Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Oneonta?
- 2 Does the City of Oneonta Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Oneonta?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Oneonta?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Oneonta?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Oneonta?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Oneonta?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Oneonta?
Oneonta, New York is a gorgeous little city located in Otsego County. Because it’s situated on the northern edge of the Appalachian Region, it is frequently referred to as the “City of the Hills”. Oneonta is surrounded by plenty of forests and other natural attractions, making it an appealing place for nature lovers to live. Because our community is so connected to nature, we think it’s important that everyone is aware of the common tree issues we see in Oneonta to report them and get them taken care of promptly. The 3 most common tree issues we deal with are emerald ash borers, gypsy moths, and leaf scorch.
Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald Ash Borers (EABs) are a highly problematic pest that can impact all types of ash trees that are native to New York. These beetles are small, and they have a shiny green shell. They appear most commonly in June and July, but they can also be spotted as early as May and as late as September. When a tree is attacked by EABs, they generally have 2 to 4 years before they die.
When an EAB lays eggs beneath the bark of an ash tree, the larvae begin eating the inner bark once they hatch. This drastically weakens the plant’s circulatory system, making it difficult for it to transport nutrients and water from the soil to its many branches. As a result, one of the first signs of an EAB attack is leaf yellowing or browning and branch dieback toward the top of the tree. Larvae leave behind distinct S-shaped carvings and D-shaped exit holes once they become beetles.
One of the best ways to slow the spread of EABs is by only using firewood in the region it is found. EABs can easily spread when someone transports logs or large branches from one region to another, bringing larvae or fully-grown beetles with them.
Gypsy Moths
Gypsy moths can be another problematic pest in central New York, though their populations tend to skyrocket only once every 7 to 10 years. This is largely thanks to a natural fungus that causes a disease in gypsy moths and keeps their populations low, especially when we experience cool and wet springs. When this fungus isn’t as widespread, gypsy moths often take over because they aren’t native to New York, and they have no natural predators here.
Gypsy moths harm trees by laying their eggs on the bark, and their larvae also feast on the tree in a way that stunts their growth. Their larvae eat the leaves of trees, and they can completely defoliate even large and healthy trees in seemingly no time at all. This makes it difficult, or impossible, for trees to capture sunlight for the photosynthesis process, and it can cause trees a great deal of stress.
These pests don’t always kill trees, as the trees are usually able to grow new leaves the next spring, but repeated defoliation from EABs in consecutive years can lead to tree death.
Leaf Scorch
Leaf scorch is a condition that makes leaves appear as if they have been burned in a fire; they turn brown or yellow and begin to shrivel or droop. Leaf scorch often occurs when trees are stressed, either due to drought or pest invasions, especially when they cannot transport an adequate water supply from their roots to their leaves.
Signs of leaf scorch occur most often toward the top of the tree, or even on one side of a tree, and it gradually makes its way over all the leaves as it progresses. Leaf scorch is sometimes also caused by root rot, which renders roots unable to absorb water from the soil, or if too much fertilizer has been applied at one time.
Once leaf scorch begins to show itself, there isn’t much one can do to return dehydrated leaves to their former glory, but managing a tree’s watering properly can help the tree slowly recover.
Does the City of Oneonta Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The City of Oneonta has an Engineering Department and City Forester that regularly inspects public grounds and determines whether trees or limbs must be removed to maintain public safety. The City also offers regular yard waste and brush pickup, though limbs must be less than 4 feet in length and 3 inches in diameter.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Oneonta?
Dealing with a fallen tree is never fun, especially when you become the one that has to pay for it. When it comes to figuring out who is responsible for tree removal, there are a few rules of thumb that apply to most situations.
If you’re a homeowner?
People who own their property also own the trees on it, meaning that it is their responsibility to properly manage and maintain their property’s trees. This also includes contacting us for tree removal services and footing the bill when a tree falls on your property.
If you’re a renter?
Renters are rarely responsible for having a fallen tree on their rental property removed since they aren’t the actual owners. This task is usually handled by the property owner unless there is a clause in the rental agreement that assigns this responsibility to renters.
If you’re a landlord?
Landlords are legally obligated to keep their properties safe and free of hazards for their tenants and other members of the community. This means that they are responsible for getting fallen trees removed unless their rental agreement says otherwise.
If you’re a neighbor?
We have seen many neighborly disputes begin with a tree that falls from one neighbor’s yard to another because the person who owns the property the tree fell on becomes liable for having it cleaned up. It’s always best to talk about these matters and come to an agreement with your neighbors before this happens, and many neighbors decide to split bills with one another when this occurs.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Oneonta?
Soil significantly affects tree health, though it’s an often-overlooked aspect of tree care. Trees get many key nutrients from the soils, and soils that are packed with enough clay provide trees with enough time to absorb water after a rainfall. On the other hand, soils that have too much clay can drown roots by holding onto water for too long, which can lead to root rot. Soil with too much sand tends to drain too quickly, leaving trees parched.
The only way to tell what kind of soil you are working with is to have a soil test done on your property, as soil composition can vary widely from acre to acre. Soil tests can provide you with a detailed report about your soil’s nutrient content, pH, and so much more, allowing you to intervene when necessary to improve the health of your trees.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Oneonta?
We tend to get a bit more rain and snow per year than the national average, and we also get fewer sunny days than is typical. Our native trees are quite resilient in these conditions, but high volumes of rain or snowfall in a short amount of time can weaken trees by reducing the oxygen content in the soil. Bacteria and fungus thrive in moist conditions, so this can become highly problematic for trees in our area.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Oneonta?
NYSEG trims trees and takes care of dead trees near power lines on a rotating schedule, but homeowners are responsible for trimming back their own trees that grow near lines connected directly to their home. If you see a tree with branches touching a power line, or a tree that has knocked over power lines, contact the power company as soon as possible and stay away from the scene.
Trees can conduct electricity, and it’s dangerous to go near a tree that is touching a power line.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Oneonta?
The average cost of having a tree removed in Oneonta is about $600, but you may be charged much more (up to around $2,000) or much less (as little as $175) depending upon the circumstances. Three of the largest considerations we take into account when calculating a tree removal bill are the size of the tree, where the tree is located, and whether we are requested to provide other services.
Tree Size
Larger trees take much longer to remove, and we often have to bring in more staff members to complete the job safely. For this reason, larger trees tend to cost much more to remove than smaller trees that can be removed in a couple of hours and with fewer people.
Tree Location
Trees that are rooted near homes or are in hard-to-reach places are much more difficult to remove safely, as there is a risk of limbs falling on the property if we don’t take proper precautions. For this reason, we often have to bring in specialized equipment or use more complicated tree removal techniques to keep our staff and your family safe, but it will cost a bit extra. Even still, these extra costs are worth every penny, as it’s more expensive to pay for repairs if a tree or limb comes crashing down.
Other Services Provided
When we remove trees that are dead or dying because of a disease or pest, we usually recommend allowing us to take other precautions to protect the remaining trees on your property from succumbing to the same fate. We can apply fungicides or pesticides to nearby trees to reduce the odds that your other trees will also have to be removed in the future. This may cost a bit more upfront, but it can save you thousands of dollars if it means that you don’t have to call us back to remove more trees on your property.