Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Beaverton?
- 2 Does the City of Beaverton Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Beaverton?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Beaverton?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Beaverton?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Beaverton?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Beaverton?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Beaverton?
A major issue for trees in Beaverton is improper pruning leading to suckers. As many people in Beaverton are responsible for trees adjacent to their property, some make the decision to neglect or ignore proper care. This leads to poor pruning, and in combination to the stresses trees normally face when planted within the concrete, causes suckers to sprout up.
Insects can also cause problems for trees in Beaverton. Termites are a problem for all kinds of wood, though other species of pest are also particularly bad in the area. The Douglas-fir tussock moth (Orgyia pseudotsugata) lives throughout Oregon and can sometimes be found in Beaverton feeding on fir trees. The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is also present in the region in small numbers, devouring the leaves as adults and attacking the roots as larvae.
Beaverton is generally not the location of most major natural disasters. The exception to this is flooding, which Beaverton has a long history with. Areas near Beaverton Creek are most likely to flood, with floods typically happening during the winter months. Like most other things, trees could be knocked over or swept away during a flood, causing major damage to the land and property. While earthquakes and landslides are possible, they’re very unlikely to happen.
Climate may also become an issue for trees within the coming years. Within the last five years, Oregon has experienced four of its hottest summers on record. While many of the trees within Beaverton are resistant to the heat, others will not fare quite as well if this trend continues. Additionally, the wildfires along the west coast could pose a danger to Beaverton and surrounding cities if they continue to increase in scope and number.
Does the City of Beaverton Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Beaverton does not currently offer assistance in tree removal specifically. While the city does annually prune over 20,000 trees and leaf removal in public spaces, the city tasks its residents with removing the trees on private property themselves. Additionally, the city may require residents to obtain permits to remove trees, as some trees within the city are considered important to the environment and community. The need for permits may be waived in certain situations, like if a tree is hazardous and recognized as such by the City Arborist. Either way, it will be up to you to handle the actual removal process yourself.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Beaverton?
Whether or not you’re responsible for a tree that falls where you live can depend on who you are. Some situations aren’t as clear-cut as they might appear, made all the more complicated because of Beaverton’s unique approach to trees in its urban areas. Here are some examples of who might be in charge of removing a fallen tree and the different situations that would or would not make them responsible:
If you’re a homeowner?
Homeowners are responsible for any trees growing on their immediate property. To put it simply, if a tree that’s being grown in your yard falls over, you’re going to have to get it taken care of. Additionally, Beaverton stipulates that homeowners and business owners are responsible for any street trees growing at the right-of-way adjacent to their properties. This means you’ll not only have to have it removed if it falls over but tend to it while it’s still alive and upright.
If your tree does fall, it might be worth it to review your homeowner’s insurance policy. Depending on who you signed with, you might actually be covered for all costs associated with the removal.
If you’re a renter?
If you’re renting but do not own the property you live on, you won’t be responsible for any fallen trees that come down from or on your property. As you (the renter) do not actually own the property in question, you don’t hold any responsibility for having the tree removed. Similar to any other maintenance request, your best course of action would be to contact the landlord and request that they have it removed.
An exception to this may come if you decide to cut down a tree on your rental property. Unless given permission by the landlord, you probably don’t have a legal right to be cutting down the trees where you live. The issue of tree cutting permits is also relevant here, particularly the fact you likely wouldn’t be approved for one since you don’t own the land. If you decide to cut down a landlord’s tree anyway, you’d most likely be on the hook for having it removed in addition to any other penalties they might put on you.
The issue of insurance can be a bit tricky here, too. You shouldn’t be expected to pay if a tree falls on its own as you had nothing to do with it, but if you’re found at fault for the tree falling, it could be a different story. Similarly, a landlord might not want to pay out using their insurance if a tree falls and destroys your personal property. Overall, these complex situations are best handled by a lawyer, so we recommend you contact yours if you find yourself in an insurance battle of some kind.
If you’re a landlord?
In the majority of cases, a landlord is the one responsible for removing fallen trees on their property. According to the Oregon State Bar, landlords have a duty to keep the property they own safe and habitable for tenants. This would generally include trees that fall on their own, due to disease, natural disasters, and various other situations. Depending upon your insurance policy, removal will likely be covered in the same or similar way to a private resident.
The exception here would be a tenant choosing to cut or destroy a tree on their own. In this situation, it would likely be the renter’s responsibility for removing the tree and any damages involved in the tree falling.
If you’re a neighbor?
Disputes between neighbors over trees have lasted almost as long as trees have existed. To keep things simple, the owner of a tree is whoever’s property contains the trunk of that tree. Regardless of how much a tree’s branches might hang over the fence, the tree still belongs to the person whose yard it’s growing out of. However, neighbors are allowed to trim the branches of trees hanging over the property line, but only up to that property line.
With that established, a tree that falls from its owner’s property onto a neighbor’s will be the responsibility of the owner. As the neighbor does not own the tree, they aren’t responsible for having it removed. Based on the Oregon Revised Statutes Property Rights and Transactions § 96.010, both the tree’s owner and the neighbor will be responsible for repairing any damages to a fence built on the property line, splitting the costs evenly. The tree’s owner might also be liable for any damage it causes to the neighbor’s other property, too. As a word of advice, though, it’s probably better for everyone to handle these matters civilly, as no good comes out of suing your neighbor over a fallen tree.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Beaverton?
Beaverton is part of Washington County, a region with deep soil composed mostly of well-drained to poorly-drained loam, silt, and clay. This and Beaverton’s moderate climate have made it a great place to grow all kinds of things, trees included. Roots have plenty of room to grow and dig in deep, giving them some resistance against being ripped out of the ground during floods or the like. This soil provides a great place to grow a wide variety of trees. Try to learn a little about the trees on your property so you can help them thrive.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Beaverton?
Weather generally does not harm trees in Beaverton. Thanks to the region’s moderate climate, numerous species of trees can flourish in Beaverton. Outside of flooding, the normal weather in the city should not cause major damage to trees. Increasing temperatures may eventually become an issue, however, so it’s smart to start early and watch over trees during the hottest months to make sure they’re properly watered and aren’t showing signs of heat damage.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Beaverton?
Since the city of Beaverton carries out pruning of the majority of trees near power lines, there will hopefully not be a situation where a dead tree could potentially endanger people by growing into one of the lines. However, if a dead tree is tall enough to pose a danger due to its proximity to a power line, you may not need a permit to cut the tree down if an arborist confirms that the tree is a hazard and the city requires it to be removed. If the tree is still under your control (on your property, on the adjacent right-of-way), you’ll still have to cover the removal costs of the tree after it’s cut.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Beaverton?
Tree removal in Beaverton costs an average of $850 per tree, costs ranging from $310 all the way up to $1390 or higher for large projects. This comes from an average hourly rate of around $230. That said, a number of other factors can change how much you can expect to pay, a few of them being:
Permits
As we’ve covered several times, virtually any tree removed in Beaverton will require a permit. Not only do they cost money, but they also cost time. Both of these things will factor into your bill since we’re the ones who have to apply for the permits on your behalf. More difficult jobs with more red tape might also mean extra fees.
Size
The bigger a tree, the harder it falls. This is a good way to explain the danger larger tree removals entail, meaning they naturally cost more. The larger the tree being removed is, the more caution our workers need to take in how to handle it. One wrong move means your tree could come slamming down into someone’s living room. Prices jump around every 20 feet, a sample breakdown being as follows:
- 20 feet: $220 to $400
- 40 feet: $440 to $800
- 60 feet: $660 to $1200
- 80 feet: $880 to $1600 or more
Urgency
Like most jobs, the quicker you need it done, the more it costs. It’s not uncommon for emergency tree removal to cost more than a flexible job. If you urgently need a tree cut down or removed, expect to pay a little something extra.
