Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Grants Pass?
- 2 Does the City of Grants Pass Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Grants Pass?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Grants Pass?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Grants Pass?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Grants Pass?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Grants Pass?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Grants Pass?
Most of the trees in the area are perfectly healthy. Trees are incredibly resilient, especially when they mature, allowing them to withstand most dangers. When a tree has to go, though, it’s usually because of one of these reasons:
Overcrowding
We have a large, diverse, and healthy tree population in Grants Pass. But sometimes it’s a little too healthy. Trees grow quickly and in large numbers here, and that can start to cause issues for property owners. Too many trees crowded together can be a fire hazard. They can also cause issues for your other landscaping, blocking out sunlight and denying nutrients to smaller plants. Trees can grow too close to your home, too, interfering with your foundation or plumbing and causing expensive repairs. Thinning out the trees on your property can help prevent a lot of these issues, making your home safer while requiring less maintenance.
Disease
There are many diseases that can cause serious problems for trees in the area. Some common tree diseases in Oregon include needle blight and sudden oak death. Pest infestations are also an issue for trees in the area, including wood borers and bark beetles. You should inspect your trees regularly for signs of infestation or disease. Look for leaves or needles unexpectedly changing color, strange chances to the bark, and smaller branches starting to die back. If you suspect a problem, catching and treating it early could help save your tree. Sometimes, though, the best remedy is to remove the infected tree and prevent the disease or pest from spreading.
Storm Damage
Grants Pass can have torrential rains, lightning, and flooding, and all of these can have a devastating impact on the tree population. Common forms of storm damage on trees include stem, root, or branch failure, twisted crowns, blown over, or lightning damage. These conditions can kill a tree, either immediately or by making it more vulnerable to disease and pests later on. It’s important to have your trees inspected by our specialists for damage to ensure there are no structural weaknesses that could cause safety risks in the future.
Does the City of Grants Pass Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The City of Grants Pass assists with some tree removals, depending on the location of the tree.
Public Property
If you believe a tree on public property, such as in one of the city’s parks, is a safety risk and requires removal, you can report it to the Urban Forestry team. They will assess the tree and take the appropriate actions.
Public Right-of-Way or Street Trees
These trees are the responsibility of the property owner to maintain. However, if the city determines that the tree is a safety hazard, you can apply to the Hazardous Tree Program. This will cover 50% of the cost of tree removal.
Private property
There is no assistance for hazardous trees on private property. These trees are the responsibility of the property owner, who will need to pay for their care and removal.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Grants Pass?
Fallen trees can cause a lot of damage, a lot of mess, and a lot of disputes over who is responsible for the removal. Fortunately, Oregon State Law is pretty clear on the topic of fallen trees.
If you’re a homeowner?
If a tree falls on your property, you’ll be responsible for its removal. But what about if your tree falls onto your neighbor’s property?
In most cases, you won’t be responsible. The law takes into account that you have very little control over natural forces that might knock your tree over into your neighbor’s yard. However, you must have acted in good faith. That means you can’t have had prior knowledge that the tree could be at risk for falling, such as knowing it has a disease or was recently struck by lightning. If you believed the tree was healthy, then it’s likely your neighbor can’t hold you liable for the damage.
If you’re a renter?
Renters occupy just shy of 50% of the houses in Grants Pass. None of them are responsible for the care of the trees on the property they rent. That responsibility stays with their landlord, and it includes the removal of a fallen tree. If a tree falls on your rented property, then you should get in touch with your landlord or property management company as soon as possible. They can arrange for the removal. In the meantime, you can file a claim for any damage done to your personal property with your renter’s insurance.
If you’re a landlord?
In most cases, the responsibility for removing a fallen tree on your rental property will be the landlord’s. Landlords retain responsibility for the trees on their properties, even in cases of long-term leases. It’s unlikely that a landlord will be liable for the damage done by the tree, either, unless they already knew it was a risk or had been negligent in its care. Getting trees trimmed and inspected by our experts annually can help protect the property.
If you’re a neighbor?
It can be extremely frustrating to have a neighbor’s tree fall onto your property. However, it can be difficult to hold them responsible for it, unless you can prove that they already knew the tree was at risk of falling over. In most cases, it’s easier and faster to simply claim reimbursement through your homeowner’s insurance and work out a compromise with your neighbor.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Grants Pass?
The soil in Grants Pass is almost as unique as the climate. It’s extremely stony, having developed over time from the rocks in the mountains. That means it’s not great at retaining moisture, and most areas don’t have a high amount of silt or clay. This is good in the wet winter months because it protects the ground from becoming saturated and prevents root rot in the trees. It can be tough on some plants during the dry summer months, though, when we’re unlikely to get much rain. However, the trees don’t mind this. They rely on retained moisture as well as moisture found deep underground by their roots to survive and thrive in the hot winter months. It makes it difficult to cultivate crops, though, without additional irrigation, unless you are in the river basins. Here, you’ll find silt-rich soil that has plenty of nutrients and is good at moisture retention. Ornamental and fruit trees enjoy this kind of soil.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Grants Pass?
Grants Pass has a unique climate, and that unique climate is great for our tree population. Our area is classified as a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. That means the climate here is a lot like what you’d find if you lived along the Mediterranean Sea, such as in Italy or Southern France. Our summers are warm while the winters are wet but mild. We only get about 3 inches of snow accumulation each year, but there is always plenty of rain. So trees get the warmth and nutrients of the sunshine all summer, and plenty of rain and moisture all winter. These favorable weather patterns are part of the reason we have so much tree growth in the area.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Grants Pass?
Pacific Power is the power provider for Grants Pass. They are responsible for the maintenance of vegetation near their power lines, including reports of dead trees. If you see a dead or dangerous tree near a power line, you can contact them and they’ll dispatch someone to evaluate it as soon as possible.
In an emergency, such as a fallen tree coming into contact with power lines, you should call 911. Stay away from the area and keep others away, as well, as the power lines may still be active.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Grants Pass?
On average, you’ll pay around $750 for tree removal in Grants Pass, but your total could range anywhere from $150 to $2,000+. That cost will vary depending on these factors:
Tree Size
We have big trees in Grants Pass. The popular Ponderosa Pine can reach 200 feet tall while the commonly found incense cedar grows to 100 feet. That makes these trees extremely difficult to remove, as they’ll require cranes and other large machinery along with plenty of safety gear. It’s not just height that matters, either. The spread of the tree and the diameter of the trunk will also factor into the cost. The bigger the tree, the more you’ll pay for its removal.
Tree Condition
Healthier trees may cost more to remove, as they’ll have denser foliage and will generally be more difficult to take down. Fallen trees can be the least expensive trees to remove, as our crews won’t require heavy machinery to remove the upper branches. Because the condition of the tree matters, it’s important that our tree removal crew looks at the tree before we offer you a quote. That way we can get an accurate idea of what it will require to remove your tree.
Additional Services
Stump grinding, emergency removal, and trimming of the remaining trees will all add to your cost. However, it’s usually worth the price. Stump grinding can help prevent diseases in your landscaping in the future, and give you a clean slate to work with. Trimming of the other trees can help you spot and resolve issues before they become a safety hazard. And emergency removal is something that just can’t wait. Bundling your tree removal services or waiting for the off-season may help lower your final bill.
