Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Toledo?
- 2 Does the City of Toledo Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Toledo?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Toledo?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Toledo?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Toledo?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Toledo?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Toledo?
Numerous different diseases, pests, and fungi can negatively affect tree health in Toledo and surrounding communities. Some of the most common hazards include:
Oak Wilt
If your property has oak trees, they’re susceptible to this vascular disease. Bretziella fagacearum is a common pathogen across the Midwest and it presents a risk to all red, black, and white oak varieties. Symptoms of oak wilt include the production of flags, or red-brown patches of leaves that are starting to wither and die. Red and black oak varieties can die within days or weeks of infection and need to be removed immediately before the fungus can spread. White oaks can survive for a year or so after infection but should also be removed or isolated to prevent spread.
Emerald Ash Borers
These pests are a type of invasive insect. They bore into ash trees, killing them within five years of initial contact and spreading to neighboring ash trees. Emerald ash borers leave D-shaped holes in trunks and branches and carve S-shaped tracks under the bark. Other signs of emerald ash borers include slow branch dieback and foliage thinning. Emerald ash borer infestations can be treated, but only if the damage is caught early.
Diplodia Tip Blight
Many of the pine tree varieties popular in Toledo, including Austrian and red varieties, are appealing targets for the Diplodia tip blight fungus. It attacks both young or growing trees and stressed mature trees. One of the most visible indications of this infection is dieback. While trees can survive a single infection, many trees have multiple infections before fully dying and requiring removal.
Does the City of Toledo Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Toledo has tree ordinances designed to make sure trees in public and private spaces meet certain safety, aesthetic, and logistical standards. Many of the city’s ordinances are in regards to trees in public spaces. Under Ordinance 917.08, for example, the city can mandate the removal of a public nuisance tree, i.e., a tree that is diseased or obstructs public thoroughfares. Toledo also has the Toledo Urban Forestry Commission, which advises on and advocates for the city’s urban forests and trees. As an active participant in the Tree City USA Program, Toledo must actively fund urban forestry and maintain a community tree ordinance (among other requirements).
The city also has an established channel for reporting damaged trees. If residents notice damaged trees in private, commercial, or public spaces that may pose a threat to residents, homes, or utility infrastructure in the area, they may report the issue.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Toledo?
In shared or neighboring residential spaces, it can be difficult to know who’s responsible for removing fallen trees. Trees that belong to a private property owner and which fell only on that property are generally the sole responsibility of that property owner. But things can get complicated when multiple stakeholders get involved. Take a look at these common scenarios.
If you’re a homeowner?
If you own the tree and any property affected by the fallen tree, that tree is your responsibility. However, your homeowners insurance policy should have provisions regarding tree damage, especially for fallen trees due to area-typical weather. So contact your insurance provider for more details regarding making a claim and potential cost coverage for the incident.
If you’re a renter?
The landlord is generally held responsible for fallen trees, as well as repairing any structural damage to the property. If a fallen tree damaged the contents of your rented home, your insurance coverage may fully cover the damage. Contact your landlord as soon as possible to inform them of the fallen tree. If you notice that the tree is causing a potential hazard due to proximity to power lines or other utilities, contact the city’s non-emergency lines for assistance.
If you’re a landlord?
Like we briefly discussed above, the landlord (or property owner) is responsible for the removal of fallen trees. Because you own the property, you must maintain the tree, prune, or remove it as necessary, and otherwise maintain the exterior of the property. You or your property management company should start arranging to remove the tree as soon as safely possible.
If you’re a neighbor?
If your neighbor’s tree falls on your property or causes damage to your property on the way down, contact your insurance provider. They should arrange repair and cleanup according to the terms of your precise policy. The tree owner is not responsible for cleanup or repairs unless they were negligent about maintaining the tree and that negligence contributed to the fall.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Toledo?
Toledo is in the Hoytville-Nappanee-Paulding-Toledo soil region of Ohio, which is home to a wide range of soil textures ranging from fine clay to coarse sands. Generally, Toledo soil is known for poor drainage, which makes it difficult for moisture and air to penetrate the soil. Trees can suffer from discolored leaves, easily-broken limbs, and slow growth in clay soil. In fact, most tree varieties prefer loamy, well-draining soils. Property owners can protect their trees’ health by initially planting them in carefully selected topsoil supplements and by installing drainage dishes without disrupting their root systems.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Toledo?
Northern Ohio is home to severe winter weather conditions that can be extremely damaging to trees. Snow and ice present physical danger because the added weight can pile onto tree branches, making them crack or break off. Cold temperatures also make branches brittle, which further contributes to damage. Tree owners can protect trees from sunscald by wrapping the trunks and thickest branches in burlap or other tree wrap material. Wraps can also insulate tree trunks and protect them from pest damage, wind damage, extreme drying, and exposure to road salt.
Along with extreme winter conditions, strong wind storms regularly lead to broken branches and fallen trees in Toledo. Property owners can protect against fallen trees by actively inspecting trees for cracks and signs of damage. If you see deep cracks or splits in the trunk, our Toledo arborists can recommend the next steps.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Toledo?
FirstEnergy Company’s Toledo Edison has an active Vegetation Management Program that keeps incompatible trees and shrubs away from power lines. They encourage residents and commercial services to contact them to report tree problems near their power lines rather than work on trees without the proper safety procedures. They will assess whether the vegetation is dangerously near power lines and if the area needs attention beyond regularly scheduled programs.
Residents can also contact the City of Toledo if they are concerned about trees near power lines or other utility installations.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Toledo?
Removing a tree in Toledo can generally cost between $200 and $1,200, and the average cost is $720. A lot of different factors contribute to the cost in individual circumstances. For example, tree removal during the winter after a large storm may be more expensive than average because of increased demand and adverse conditions. Some of the most impactful factors that can affect the cost of tree removal include:
Size of the Tree
The taller or larger the tree is, the greater the cost for removing it. In general, removing 20-foot trees can cost approximately $200 to $340, and 40-foot trees up to $680. 60-foot trees can cost up to approximately $1,020 to remove, and 80-foot trees cost $1,400 or more. As the tree grows in size, tree removal may require additional tools or vehicles, which drives up the cost. Taller trees can also cause more damage when they fall, leading to additional costs across the project.
Safety Considerations
Complexity and adverse work conditions can increase the cost of your tree removal. Obstacles such as power lines, neighboring structures and installations, other unsafe trees in the area, and if the tree in question is fragile or diseased complicate our approach to removing it. We may need to shut off local power, clear a safe path to the tree, and use a crane or bucket truck. You can also expect dangerous conditions to make the job take more time, and you can expect to pay more for jobs that take the whole day or multiple days.
Additional Services
Depending on why you’re having a tree removed, you may need additional services to make the area safe or aesthetically pleasing again. These services can include:
- Stump grinding – to remove tree stumps or obstructing roots
- Tree trimming and pruning – fallen or dead trees that need to be removed may need to be removed in a sequence of steps. For example, we may cut and haul away large branches before removing the trunk.
- Insecticide, fungicide, and other treatments – if you’re having a diseased tree removed, it’s often advisable to have surrounding trees treated for the underlying cause. This can stop common problems like emerald ash borers, oak wilt, and more from spreading across your property and neighboring properties.
While you’re considering tree removal, consult with your home or property insurance provider to see where your coverage may apply. Your policy may include coverage for removing dead or fallen trees. Your policy may also cover the costs for related repairs and maintenance. If the fallen tree is not an emergency, consulting with your insurance provider before removing the tree can reduce the total cost to yourself or eliminate out-of-pocket costs.
