Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Albany?
- 2 Does the City of Albany Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Albany?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Albany?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Albany?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Albany?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Albany?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Albany?
Your trees can be affected by several things that can affect their health and stability. It’s vital to pay close attention to your trees so you can spot any signs of illness, pests, or other problems. Generally, a tree that’s losing leaves out of season, dead branches, and leaves turning yellow or brown in some areas are signs your tree is in distress. Common ailments that affect trees in Albany include:
Insect Infestations
Insects are essential for trees and other plants to flower and fruit. On the other hand, insects can be damaging to your trees. Tree leaves, bark, sap, and roots are a food source for several insects in Albany. Although a few insects may be something your tree can overcome, large infestations are devastating. Some of the insects that affect trees here include:
- Asian Longhorned Beetle
- Emerald Ash Borer
- Gypsy Moth
- Southern Pine Beetle
- Spotted Lanternfly
- Tent Caterpillars
Tree Diseases
In addition to insect pests, trees can also be infected with a disease. Most often, tree diseases are caused by a fungal infection. For most tree diseases, treatment is an option if it’s diagnosed early. However, if your tree contracts Dutch Elm Disease, it must be removed as there is no known treatment, and the disease will spread if the tree remains. Other diseases to look out for according to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation include:
- Beech Leaf Disease
- Oak Wilt Disease
Tree and Root Damage
It’s a good idea to keep your trees trimmed, not just so they look good but also so they grow strong and sturdy. But, if you’re not careful, you can damage your trees by attempting do-it-yourself tree trimming. It’s not just the cutting that causes harm to the tree. If you roll over the root system with heavy equipment, you can dislodge the soil, disrupting the plant’s ability to feed itself. Other ways your trees can sustain damage include:
- Broken branches and limbs
- Collisions that cause wounds in the bark
- Concrete or other materials crushing roots
- Worn bark due to something being tied around the tree
Does the City of Albany Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
You’re unlikely to get any help from the City of Albany to have a troublesome tree removed from your property. That is unless you have received notification that one or more of your trees are diseased and need to be removed. If you don’t heed the warning and have the tree taken care of, the city will do it for you, and they’ll send you the bill for the tree removal.
If a tree that’s on public property poses a threat, then you’ll need to contact the Department of General Services Forestry Division to have them take care of it. The City of Albany manages all aspects of the planting, maintaining, and removing trees on city property.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Albany?
As mentioned above, if a tree falls on public property in Albany, it’s up to the city to remove it. But what about private property? Who’s responsible for cleaning up a fallen tree? If the tree falls due to a natural act such as heavy winds, rain, or lightning strike, these are outside forces beyond your control, and you’re not liable. If, however, you didn’t take care of a tree you knew was damaged or dead, you might have to pay up.
If you’re a homeowner?
Anytime one of the trees on your Albany property falls in your yard or on your home or other structure, you’ll be the one to clean it up. Your homeowner’s insurance policy may cover certain things, such as damage to your home. In most cases, however, removing the fallen tree, branches, limbs, and debris won’t be covered under a homeowners’ policy.
If you’re a renter?
One of the nice things about renting instead of owning is that you’re relieved of many of the responsibilities that come with ownership, such as fallen tree removal. If a tree falls on your Albany rental property, your landlord will likely be liable for it but double-check your lease agreement to make sure. Your renter’s insurance policy should cover any damages to your personal property, but again, double-check.
If you’re a landlord?
It’s your responsibility to maintain your rental property so that it’s safe for your tenants. That includes taking care of the trees by trimming, removing dead branches and limbs, and removing dangerous trees from the property. If a tree falls, it’s up to you to quickly have it removed, so your tenants can safely occupy the home.
If you’re a neighbor?
Most often, if an otherwise healthy tree falls onto your property from an adjacent lot due to natural causes, it’s going to be up to you to have it removed. If you can prove beyond a doubt, however, that the owner of the tree knew it was damaged and neglected to take care of it, you may not have to pay for the cleanup. The hard part is proving that the neighbor did, indeed, neglect the tree.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Albany?
Honeoye soils are predominant in Upstate New York, and they’re agriculturally important. Because of the well-drained, loamy soil, it’s also possible for trees to grow tall and strong. One thing to watch out for with your Albany trees is the effect of expansive soils on the root system. When soil becomes saturated with water, it expands, presses the root system, and causes the tree to become unstable.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Albany?
Weather always has an impact on the health and well-being of the trees in your Albany yard. Whether it’s strong spring thunderstorms, dry summer conditions, or harsh winter cold and ice, your trees are constantly under threat. Calling us in to keep your trees properly trimmed can help mitigate some of the damage that Albany’s weather can inflict on trees, but sometimes the forces of nature win, and trees succumb to the damage and die.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Albany?
Trees and power lines are never a good combination. Standing dead trees are hazardous as their structural integrity is questionable. In an instant, a dead tree can snap, come in contact with the power line, and cause damage or injury. You’re responsible for removing trees and vegetation from the low-voltage service drop to your home in Albany. Be sure to call us to trim back any trees or vegetation and avoid planting anything under power lines.
When a dead tree is close to anything high-voltage, whether it’s on your property or city property, or if a tree has fallen onto a power line, that’s an entirely different story. The electric power company is in charge of the power lines, and they have the training, tools, and equipment to deal with dead trees safely. If you have concerns about a tree in your neighborhood or anywhere else in the City of Albany, get in contact with National Grid right away to have it addressed.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Albany?
We can’t say exactly how much it will cost you to have a standing dead or fallen tree is taken care of. The cost of having a tree removed in Albany depends upon a few factors. It can cost as little as $200 to over $2,000 per tree. Some of the factors that will come into play when we go about determining your tree removal costs include:
Size of Trees
When it comes to tree removal, size certainly matters. Large, mature trees are much more difficult to remove safely than young trees. We need to bring in heavy equipment, extra rigging, and additional crew for particularly large trees. Big trees mean the branches are big and heavy, and there is a lot more debris to clean up when one falls. Removing all the wood and debris requires big trucks and heavy equipment in addition to the tree removal equipment and crew.
Number of Trees
There are some instances when removing several trees is necessary, such as if you’re clearing a lot to build or if you’re cleaning up extensive storm damage. If you need us to remove a number of trees from your Albany property, you can expect to be billed for the number of trees being removed. In addition, your tree removal bill may include stump grinding or removal, hauling away the wood, limbs, branches, and debris.
Location of Trees
Trees in open areas, free of structures, power lines, and other trees, are the easiest, least expensive to have removed. If the trees you need to remove are in a particularly difficult place to access, we’ll need to bring in special equipment to manage the job safely. We’ll also need additional crew members to make sure that we can get the job done on time. Additional tools, equipment, and labor always mean higher costs.