Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Oklahoma City?
- 2 Does The City of Oklahoma City Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Oklahoma City?
- 4 How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Oklahoma City?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Oklahoma City?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines In Oklahoma City?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Oklahoma City?
What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City’s trees are exceptionally resilient as they grow in an area of the country that faces many obstacles. Some of these include severe weather, disease, and pests. When it comes to weather, Oklahoma City faces a variety of extreme weather conditions that trees must endure. Severe weather poses a threat to Oklahoma City’s trees each year. Strong storms bring forceful winds and tornadoes to the area that can uproot mature trees or rip off branches, leaving trees unstable and at risk of falling. In the winter, ice storms can weigh down limbs, causing them to break, severely injuring trees, and even causing large trees to fall. Oklahoma City has also faced droughts that leave trees unstable, sick and dying.
If a tree has suffered weather-related damage, it becomes more susceptible to disease and infestation. Some common pests found in Oklahoma City include the emerald ash borer. These beetles lay eggs under the bark of mature ash trees and the larvae emerge once they’ve grown. If left untreated, these beetles will kill a tree and it will need to be removed. Oklahoma City parks have nearly 500 ash trees that are closely monitored for any evidence of emerald ash borers.
Other pests and diseases that threaten Oklahoma City’s trees include:
- Powdery mildew
- Bagworms
- Leaf and needle blight
- Bot and biscogniauxia caker
- Cedar-apple rust
- Lecanium scale insects
- Dutch elm disease
- Crape myrtle bark scale
Each of these pests and diseases can quickly infect a healthy tree, leaving it dying or dead and at risk of falling down. If this happens, it’s important to have it removed quickly to avoid your tree falling, causing property damage or injury.
Does The City of Oklahoma City Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?
If you’re in need of tree removal in Oklahoma City, you may want to apply for the Hazardous Tree Removal Program. The Strong Neighborhoods Initiative created this program to help homeowners with the cleanup of debris as well as the removal of hazardous limbs and dying trees. The program is funded by Oklahoma City’s CDBG Program and HUD, and if you qualify, your tree removal will be completely free. Homeowners who live within the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative boundary lines qualify for this program.
You don’t need to have a permit in order to have a tree removed on your property, but our arborist will need to follow strict guidelines set forth by the city. Rest assured that our experts know how to safely remove your trees while adhering to all of Oklahoma City’s tree removal guidelines.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Oklahoma City?
Since Oklahoma City experiences such extreme weather conditions and trees are exposed to abnormally high winds, storm damage lawyers have become local referees for neighborhood disputes. When a tree falls, who is responsible for the tree’s removal? These situations are always complex and emotionally charged and depend on several factors. Here’s what local lawyers have to say:
If you’re a homeowner?
If you have a healthy tree that falls unexpectedly due to a storm or other “acts of God,” your homeowners insurance policy will likely pay for the removal and damages ensued. If your insurance company is able to prove that your tree had been sick, neglected, or dead, it will be deemed a hazard and you will likely have to pay for the damages yourself.
If you’re a renter?
As a renter, you do not own the property or anything on it, including your residence or the landscaping that surrounds it. If a tree falls, you are not responsible for paying for the tree removal or any damages it has caused. If your car or personal belongings have been damaged, you may need to contact a lawyer for help. They will ensure that your damages are covered by your landlord’s insurance company.
If you’re a landlord?
Landlords are responsible for providing maintenance on the trees within their rental property limits. If a healthy tree falls due to an “act of God,” your homeowners insurance policy will cover the tree’s removal. If it can be proven that the tree fell as a result of negligence, you will be at fault. Make sure you take care of the trees on all of your residential properties to avoid being at fault if a tree does, in fact, fall.
If you’re a neighbor?
Local storm damage lawyers are often involved in disputes between neighbors. When a tree falls over property lines, the scope of responsibility can get muddy and neighbors are often left pointing fingers when it’s time to pay. If a tree falls on your own property, your homeowner’s insurance company will cover the fees for removal and any property damage that it caused. If it falls on your neighbor’s yard, their insurance will generally cover the fees. Things get complicated when insurance companies are able to prove that a homeowner was not properly maintaining their trees. If your insurance company can prove that your neighbor’s tree fell onto your property as a result of negligence, they will likely go after your neighbor’s homeowners insurance for payment.
How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City soil can range in consistency from clay to sandy soil. The consistency of your soil will determine how well it can hold moisture and nutrients that trees need to grow and thrive. The Oklahoma City Planning Department created a booklet titled “Putting Down Roots” that details how to plant and successfully grow trees in central Oklahoma. On page 7, the booklet discusses the city’s alkaline soil and ways to improve your soil’s pH. Some of these examples include adding fertilizer and organic matter to your soil.
Oklahoma City also provides resources so you can test your soil at home. Making sure your tree has healthy soil is one of the best ways to ensure that it will grow big and strong, and strong trees are less likely to get sick.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City faces extreme weather from freezing temperatures and ice storms to severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Since it’s located at the heart of Tornado Alley, Oklahoma City trees see their fair share of severe weather. Tornadoes sweep through the area each year, uprooting trees young and old, leaving a path of branches on rooftops and tangled in power lines above. Storm damage is one of the leading causes of tree removal in Oklahoma City. If your tree has been damaged by a storm, call our experts and we’ll assess whether it needs to be removed.
In addition to spring and summer storms, winter ice storms cause significant damage to Oklahoma City trees. The added weight of ice can cause tree branches to snap, leaving them injured and dying. Even Oklahoma City’s iconic Survivor Tree fell victim to an ice storm in October 2020 and was carefully nursed back to health by local arborists.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines In Oklahoma City?
The Public Service Company of Oklahoma regularly provides maintenance to trees near power lines in Oklahoma City. If you notice overgrown branches that are interfering with your power lines, fill out their online form and let the professionals take care of it. If you notice power lines that are down or your tree falls into the lines, call their emergency number at 888-218-3919. They are available 24 hours a day to assist with emergency issues.
As a homeowner, you are responsible for tree limbs or dead trees that are near power lines that run from a pole directly to your home. You can contact the Public Service Company of Oklahoma to temporarily disconnect your electricity while you have the limbs or tree removed. If the tree or limbs are interfering with power lines between utility poles, they will handle the removal themselves.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Oklahoma City?
Tree removal in Oklahoma City is often needed after a series of strong storms pass through the area or an ice storm hits. According to our records, the job typically costs around $500. In order to get an exact quote for your specific need, you’ll need to contact our experts. When it comes to tree removal, every job is as unique as its final price. Here are a few factors that help determine your tree removal cost:
Tree Size
When it comes to tree removal, the general rule is “the bigger the tree, the higher the price.” Large trees have many branches that will need to be pruned before the tree can be removed and the overall process will require more manpower and time. Smaller trees are often easier jobs that will take fewer resources to complete. The size of your tree can greatly affect your final price so make sure you contact our arborists for a quote.
Location
The location of your tree will impact the final price for its removal. If your tree is near a building, like your home or garage, it will require more work to remove. We take great pride in protecting your property from damage while we safely remove your trees and this will be reflected in your final price. Similarly, if your tree is near power lines, the price will increase as well, as additional safety measures will need to be taken to remove the tree.
Accessibility
If your tree is near a drivable surface, it will be easy to access and remove. If it is off the beaten path and far from a drivable surface, your price will likely increase. Our experts will find a way to remove your tree, no matter its location, but the added work will be reflected in your overall price.
