Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Pelham?
- 2 Does the City of Pelham Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Pelham?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Pelham?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Pelham?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Pelham?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Pelham?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Pelham?
Pelham has a wonderful variety of trees, including pine, ash, oak, maple, birch, and willow. The majority of the trees that you see while driving around town are happy and healthy, ready to provide shade to residents for many more years.
When people call our team about tree removal, it’s usually because of one of these three reasons:
Diseases or Pest Infestations
Neither diseases nor pests are uncommon in Pelham trees. One common disease, beech leaf disease, is caused by an infestation of microscopic worms called nematodes. This disease can kill a healthy beech tree in less than six years. Experts are on the lookout for the arrival of oak wilt in the state, too, because of the devastation it could bring to our area’s oak trees. The sooner you can catch a disease or pest infestation, the more options you’ll have to save your tree. In some cases, removal is the best option. It can help prevent the spread of the issue to other trees and stop the infected tree from becoming a safety hazard.
Storm Damage
Heavy snows are notorious for causing damage to the area’s tree population. When the snow is wet and heavy, it can be difficult for weakened trees to hold onto their branches. This can result in the loss of large, major limbs. Heavy winds and rains can have the same results. In the most severe cases, extreme weather can uproot an entire mature tree. It’s important to inspect your trees after every storm and look for signs of damage. We can help you determine if there are any structural weaknesses in your tree or if removal is the best option.
Overgrowth and Lack of Space
Pelham is heavily forested, so the only way for the area to develop the land is to remove some trees. This is true, whether you want to build a block of apartments or expand the vegetable bed in your backyard. It’s also often necessary to remove trees that are growing too close to your foundation or plumbing system. Removing these problematic trees can give you the space that you need, protect your home’s infrastructure, and prevent costly damage in the future.
Does the City of Pelham Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
If you see a tree on Pelham property that requires removal, you can use this form on the town’s official website. Provide details about the specific issue, the location of the tree, and your contact information. Town officials will then take the appropriate action required.
Keep in mind that this is for trees on public property. Trees on private property are maintained by the property owners, and the town of Pelham will not interfere with disputes among neighbors about tree removal.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Pelham?
Fallen trees can cause thousands of dollars in damages and can be a serious safety risk. So who is responsible for the cleanup and the final bill? It all depends on who you are.
If you’re a homeowner?
If a tree’s trunk and most of its root system are within your property line, then that’s your tree. You are responsible for the care and maintenance of the tree including its removal if it falls.
This also means you could be potentially liable for the damage caused by your fallen tree if you don’t take care of it. In a landmark case in 2011, the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that landowners could be responsible for the damage or injury caused by their trees if they knew the tree was a potential hazard. This is why it’s important to have our team complete regular surveys of your trees, annual trimming, and inspections, and to take care of damage promptly after a storm.
If you’re a renter?
Only about 10% of Pelham residents rent, which is well below both the state and national averages for renters. It’s important for those who do rent to know that a renter’s only responsibility is to report the fallen tree to their landlord or property management company. The landlord or property management company should handle the removal and cleanup. As a renter, you can make a claim for any damages on your rental insurance.
If you’re a landlord?
Landlords retain the responsibility for the trees on their properties, whether those properties are rented out on a short-term or long-term basis. That means if you are a landlord, you’ll still need to care for and maintain any trees around the rental property. You’ll also need to handle the removal of a fallen tree.
If you’re a neighbor?
If a neighbor’s tree falls into your property line, whether you are responsible for the damage, cleanup, and expense will depend on what the tree’s owner knew about it before it fell. If they had no reason to think the tree posed a danger to your property, then they aren’t held responsible. You’ll have to pay for the cleanup and claim the damages on your homeowners insurance. If, however, they knew the tree was a risk or somehow damaged, they may be held liable.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Pelham?
You can divide Pelham’s soil into two basic regions. In the east of town, you’ll find gravelly and sandy soils without much silt or clay. That means they don’t retain much water. This can be a good thing for trees that like to have dry roots and are prone to root rot when sitting in excessive moisture.
In the western half of the town, you’ll find soil that’s deeper and loamy. Loamy means there is a good mixture of sand, silt, and clay. This makes the soil good for water retention, and it’s easier for trees to get the nutrients they need from the ground.
In general, both of these soils can be good for trees, especially hemlocks, pines, firs, and spruce varieties.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Pelham?
Pelham experiences a variety of weather conditions throughout the year. If any weather in Pelham is going to affect the health of our trees, though, it’s going to be either our deep, heavy snows or our freezing temperatures.
Wet and heavy snows can break branches off the trees, especially those that might have already been weakened or damaged. While most trees can withstand the loss of several branches without an issue, it can leave some trees more vulnerable to a pest infestation or a disease. Losing a lot of limbs in a storm may also be a sign that your tree is nearing the end of its natural life, and it may be best to remove the tree before it can cause any major damage to your home.
Freezing temperatures can also be an issue. Temperatures here in Pelham average around 44 degrees in the winter, but there are always days that the temperature drops to nearly zero and stays there for a while. Most trees, especially native New Hampshire varieties, can hold up to these temperatures very well. However, it could end up damaging new growth on trees, preventing them from putting on new leaves or buds in the spring.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Pelham?
If you see a dead tree near a power line, you can use Pelham’s Municipal Service Request form to report it. Town managers will send an experienced contractor to the site to evaluate the situation and take action.
If you see a tree that’s already fallen onto a power line, you should contact 911. Emergency services will dispatch someone to the area right away. In the meantime, you should stay away from the tree as well as the power lines. Try to keep others away as well.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Pelham?
The cost of tree removal in Pelham can range from $150 to $1,900 or more. On average, though, most homeowners will pay around $600 for the removal of a tree on their property. It’s difficult to give an accurate estimate on tree removal without first inspecting the tree because factors such as these will affect the price:
Tree Height
The taller the tree, the more it will cost you to remove. Larch trees, a common species in the Pelham area, grow to about 50 feet tall. A spruce tree can grow anywhere from 60 to 200 feet tall. Trees under ten feet tall will be the least expensive to remove, as they won’t require any special equipment. Trees like the spruce can require halters, cranes, and other specialized equipment for removal.
Tree Accessibility
If it’s easy to get to your tree, then it’s going to cost you less to remove it. However, trees crowded in with other trees, growing close to a house or garage, or growing near power lines are going to cost more to remove. Our tree removal crew will have to carefully assess these trees to ensure safe removal, and this can take more time and more manpower to do.
Additional Services
Stump grinding is rarely included in the price of tree removal. You can opt to leave the stump in place, however, we recommend that you remove it. This allows you a clean area to develop or to simply plant grass. It will also prevent the stump from becoming diseased in the future. Stump grinding can add anywhere from $200 to $350 to the cost of your tree removal.
