Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Blackwood?
- 2 Does the City of Blackwood Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Blackwood?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Blackwood?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Blackwood?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Blackwood?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Blackwood?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Blackwood?
Trees can withstand a lot of physical damage and even varying levels of water availability, especially if they are mature and already established. However, trees in Blackwood are vulnerable to local diseases and invasive pests:
Invasive Pests
Blackwood is near bustling urban centers and coastal trade, which means that many invasive species of insects have made their home in the area. One of the most commonly known pests is the emerald ash borer, which can infest and quickly kill large swaths of ash trees. The borers move from tree to tree, killing infested trees within five years. Other pests can infest a wide variety of trees, with southern pine beetles infesting pines and gypsy moth caterpillars infesting oaks, birches, and multiple other tree varieties.
Infectious Diseases and Fungi
Fungi and bacterial infections can also damage trees. Some diseases can distress trees, leading to yellowing leaves or needles, slow growth, and premature dieback. But even mild and moderate diseases can put enough stress on trees to make them vulnerable to other infections and pest infestations that can kill the tree.
There are also aggressive fungal infections that can directly kill trees, such as boxwood blight. This is caused by Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum and it results in excessive dieback and lesions. Left untreated, it can kill entire plants, and the fungus can’t be cured. The best way to protect trees from severe fungal infections is to prune away infected branches and even remove entire trees before the infection can spread the problem to nearby trees.
Does the City of Blackwood Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The city of Blackwood is part of the Gloucester Township. The township does not provide financial assistance for tree removal. However, residents can report fallen trees in public areas, overgrown trees near signage or traffic lights, and other tree-related hazards via phone or text.
Camden County’s Department of Public Works also manages tree removal in public areas and along county roads including the 400 miles of county highways in the areas. Residents can report an issue to the county by filling out this online form.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Blackwood?
When a tree is growing on your property, you are responsible for its care and general maintenance. However, once a tree falls over, the question of who is responsible for managing the tree removal becomes more complicated. Determine if you need to handle tree removal for a nearby tree based on these common scenarios:
If you’re a homeowner?
Homeowners are responsible for managing the landscaping on their property. This includes if any trees fall on the property. However, your homeowners insurance company may be able to help. Depending on the terms of your policy, your insurance provider may arrange tree removal entirely on your behalf. They may also pay some or all of the cost, depending on your terms and deductible.
If you’re a renter?
Renters are not responsible for fixing up the property’s grounds or repairing the damage. This includes handling trees that have fallen on the property. If you’re renting an apartment unit or even a single-family residence, you don’t have to arrange for fallen tree removal. Instead, you can just notify your landlord of the problem and of any structural damage that might have happened when the tree fell over. You can also make a claim to your renters insurance company if the tree damaged any of your personal property when it fell over.
If you’re a landlord?
If you’re a landlord and you own the property you’re renting out, you’re responsible for managing and maintaining the property. This includes if a tree falls on the property, whether a tenant is renting the property or if it’s currently vacant. Once you contact your property insurance provider, they may arrange for tree removal or pay some or all of the costs. We recommend removing fallen trees as soon as possible to minimize disruption to the property, as fallen trees can become safety hazards and invite pests onto your property. If your insurance company delays the process, feel free to contact us for immediate help.
If you’re a neighbor?
If a tree from an adjacent property falls onto your property, you’re generally considered to be responsible for removing it. This includes when the tree fell from your neighbor’s property. However, if your neighbor’s tree fell because of negligence, the original tree owner may be liable for paying for some or all of the costs.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Blackwood?
New Jersey’s state soil type is Downer soil. This type of soil is a fertile, nutrient-filled soil that’s ideal for woodlands and growing strong, healthy trees. Oaks, hickory trees, and pines grow especially well in Downer soil. It is coarse and loamy, which ensures there’s plenty of drainage so root systems can easily grow through the soil. Loamy soil is especially important for younger trees that need to grow their root systems, as overly compact or clay-heavy soil can strangle roots and interrupt their growth.
New Jersey soil is also acidic; while some species thrive in low-pH soil types, it’s not ideal for all tree species. We recommend getting a soil test for your property and applying additives, such as lime, to correct soil acidity, as needed.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Blackwood?
The weather in Blackwood can affect tree health throughout the year. The area is humid, partly cloudy, and wet throughout most of the year, which provides the trees with plenty of water and good growing conditions outside of harsh sunlight. Because of the frequent rain, there’s a limited risk of drought-related damage or slow growth caused due to lack of access to water. If you decide to mulch your trees, we recommend being cautious about trapping moisture in the soil or pressing mulch against the trunk of the tree, which can lead to rot and susceptibility to infestation or infection.
However, the winters can be extremely harsh. Winter temperatures can regularly fall into the twenties and even as low as 13ºF. This, combined with strong, cold winds, can scorch the trees and make the bark crack, leaving them vulnerable to infection and pests in the spring. Strong winds can also break branches and twigs, though it rarely knocks healthy trees over. To protect your trees from winter damage, you can loosely wrap the trunks to protect them from scald and drying out. You should also monitor trees for cracks or broken branches after severe weather so the tree can be properly trimmed or pruned before the spring growing season begins.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Blackwood?
Gloucester Township, which includes Blackwood, is served by Atlantic City Electric. This power company provides electricity to the area and manages the power lines. As part of that responsibility, Atlantic City Electric prunes, trims, and clears away trees that are too close to the power lines because they present a large risk for outages and interruptions.
If you notice a dead or fallen tree on or near power lines in Blackwood, we don’t recommend attempting to remove or shift the tree yourself. Instead, contact the power company to arrange for an assessment and safe tree removal. Trees can conduct electricity and increase the risk of electrical shock in the area, so it’s important to stay away from the tree and contact professionals. In the event of an emergency, you can also contact the city for fast assistance.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Blackwood?
Even when you take good care of your trees, they can sustain fatal damage and need to be removed from your property. Many different factors can impact the total cost of tree removal, such as why you’re having the tree removed, if the area around the tree is potentially hazardous, and even if your neighborhood association requires assessments or permitting to have the tree removed. Most jobs in Blackwood fall between $200 and $1,900, with an average of $725. Some of the most important cost considerations include:
Tree Condition
The condition of your tree impacts every step of the tree removal process. For example, if the tree is still standing and has broken branches or is heavily infested, then our team will need to cut down the tree before removing it. If the tree is on the ground, the condition of the trunk, such as if it is still solid and heavy or rotten and soft, also impacts the process. Our tree assessment professionals can examine the tree and create an estimate based on the project’s unique conditions.
Tree Size
The size of your tree determines the time, amount of equipment, and number of steps involved in the total tree removal process. Larger trees with thick trunks require more time and labor to cut through, and we may also need bigger or more trucks to completely haul them away. Small trees with thin trunks and branches and relatively little foliage are much more manageable and cost less to have removed from your property.
Additional Services
Simply having the tree removed from the premises might not be the only service you need to complete your project or restore your landscape to its previous condition. If the tree is being removed because of fungal infections or invasive pests, our team can apply fungicides and pesticides to the nearby trees to ward off developing problems. You may also want to level your landscape with stump grinding services to remove above-ground stumps and root systems. Our team can help you determine what services are a good fit for your property and landscaping projects.
