Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Eugene?
- 2 Does the City of Eugene Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Eugene?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Eugene?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Eugene?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Eugene?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Eugene?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Eugene?
Oregon is known for its natural marvels and gorgeous sunsets. It’s a travel hotspot for hikers and lovers of nature. On the other hand, Eugene is known for its vibrant art, natural environment, and one of Oregon’s favorite college towns.
Being such a recreational area for education and nature-filled days, the city is loved for its green thumb, even if it faces its share of tree diseases and insect infestations. A few of the many diseases and insects that might cause the decay of trees in the area include:
Butt Rot
Caused by fungi that penetrate the tissue of a tree, trees with poorly protected undersurface may fall victim to the disease. The roots soften as well as its bark and tissue to become sponge-like or weak. Over time this will reduce a tree’s structural integrity and could cause it to fall.
Heart Rot Disease
Known as a national disease in hardwoods, heart rot invades from the inside out. As a fungal disease, it enters the tree through wounds in the bark and weakens the tree from its center. By forcing decay, it can cause trees to fall. Preventative measures include taking extra precautions when pruning leaves to prevent large exposure of wood.
Sooty Mold
Visible as dark fungi, sooty mold can be found on the leaves of trees and may spread rapidly. This disease is common due to the high temperatures in Eugene, and consistent and proper watering prevents it. When trees in the area aren’t retaining enough moisture, you’ll likely find the disease spreading.
Bark Beetle
Commonly found among stressed or weakened trees, bark beetles are pesky invaders. While they’ve been beneficial in large forests when helping prevent overcrowding, they can wreak havoc on homes in the city and have been found to kill live trees all across the US. Bark beetles rely on their host tree to feed on their nutrients and hydrate from their water supply. They leave a tree extremely dehydrated and susceptible to hot days and put them at risk when strong storms pass through.
Does the City of Eugene Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
While the city removes right of way trees that are dying or pose a hazard, the homeowner is responsible for tree removal on private property. However, on lots larger than 20,000 square feet or in the conservation program, you must apply for a permit before hiring a professional arborist to remove the tree. The city will remove trees that have roots blocking sewage or lifting curbs to impede stormwater drainage.
If you’re uncertain whether you need a permit, you can contact the Building and Permit Services Division of Planning and Development. This department maintains rules and handles private trees in Eugene.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Eugene?
Trees falling is a common nuisance. Knowing who holds responsibility when they fall over property lines is essential in ensuring it’s properly removed and taken care of promptly. The responsibility of fallen tree removal in Eugene depends on where the tree’s base primarily lives.
If you’re a homeowner?
According to Eugene’s Urban Forestry Department, whoever owns the land with more than 50% of the tree’s base holds ownership and responsibility of the tree should it fall.
If you’re a renter?
Responsibility for fallen tree removal is purely the homeowner’s duty. If a tree falls due to not being maintained or pruned, you may need to review your lease to ensure no agreement stating you would take care of the landscape outside of standard yard work.
If you’re a landlord?
As the property owner, you are responsible for removing fallen trees unless stated otherwise in your lease agreement. Most agreements may mention your tenant handling the landscape but do not specify what the details of landscaping mean.
If you’re a neighbor?
The responsibility of a fallen tree in Eugene depends highly on the cause behind it falling. You are responsible for filing an insurance claim for any damages due to natural circumstances such as a storm. It is their responsibility to discuss and handle any necessary monetary payment for damages caused by negligence. However, it is still the homeowner with more than 50% of the base’s responsibility in having it removed in both situations.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Eugene?
According to a Soil Survey, soils in Eugene have been developed under the influence of moderately high winter rainfalls and dry summers without experiencing incredibly extreme seasons. The soil in the city consists of a mixture of clay, silts, and gravelly loam. Depending on your location in Eugene, you may find it somewhat difficult to maintain the health of trees if it’s recently been very wet or dry.
Clay loam is a mixture of high measurements clay combined with other rock types and is considered extremely dense. In areas with clay loam, it can be difficult to work with due to poor drainage, making replanting trees difficult.
Silt loam is a mixture of sand and clay located near the topsoil. It’s very fine and can provide nutrients for trees, making it ideal for growth.
Gravelly loam is pretty well-defined by its name, containing high concentrates or rock and gravel, making it moderately permeable, allowing it fairly easy for water to pass through. The hardest part of working with gravelly loam is that it needs a little TLC to get trees to grow properly.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Eugene?
The city of Eugene runs alongside the Willamette River, meaning that trees growing nearby often fall victim to strong winds and salt. While it may not seem like this could impact the health of a tree, when storms hit, it can be hazardous to its ability to grow properly. Strong winds can cause crown deformation, and trees may require trimming or pruning following storms.
Additionally, snow in the area can leave you with broken, crossed, or wandering branches that may cause damage to your property or damage wood and expose the interior wood. During summer or arid periods, watering trees can help ensure they get the nutrients they need from the soil in order to maintain healthy growth.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Eugene?
EWEB assists in maintaining Eugene’s urban landscape. This includes trimming, pruning, and removing dead, dying, or hazardous trees near power lines. If you plan to work on a tree near a power line, please contact EWEB at 541-685-7148 or fill out an online trimming request to ensure your safety. Contact with live power lines poses a severe health risk. It may result in serious injury, including death.
Whenever you plan to trim or prune tree limbs, survey the area to avoid potential interactions with power lines. Should a tree fall on a power line, contact us to safely have it removed and keep children, pets, and yourself away from the area to avoid potential injury.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Eugene?
Our records indicate that average tree removal for medium-size trees costs between $517-$702. This price can vary for smaller and larger trees and doesn’t include the average cost for removing multiple trees at once. The pricing for tree removal highly depends on the size of the tree, location, and difficulty to remove it. Tree removal quotes in Eugene include:
- Cost of labor and equipment such as harnesses, chainsaws, and light-duty supplies.
- Project costs, including surface preparation, cleanup fees, and machinery.
Quotes do not typically include:
- Cost of local permits.
- Removal of the stump.
- Additional services, such as limb clipping or log splitting.
Primary cost factors when having our professional arborists come out to remove a tree from your property include but are not limited to:
Location and Access
The tree’s location and difficulty in access can alter the cost of removing it. This varies if the tree is located next to a home, a building near a power line, or a fence. It can also cost more if the tree requires additional equipment and precautions due to its location when cutting it down. If it has already fallen, then it may cost less to remove depending on whether it damaged property upon the fall.
Tree Size
The most common factor of tree removal cost relies on the size of the tree. Smaller trees will cost less, while medium-sized and larger trees will cost more. This is primarily due to the time and effort that goes into safely cutting down bigger trees. Trees larger in size require more attention to detail and more hands-on-deck when handling the job. Larger trees may also require more intricate machinery or equipment to safely remove them without any limbs falling and damaging property.
Additional Services
Since many quotes don’t include things such as stump removal, hauling wood off, or clipping and splitting wood, these services will add charges to your final bill. Stump removal typically requires a specialized machine that shreds the stump into wood chips, leaving behind the tree’s roots. If you want to save and split the wood for firewood, this will be an additional charge for extra labor and time.
