AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN White Plains, NY

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in White Plains?

Located in Westchester County, NY, White Plains is a popular place for workers that commute to Manhattan to live. It also has its own share of large businesses and has rapidly grown in the last few decades. It is a relatively urban area located about halfway between the Hudson River and the Long Island Sound. It has been a Tree City USA community for over 37 years. The city is also located in a humid subtropical climate, leading to some distinct problems for trees.

• Climate: Though White Plains is not located directly along the Atlantic Ocean, it is still in a high-risk hurricane zone and sees a high number of hurricanes every year. Even in a more subtropical climate, the city also sees a large amount of snow and blizzards in the winter. High winds, flooding, and thunderstorms also contribute to tree-related problems, such as broken branches and uprooted trees.
• Disease: Hemlock, evergreen, and spruce trees in White Plains are vulnerable to insects such as spider mites and wooly adelgids, and birch trees are susceptible to birch leafminers and the bronze birch borer beetle. Cedar trees can be damaged by cedar apple rust, which can also be devastating for apple trees, as the name suggests.
• Protected Trees: The city has designated specific trees as protected, including red and white dogwood, copper beech, black walnut, mulberry, and birch trees. Additionally, trees with a diameter of 12 inches or greater, or a crown spread of more than 15 feet, are also considered protected. 

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

The City of White Plains does not provide much assistance with tree removals. They typically will only remove trees blocking a city street or other right-of-way, and trees that fall on private property are usually the owner’s responsibility to remove. The city maintains areas of the city’s right-of-way and trees in parks and other public spaces, including routine tree trimming.

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in White Plains?

If a tree falls and needs to be removed, it is not always a straightforward matter of determining if it is your responsibility or someone else’s. You might wonder who is responsible if your tree falls into your neighbor’s yard or your neighbor’s tree falls into your yard, you or your neighbor? And if a tree from your yard falls into the street, is the city responsible, or are you? Who is responsible if you rent your home, you or your landlord? Let’s take a look.

If you’re a homeowner?

If the tree comes from your yard, regardless of where it falls, the removal and cleanup is almost always your responsibility. If the tree is considered a shared tree, it is typically the responsibility of both property owners. Additionally, if there was an existing problem with a tree that you knew about and did not take steps to fix it, it will be your responsibility to remove it and pay for any damage if that tree falls. And the majority of the time, homeowner’s policies will not pay for removal or any damage in this case. 

If you’re a renter?

If you are renting your home, it is usually not your responsibility to clean up or remove a tree that fell in your yard. But you should check to make sure your lease does not state that it would be your responsibility to remove any fallen trees. In either case, you need to promptly call your landlord if a tree falls on the house or a tree from the property you are renting falls anywhere else on the property or onto someone else’s property. Most of the time, your renters’ insurance should cover any associated costs with damage from a fallen tree. However, if you were responsible for the tree falling, your renter’s insurance will probably not cover those costs, and your landlord will likely also require you to pay for the damages and/or removal of the tree.

If you’re a landlord?

Unless your rental agreement states otherwise, as the property owner, your responsibilities are the same as a homeowner; you are responsible for any tree removal or clean-up. In either situation, you should work with your renter to facilitate quick clean-up and removal if necessary. If it turns out your renter did something that caused the tree to fall, it is reasonable and typically within your rights as a landlord to request that the renter pays for any damages, as well as removal. 

If you’re a neighbor?

Typically, unless it is considered a shared tree, such as a boundary or border tree, it will generally be their responsibility to have it removed if your neighbor’s tree falls into your yard. If it is a shared tree, you are typically able to trim branches on your property. However, neither you nor your neighbor can actually remove the tree without the other person’s consent. Additionally, if you remove a tree or even trim a tree that is not on your property, you may be required to pay double or even triple the cost of replacing the tree. If you have any concerns about trees on your neighbor’s property, it is a good idea to discuss those concerns with them prior to anything happening. However, unless the tree poses a threat, they are generally not required to remove it if they do not want to. 

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in White Plains?

The soil found in White Plains is mostly composed of loamy soil, with some silt and very fine sand. Most of the soil in the area is moderately well to well-drained, with some areas of excessively drained soil. The soil in this area is generally very deep and formed in gravelly glacial till and sandy or gravelly deposits. In general, the soil has moderate to moderately rapid permeability, is acidic, provides nutrients, and retains water without oversaturation. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in White Plains?

Yes, White Plains sees on average 51 inches of rainfall annually and an average of 30 inches of snowfall annually. The summers are warm, humid, and wet, and the winters are very cold, and it is partly cloudy throughout the year. White Plains also sees a large number of hurricanes, as well as blizzards and thunderstorms. Hurricanes and thunderstorms can cause severe damage to trees, and large amounts of snow can cause branches to break from the weight of the snow. 

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in White Plains?

Whether the tree is dead or not prior to falling, trees that fall either on or near power lines can be very dangerous, and you should never attempt to remove them. Due to the high number of snowstorms and hurricanes, White Plains sees, downed trees or branches on power lines can, unfortunately, be very common. Con Edison does scheduled trimming of trees that interfere with power lines that run from pole to pole, but not for service lines running to your home. If you need to trim trees near service lines on your property, you should contact them first so that they can turn off the power, and then call us for removal or trimming. If you live near a distribution or transmission right-of-way, they will notify you about one month before any tree trimming and get your consent for any trees that need to be removed completely. They also remove trees and branches from power lines that fall due to storms, but the debris will be not be removed. It is the responsibility of either the property owner or the city to remove post-storm debris.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in White Plains?

Every tree removal is different, and so it is difficult to provide set prices. In White Plains, on average, it can cost between $639 and $862 to remove a tree, and most jobs fall under $2,000. Based on why the tree is being removed, your homeowner’s insurance, minus any deductible, may cover some or all of the cost. Larger trees generally require a permit for removal, which can increase your costs. Our arborists and tree trimmers can either supply or help you apply for any permits you may need.

Tree Size

The size of a tree is almost always the largest influence on how much removing it will cost. Larger trees, both in height and width, require more time and resources, making them more expensive. For taller trees, the safest and most commonly used method is the top-down method. This involves cutting sections of the tree, starting at the top and working down. This process requires more time and resources as one person cannot safely do it, which will increase the cost.

Location

In a more rural area, removing a tree is generally much easier than in an urban area. However, White Plains is not rural and is one of the more densely populated cities in New York. Planning is required before any tree removal, and your cost can be influenced by the extra resources we need. 

Condition

In general, removing a tree that has already fallen is less expensive. However, this only accounts for costs related to removing the tree and not the damage the tree caused on its way down. Trees that are diseased or partially decayed can often be more expensive because there is more planning necessary before removal. Being able to control how a tree falls as much as possible is one of the most important factors in safely removing it. Trees that are decaying could fall unexpectedly and cause more damage, making the removal of these trees much more difficult for our crews.