Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Tahlequah?
- 2 Does the City of Tahlequah Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Tahlequah?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Tahlequah?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Tahlequah?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Tahlequah?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Tahlequah?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Tahlequah?
Trees in Tahlequah face many challenges. Here are the most common pests and diseases that we encounter.
Emerald Ash Borer
These tiny beetles are wreaking havoc on ash trees across North America. The female beetles lay their eggs under the bark of ash trees, and when they hatch, the larvae feed on the tree’s flesh underneath. This damages the flow of nutrients inside the tree and it begins to weaken. You may notice branches that die off as the tree’s nutrient supply is affected. If left untreated, a tree will die in just a few years. Unfortunately, these pests are hard to spot since they spend most of their time inside the tree. If you notice dead branches on your ash tree or any beetles near the bark, call us right away.
Thousand Cankers Disease
This disease affects walnut trees in Tahlequah. Walnut twig beetles carry a fungus that they spread as they burrow under a walnut tree’s bark. This causes cankers to form and disrupts the flow of nutrients to the tree’s branches and leaves. Branches will begin to die back and the tree will become vulnerable to other pests and diseases. Within ten years, the tree will likely die since there is no cure for thousand cankers disease. If your walnut tree needs attention, have us assess the tree as soon as possible.
Pine Wilt
Pine wilt is a disease that is caused by tiny worms called pinewood nematodes with the help of small beetles called sawyers. The beetles carry these worms into the tree’s branches, and once inside, the worms begin to reproduce and disrupt the flow of nutrients inside the tree. Quickly, the tree will begin to wilt and die. Unfortunately, there is no cure for pine wilt, but these pests can quickly spread to surrounding pine trees in the area. If you have a concern about pine wilt, ask us to assess your tree. We usually recommend that the tree is removed and either chipped or burned to prevent the spread of these destructive pests.
Pecan Scab
This fungal condition causes small circular spots to appear on the leaves of pecan trees. The spots will slowly increase in size and turn black as the leaves eventually die. If left untreated, pecan scab will kill all the leaves on a tree, leaving it vulnerable to other infestations and diseases. This condition usually occurs during the spring, when there’s been an excessive amount of rain. Our arborists use a combined approach to treat pecan scab. We typically prune away infected limbs and apply a specially formulated fungicide to the tree.
Japanese Beetles
Each summer, Japanese beetles attack the trees and shrubs in Tahlequah. They feed off of the leaves of many species of trees, and although they won’t kill a tree, their voracious appetites leave trees with damaged foliage. This causes trees to be weakened and vulnerable to other infestation and disease. We’ve found several pesticides to be successful at keeping Japanese beetles away from trees so they can remain healthy and pest-free all summer long.
Does the City of Tahlequah Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
If you need to have your tree or street tree removed from your property, you need to call us to have it removed. The city does not assist in tree removal, but if you trim your trees and have branches to clean up, the Street Department will pick them up for you, free of charge. When you’ve finished pruning your trees, just call (918) 456-4661 within 72 hours and leave them along the side of the road.
Additionally, the city has a Tahlequah Municipal Airport Zoning Ordinance that requires all trees within 2.65 miles of the airport to be less than 75 feet tall. If the city finds your tree to be over the height limit, they’ll warn you to have the branches trimmed or the tree cut down. If you aren’t compliant, the city can fine you up to $500 per day and can even put you in jail for up to a year.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Tahlequah?
When a tree falls, things can get messy pretty fast. Let’s explore a few situations so you know who’s responsible in case a tree falls on your property.
If you’re a homeowner?
Homeowners are responsible for all the trees on their properties. That means you should be pruning and assessing your trees regularly for any signs of disease or infestation. If one should fall during a storm or other unforeseen event, your homeowners insurance will cover the cost. You will only be responsible for paying the deductible.
If you’re a renter?
Renters do not own their properties, so they’re not responsible for maintaining their homes or the trees that surround them. If you’re a renter and a tree falls on your property, your landlord will handle the cleanup.
If you’re a landlord?
Landlords are responsible for the upkeep of all the homes and landscapes on their rental properties. You should be regularly pruning your trees and checking them for signs of distress. If one falls, your insurance will cover the damage. You will only be responsible for paying your deductible.
If you’re a neighbor?
If a neighbor’s tree falls onto your property, your homeowners insurance will pay to have it removed. Similarly, your neighbor’s insurance will pay to have a tree removed that has fallen onto their property. Things can get messy when insurance companies believe that a tree had been neglected. If that’s the case, your insurance company may go after your neighbor’s for payment.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Tahlequah?
The soil in Tahlequah is a very gravelly silty loam. This particular soil contains a lot of gravel which lets water drain freely through it. Unfortunately, this excessive drainage makes it difficult for plants to absorb the water quickly enough and they can die. It’s also prone to erosion during heavy rainfall, causing roots to be exposed and trees to become unstable.
To amend your soil, you can mix compost around your tree’s base. This will help the soil become denser, helping water stick around long enough for the roots to soak it up. Compost will also help the soil to stay put during a flash flood.
Additionally, you can add a layer of mulch around your tree’s base. At a depth of three to six inches, the mulch will help the soil retain moisture and protect your tree’s roots from the elements.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Tahlequah?
Tahlequah is located in the heart of Tornado Alley, and the city sees quite a bit of severe weather each spring. Trees in Tahlequah are strong and they’ve learned to adapt to gusting winds and flash floods. As if that’s not enough, winter weather brings frequent ice and frost that can weigh down weakened branches, causing them to snap.
To help your trees stay firmly rooted in the soil, it’s important to make sure they’re strong and healthy. Most trees that fall during a storm were already weakened by disease or infestation. Regularly prune away dead branches and have an arborist check your trees for signs of distress each year. A little preventative care from you or our team will go a long way in keeping your trees upright during a storm.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Tahlequah?
Lake Region Electric Cooperative, or LREC for short, sends its crews out regularly to prune the street trees in Tahlequah. The company is responsible for pruning all the branches that interfere with service lines throughout the city and removing trees that are unable to be pruned successfully. Fortunately, LREC does all of this at no cost to you and they’ll clean up any debris they create. If you notice a tree that needs to be pruned, you can submit a tree work request and they’ll take care of the problem.
It is your responsibility as a homeowner to prune the branches that grow near your service line. We always recommend that you hire us to take care of any tree trimming near electric lines. If you want to call LREC ahead of time, they’ll shut off your power so you can prune your trees safely.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Tahlequah?
Tree removal is Tahlequah costs, on average, around $550, but your price can vary by hundreds of dollars in either direction. When calculating your cost, we’ll consider several factors. The biggest factors are:
Tree Size
Our arborists will measure your tree’s height and the diameter of its trunk. This factor will be the biggest in determining the price you’ll pay to have your tree removed. A large tree with lots of foliage will take much more time and manpower to remove and will cost you more than a smaller tree.
Tree Location
If your tree is near your home or power lines, we’ll need to take additional safety measures. These will likely be added to your bill. Rest assured that we will take great care to protect your home, but we’ll expect to be compensated for the extra effort.
Stump Grinding
We don’t usually include the cost of stump grinding in our tree removal quote. If you’d like to have yours ground, we’ll be happy to add it to your bill at an additional charge. Luckily, this usually costs far less than the price you’d pay to rent a machine to do it yourself.