hail and lightning. Car accidents, improper trimming, and vandalism and also damage trees beyond repair. In these cases, it’s best to remove the tree before it becomes a danger to the surrounding area.
Infested Trees
Trees can make great homes for many species of animals and insects, but some are better residents than others. Invasive pests can end up damaging the tree and making it unhealthy, weakening its limbs and creating a safety hazard. Some of the more common tree pests in Greensboro include beetle, bagworm, and scale. You’ll notice many of these invasive pests by telltale signs such as chewed foliage, unusual bark appearance, or by spotting the pests themselves.
Invasive Trees
Sometimes we have to remove healthy trees for the safety of the surrounding structures. Branches from healthy trees can grow too close to power lines and roots can grow into nearby foundations, causing structural damage. Property owners may ask us to remove these trees to eliminate the safety hazard and the expense of ongoing repairs.
Nuisance Trees
Some trees are more of a pleasure to own than others, and some species of trees are not worth the effort. They might create too much sap, needles, or cotton and make time-consuming cleanup work. Homeowners might also be severely allergic to certain types of trees and prefer not to live in proximity to one. Removing these trees can actually increase the value of the property while making it a cleaner place to live.
Does The City of Greensboro Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?
You won’t get any help with tree removal issues if the tree is on property that you or another individual owns. The City of Greensboro will only remove trees located on city property. If you believe a tree located on city property should be removed, you can report it to the city. They will also evaluate requests to trim trees up at intersections and around signage if the tree is located on the City of Greensboro property.
The City of Greensboro will not get involved in disputes over trees located on private property.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Greensboro?
You should hire professionals like ours to handle your tree removal. But who should pick up the bill? Circumstances will vary, but here are some general guidelines to help you determine who should be responsible for removing an unwanted tree.
If you’re a homeowner?
While there are always exceptions to the rule, by and large, if it’s on your property, it’s your responsibility. So if the trunk of a tree sits within the boundaries of your property line, that’s your tree. You are responsible for maintaining it, including the cost of the tree removal if that’s required.
The same rules apply for branches that cross onto your property line. These are also your responsibility, even if the trunk of the tree isn’t on your land. That means you can trim the branches that hang over a fence onto your property line, for example. However, you cannot have the tree removed, as the trunk is on the property of your neighbor.
That means anything that falls into your neighbor’s yard is, for the most part, their problem, even if it causes damage. However, if the neighbor can prove that you weren’t maintaining the tree properly, then they can come after you for damages. That’s why it’s so important to maintain your trees correctly, and if a tree is especially problematic, it may be best to remove it.
If you’re a renter?
If you rent a property, unless it states otherwise in your lease, you are not responsible for the upkeep or maintenance of the trees on your property. That means you cannot have the trees removed, either, no matter how much of a nuisance they might be. If you believe a tree on your rented property poses a risk to your safety, then you’ll need to report it to your landlord. If they don’t take action, you may be able to contact the local housing authority or seek legal advice for help in dealing with the situation.
If you’re a landlord?
Unless you’ve written it into a lease agreement, the trees on your rental property are your responsibility as a landlord. If a tree poses a threat to the safety of your renters, you’ll need to pay to have it removed. If you don’t, you could face legal action if they do experience an injury or property damage due to the tree. This is a good reason to make sure the trees on your property receive annual maintenance including trimming.
If you’re a neighbor?
Unless the trunk of a tree is on your property, there isn’t much you can do about it. However, if there are branches hanging over your property line, you can trim them back. Otherwise, the care of the tree lies with your neighbor, and that includes the removal. If you believe the tree is a safety risk, you can ask your neighbor to have it removed, but you can’t force them to do it. However, document their care of the tree (or lack of it). Because if the tree ends up damaging your property, you’ll have to pay for the repairs unless you can prove that the neighbor was negligent in their care of the tree.
How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Greensboro?
The soil in Greensboro is especially suited for crops and trees. It’s a type of soil called Cecil soil, and it’s so common in North Carolina that it’s the official state soil. The soil is very deep, which is ideal for plants like trees that like to grow deep roots. It also drains well, so there is less chance of root rot damaging the plants growing in it even after heavy rain. Loblolly pines, oak, and hickory especially love this type of soil, which is why you’ll find so many of them in the area of Greensboro.
The good news is that because Cecil is so good for trees, it helps them grow healthy and strong. Tree removal is not usually caused by soil issues in North Carolina.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Greensboro?
Greensboro has its share of extreme weather, some of which can cause damage to trees in the area. The biggest weather-related dangers in Greensboro are:
- Hail
- Lightening
- Ice storms
- Extreme winds
Any of these can end up stripping branches off of a tree, leaving it susceptible to disease. In the most extreme cases, the effects of the weather can end up toppling trees or ripping off major branches. This can damage property or pose a risk to any people or animals nearby.
It’s important to inspect any trees on your property after severe weather to note any damage they may have suffered. If the damage is bad enough, you might need to call us to have the tree removed.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines In Greensboro?
If a dead or fallen tree is posing an immediate risk to a power line or has already fallen onto it, you should call 911 to report it. Otherwise, you can contact Duke Energy at 800-777-9898 to report a dead tree. Duke contracts with the City of Greensboro to maintain the trees around the power lines, and this number will connect you with their service team.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Greensboro?
If you need to have a tree removed from your Greensboro property, you can expect it to cost (on average) between $500 and $600. The cost will go up or down depending on several factors, including:
Size of the Tree
The bigger the tree, the more gear, manpower, and time it’s going to take to remove it. Larger trees can require special rigging gear and additional expertise in removal.
Location of the Tree
If the tree is in a hard-to-reach area or an area that requires more care during removal, the process will take longer and will cost more. The longer it takes to remove a tree, the more you’ll have to pay.
Our experts will provide you with a comprehensive quote on their services. That way you’ll know in advance how much it will cost you to remove the tree.
