AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Brick, NJ

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Brick?

As the third largest city in Ocean County and because of Brick Township’s unique location on the Barnegat peninsula, tree issues associated with both marine and urban environments are common. It is important to be aware of the potential issues as trees are vital to maintaining the unique ecosystems of the Jersey Shore. Additionally, the trees planted in Brick play a more critical role in the protection of the city’s infrastructure and preventing flooding.

Pests

There’s nothing worse than just trying to relax when a bug comes along, buzzing in your ear. Trees are also bothered by pests, and in some cases, they can kill your trees. 

The state of NJ is currently under Federal quarantine due to the European gypsy moth, according to the NSDA. While it may look beautiful, with its wings that look a lot like the bark of the trees they choose to inhabit, the caterpillars have a voracious appetite and will be only too happy to make a meal out of your tree. 

This isn’t the only pest that can ruin your tree. The Asian gypsy moth, emerald ash borer beetle, light brown apple moth, Asian longhorned beetle, khapra beetle, and the spotted lanternfly can also wreak havoc on your foliage. 

Disease

As frustrating as it is, there are some diseases that trees can contract that can’t be cured. This can include root diseases and wood-decaying fungi. If your tree is diagnosed with one of these diseases, it will most likely need to be removed. Some diseases are not that contagious, so you may have time to plan things out. On the other hand, if it is contagious, you’ll need to remove the tree sooner rather than later, so you don’t risk other trees becoming infected.

Beech Bark Disease (BBD)

Beech bark disease (BBD) or Nectria coccinea has killed millions of beech trees around America, including New Jersey. It is caused when the beech scale insect damages the bark and vascular tissue of a tree, weakening it. This makes it more susceptible to being attacked by fungus. Signs of infestation include sparse foliage, woolly scales, ooze on trunk, and small, red, fungal fruiting bodies.

Bacterial Leaf Scorch (BLS)

This disease is caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa. It attacks the xylem by restricting the transport of water between the a tree’s roots and leaves. The affected tree will surely die, albeit slowly. The disease is spread by insects that feed on the infected xylem fluid. The bacteria gets transmitted when these same insects feed on healthy plants and trees. Branch dieback, leaf discoloration, and premature falling of leaves may be signs of this disease. Give us a call so we can help you by diagnosing and eliminating the problem.

Girdling

Girdling can occur in tree roots, branches, and trunks and is the result of improper growth. Girdling in trunks and branches usually occurs when a forgien object or obstacle impedes typical growth patterns so the tree must grow in alternate patterns. Bird houses, swings, powerlines, and even buildings can cause girdling that threatens the stability and health of trees.

Root girdling is when roots grow in a circular direction rather than spreading outward. In newly planted and young trees, root girdling can be corrected. However, in older trees the issue becomes much more serious and will likely factor into the health and stability of the tree. 

Does the City of Brick Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?

The township of Brick is more prone to encourage you to plant a tree, as opposed to cutting it down. With this in mind, it’s not that big of a surprise that the township of Brick isn’t willing to help remove trees.

The only exception is when the tree has fallen onto public property due to a storm or onto power lines. This means that if you have a tree on your property that needs to be removed, you’ll have to remove it yourself.

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Brick?

Trying to figure out who is responsible for removing a falling tree is somewhat complicated. It depends on several factors like where the tree lands, how healthy it was before falling, and what the circumstances were that caused it to fall. 

If you’re a homeowner?

There are very few instances that you will not have to remove a tree from your property. With that being said, the right insurance policy can go a long way towards helping cover the cost of removal as well as repairs for any damages done to your property.

If you’re a renter?

In most cases, your landlord will be responsible for helping you remove a fallen tree. There is one exception, however, and that’s if it’s written into your lease. It’s recommended that you carefully read over your lease agreement before signing anything. This will help make you aware of what you’re responsible for, as well as what your landlord’s duties are.

It’s also a good idea to invest in renters insurance. This will help protect you in case the tree should fall on your personal property, such as your car.

If you’re a landlord?

There are very few occasions when a landlord wouldn’t be responsible for removing a fallen tree from the property. The only occasion when you wouldn’t is if you have written it into the lease that the renter will be responsible.

If you’re a neighbor?

This is where things get tricky when it comes to figuring out who is responsible for removing a fallen tree. In the case that a storm hits and your neighbor’s healthy tree falls on your property, it’s your responsibility. The neighbor has done their due diligence by making sure the tree was healthy, and the storm is considered an act of God. Insurance may help cover the cost of removal, but you’ll have to speak to your insurance agent to be sure.

Now, what if the tree in question was not healthy? In that case, your neighbor is responsible for the removal. It is possible that your neighbor may not have known, especially if they’re not able to walk about their property or have a large plot of land. In this case, it’s always a good idea to have a chat with your neighbor and let them know. After that, it’s their responsibility to take action. If they don’t do so in a reasonable amount of time, you can send them a certified letter reminding them of your conversation and fears of the tree falling on your property. This is to help protect you if a storm does hit and the tree falls. In the worst-case scenario, it will help prove to the court that they were aware of the situation, and it will be on them to pay for the cost of removal.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Brick?

According to the USDA, the soil in the township of Brick ranges from poorly drained to well-drained. This means that trees have a very good chance of taking root and growing tall and strong. Some trees may grow better in some types of soil than others, however, so if you have your heart set on a specific tree that you would like to plant, a soil test should be able to tell you how well it will thrive.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Brick?

Brick is prone to flooding due to heavy rains. The township has taken measures to help alleviate the devastating effects a flood can have, but there is only so much the township can do.

According to the township of Brick, they have retained ACT Engineers, Inc. to develop flood mitigation concepts for 13 low-lying areas. ACT has reviewed and enhanced the high-definition aerial topographic mapping and has collected flooding information from residents to support flood mitigation strategies the township may undertake.

Flooding can affect trees by causing unhealthy or dead trees to fall, which can do a lot of damage to your property, especially if it falls on your home. On the flip side, a healthy tree will help prevent flood damage as it keeps soil in place, which in turn prevents erosion. The roots will also be more than happy to soak up some of the excess water. 

While snow at the beach may sound strange, Brick gets an average of 20 inches of snow a year. While snow itself is not that bad for healthy trees, it can weigh down tree branches and cause them to fall. It can also cause trees that are diseased or dead to come crashing down.

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Brick?

While the township of Brick is all for having more trees, it does warn that some trees are brittle and more prone to disease, pests, and storm damage, including ash, black walnut, Callery pear, catalpa, boxelder, American elm, Siberian elm, horse chestnut, mulberry, poplar (Carolina, Lombardi & hybrids), silver maple, sycamore, tree-of-heaven, white pine, and willow trees. 

If your tree is growing near a power line or looks dead, the Jersey Central Power and Light Company will send out a representative from FirstEnergy’s Vegetation Management Program to examine the tree. If it is deemed that the tree is in danger of falling on the neighboring power line, then steps will be taken to remove it or trim it back.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Brick?

There are a lot of factors that will determine how much you’ll pay to have a tree removed in Brick. This includes getting a permit, the size of the tree, and the location. The average cost is around $691, the minimum is $587, and the maximum is $795.

Permit

Before you are allowed to cut down a tree in the township of Brick, you must first file for a tree removal permit. This can be obtained by calling the Engineering Department at (732)-262-1040. 

To get a permit, according to the township of Brick, the cut or fill of land required for the proper development of the land is such that it would be injurious or dangerous to the trees and the tree must be diseased, dead, or likely to cause harm to the public or your neighbors. Give us a call so our team can properly diagnose this and even help you with the permits.

Tree Size

The smaller a tree is, the less it’s going to cost you. On the flip side, bigger trees are going to cost more. Bigger trees will require us to use more equipment and will pose a greater risk to us when cutting them down. If a tree has multiple segments, this will also increase the price as each segment must be cut down separately, and depending on the size, it may require some careful planning. We can give you a proper quote once we see the tree or trees that need removal.

Tree Location

This is a huge deal when cutting down a tree. If it’s in the middle of your yard and isn’t near anything, it’s much easier to remove it than if it’s spent years growing next to your home. If it’s between two buildings, this will also require more time for planning and execution on our end, thereby increasing the price. We want to ensure the least amount of damage to property, so you don’t have to pay for anything else besides tree services.