Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Edison?
- 2 Does the City of Edison Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Edison?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Edison?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Edison?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Edison?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Edison?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Edison?
The majestic trees in your yard add beauty and a source of shade in the heat. The area has a selection of native and non-native trees. Here are a few types of trees that we see most often in Edison:
- Hazel alder
- Silverbell
- Sweet birch
- Flowering dogwood
- Black spruce
- American holly
- Red oak
Some of these trees grow to stunning heights. It seems like they’re indestructible. However, there may come a time when one of them needs to be removed. You wonder what went wrong. Here are a few of the most common tree issues we see in Edison.
Storm Damage
As the crow flies, Edison is less than 25 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, which leaves the area at risk of landfall from a tropical storm or hurricane in the fall months. The city doesn’t see as many of these storms as Florida, but when they do make landfall in the area, the effects are devastating.
Tropical storms can bring winds that range between 39 and 73 mph, while a hurricane has wind gusts of up to 157 mph and higher. When these high winds whip around your yard, they can tear the roof of your house or knock over a tree in your Edison yard.
These storms bring more than strong winds; they also bring abundant rainfall. If one of these storms stall over the area, you can see flooding and rushing waters as the tide surges.
Moving water can pull your car out of your driveway or damage one of your trees. After the storm passes, it might take days for this water to recede or get absorbed into the ground.
Once all the water soaks into the soil, it takes a while for it to drain. This glut of water in the soil can lead to root rot, a fungal disease, in your trees that can damage or kill them.
After a storm, our team can evaluate any trees that you think might have been damaged and help you choose a treatment plan or make the decision to remove them from your Edison yard.
Winter Weather Damage
Each winter, Edison sees, on average, a little more than 24 inches of snow. While you might enjoy a winter wonderland, it brings extreme temperatures. In fact, on most winter days in Edison, the temperature hovers around the freezing mark and dips into the low to mid-20s after dark.
When the temperature remains so low for days on end, it creates a condition known as a hard freeze. The nutrients and water in your soil freeze during this time. The trees in your Edison yard can’t access the essentials that they need to grow and survive.
As warm temperatures return, your evergreen trees probably weathered these cold temperatures well. However, the other trees in your Edison yard might not bounce back, especially younger trees.
In some cases, you might see a problem early in the spring, but a tree slowly withers and dies. The hard freeze left part of this tree unable to process the nutrient it needs and as time passed, the damage spread to other parts of the tree.
If you think you have a tree damaged during a hard freeze, our team can evaluate its condition and make recommendations for its care.
Does the City of Edison Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
If the tree grows on public land, the City of Edison will take care of the tree, including trimming and removals. However, if the tree grows in your Edison yard, it’s probably on private property, and you’re responsible for removing it. You might find that the tree grows on an easement in your yard, which is public land.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Edison?
The responsible party for removing a fallen tree in Edison is almost always the homeowner. This is because your yard is considered private property. However, there might be an easement on your property owned by the city or a utility company, and they would then remove the tree.
If you’re a homeowner?
Edison’s homeowners are almost always responsible for removing a tree from their private property. There is a chance that the tree grew on an easement, a small parcel of land used by the city or a utility company. In that case, they are responsible for taking care of and removing trees.
If you’re a renter?
Some renters in Edison tend to the routine yard work. This includes things such as mowing the grass, raking leaves, and sweeping walkways, but it doesn’t include removing trees. You need to let your landlord know as soon as you notice a damaged or fallen tree, so they can take care of it.
If you’re a landlord?
As an Edison landlord, you’re probably the homeowner as well. If that’s the case, then you’re responsible for removing the tree even if your current tenant takes care of routine lawn maintenance. Removing a tree isn’t considered routine maintenance.
If you’re a neighbor?
It isn’t unusual for a tall tree to fall into more than one yard, especially in Edison where the yards are small and the houses close together. When a tree that once grew in your neighbor’s yard falls into yours, it’s up to you to remove it. This includes making arrangements and paying for its removal.
However, there is another thing to consider. Some trees are damaged, and the homeowner chooses not to do anything about it. When the tree falls, the neighbor is negligent and liable for any damages to your home and property. It’s always beneficial to talk to your neighbor before taking any legal actions if you want to remain on friendly terms with them.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Edison?
In Edison, the soil type that we see most often is downer soil. This is a loamy soil type and it’s great for growing a green and lush lawn.
It’s able to absorb water well and drain it quickly too. This lowers the risk of certain tree diseases, such as root rot, a fungal disease that affects roots that spend too much time submerged.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Edison?
Yes, the weather in Edison can affect the tree health in your yard. In the fall, hurricanes and tropical storms are potential risks for leaving behind devastation and damaged trees with their high winds and floodwaters.
In the winter months, the snow and freezing temperatures can create a hard freeze that deprives your trees of much-needed nutrients and water. While your trees might appear normal in the early spring, they may later wither and die.
The Edison area sees 10 more inches of rain each year than the national average. This additional rainfall can leave your soil inundated with moisture that can lead to root rot, a fungal disease that can damage or destroy your trees.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Edison?
When a dead tree falls on or near a power line, it creates a dangerous situation. A tree on a power line requires a call to emergency services, while a tree near a power line requires a professional service to remove. This is for your safety.
A dead tree near a power line might grow on an easement owned by the power company. It’s the responsibility of the power company to remove the tree if this is the case.
When the tree isn’t on an easement in your Edison yard, you’re responsible for its removal. Unsure? You can always contact the power company before taking any steps toward removing the tree.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Edison?
We often hear this question in the first few minutes of a call with a new customer. However, we can’t give you an exact cost until we see the tree. The cost of tree removal in Edison ranges between $220 and $1,835 in most cases, with an average cost of around $725. There are a few cost factors to consider:
Tree Removal Permit
The City of Edison requires all homeowners to secure a tree removal permit before cutting down a tree. Conservation is a concern for the city, and they want to control the removal of trees. This permit can add time and expense to the tree removal project.
Tree Condition
After a tree dies, it begins to decay. It doesn’t do this in a uniform manner, so some parts of the tree might disintegrate during the removal process. A badly decayed tree requires additional time to remove and additional security measures to ensure your home and yard aren’t damaged during the process.
Tree Location
The location of your tree in Edison is usually close to your home due to the small yards. When this is the case, our team needs additional safety equipment to ensure that your home isn’t damaged as we remove the tree.
