Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Medford?
- 2 Does the City of Medford Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Medford?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Medford?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Medford?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Medford?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Medford?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Medford?
Dwarf Mistletoe
This parasitic plant grows on the branches of mature trees. The parasite grows tiny roots that burrow into tree branches and suck the nutrients and water from inside its host tree. Dwarf mistletoe is easy to spot on branches since it’s usually bright yellow and very distinctive. It can spread very easily to other trees and weaken a tree, leaving it vulnerable to infestation and disease. We can successfully control this plant with early intervention and regular assessments.
Needle Blight
This disease affects pine trees and causes needles to turn brown and eventually fall off. If left untreated, needle blight can kill a tree in as few as two or three years. Combat this fungal disease by allowing lots of airflow around your trees. Add a thick layer of mulch at the tree’s base, and don’t allow sprinklers to spray directly onto your tree’s needles. When needle blight gets out of control, we find great success in spraying trees with a fungicide to stop the spread of the disease.
Elm Leaf Beetle
These beetles eat the leaves of elm trees and leave the veins intact, causing them to look like tiny leaf skeletons. If a big enough infestation occurs, the tree’s leaves can fall and die back, leaving the tree vulnerable to other diseases and infestations. If you notice these beetles attacking your elm trees, have our arborists check them out. If treated early, your elm tree will grow healthy and strong again.
Bronze Birch Borer Beetles
These beetles are not harmful as adults, but females lay their eggs under the bark and in tree cracks on the trunk. Once they hatch, the destructive larvae feed off the tender tissue inside, disrupting the flow of nutrients and water inside the tree and can quickly weaken a tree. If untreated, an infested tree can die quickly. These beetles are difficult to spot, so keep a close eye out for tiny holes in the tree’s bark or dieback in the tree’s crown. If you notice a sign of infestation, call our arborists right away for help.
Does the City of Medford Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Medford’s Parks Department takes care of all the city’s street trees. In fact, homeowners are not permitted to treat, prune or remove any trees in the area without a permit in hand. The Parks Department is happy to maintain and remove trees at the city’s expense as needed. Still, if you want to take care of the issue yourself, you can use the link to submit a free permit application, and the City Arborist will review your application. If you have questions, you can contact the city arborist at 774-2690.
Medford provided a Guideline for the Protection of Trees for all private and public properties within the city’s limits. This includes protecting the tree’s root zone and other actions that must be taken during a construction project.
As for the trees on your home’s property, all tree pruning and maintenance falls on your shoulders. If you need to have a tree removed that isn’t a street tree, you will need to contact our arborists and pay them to do the job.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Medford?
Trees fall without regard to property lines, so it’s essential to know where your responsibilities lie. Let’s examine a few scenarios, so you know what to do if a tree is uprooted in your yard.
If you’re a homeowner?
As a homeowner, you are responsible for maintaining the trees on your property. That includes regularly pruning your trees and making sure their pest and disease-free. If one should fall during an unforeseen event, your homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost of its removal. You will only be responsible for paying your deductible.
If you’re a renter?
As a renter, you don’t own your home or your property, so it’s not your responsibility to handle it if a tree falls. Your landlord’s insurance will cover the removal cost and any damages that were done to your private property (like your car). If their insurance company is reluctant to pay you the money you’re owed, you may need to contact a lawyer for help.
If you’re a landlord?
A landlord owns all the homes, trees, and landscaping on each of their rental properties. If you’re a landlord, you are also responsible for the upkeep of these homes, trees, and landscaping. If a tree should fall, your insurance will step in and pay for the damages ensued. If they can prove that you had neglected your tree and had known it to be hazardous, your premium will go up.
If you’re a neighbor?
According to the state of Oregon, your homeowner’s insurance will cover the damages caused by a tree that falls into your yard after a storm – even if the tree didn’t belong to you. You will only be responsible for paying your deductible. Your neighbor’s insurance will also pay for a tree to be removed from their yard. Things can get complicated if your insurance company believes your neighbor had neglected their tree and had known it to be at risk of falling. If that’s the case, your insurance will go after theirs for payment.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Medford?
The soil in Medford is a silty clay loam. Silty loam is a gardener’s dream, and plants grow very well in this soil type. The addition of clay particles to Medford’s soil helps nutrients and water to be well-retained so that tree roots can soak them up. The downside to clay loam is that it can compact easily, making it hard for water to flow freely through the soil. Roots also may have trouble growing through the thick soil.
You can amend this situation by adding compost to your soil each spring. The compost will break up the clay in the soil so water can drain thoroughly and roots can grow freely. You also may want to consider adding a layer of mulch around your tree’s base. This can help avoid compaction of the soil around your tree’s roots so they can continue to grow healthy and strong.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Medford?
Medford experiences extreme drought conditions that can weaken healthy trees and kill trees that were already sick. To keep your trees healthy, it’s important to remember that they need lots of water, especially during a drought. Water your trees often, and remember that a tree’s roots extend as far outward as the tree is tall. It’s best to water your trees deeply around the dripline. This area is located under the tree’s foliage, where rainwater would drip onto the ground. Try not to only water around the tree’s trunk since this can promote fungal growth and disease.
You can also combat drought damage by adding a thick layer of mulch around the base of your tree. Aim for a depth of three to four inches to protect your tree’s vulnerable roots and to help lock in moisture underneath.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Medford?
Pacific Power sends crews out to prune trees that are near electric lines in Medford. Their arborists will assess, prune and even remove problem trees at no cost to you. If one does need to be removed, the company will contact you for written permission first, and they’ll even provide a coupon for a tree replacement from a local nursery.
The company does not prune trees near your service line. If you have branches interfering with the power line connecting a pole to your house, you’ll need to hire our arborists to prune your tree. Make sure you call Pacific Power before we begin so they can shut off your power temporarily.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Medford?
In Medford, tree removal is going to cost you about $700, on average. Since every job is unique, we’ll have to consider several factors before quoting your specific price. Some of those factors include:
Tree Size
Before calculating your cost, our arborists will measure your tree’s height and its trunk diameter. Your tree’s size will likely be the biggest factor in determining the price of removal. Large trees with lots of foliage will take a lot of extra work to remove, and you’ll probably pay more for a big tree. On the other hand, small trees will take far less manpower and time, so you can expect to pay less to have them removed.
Tree Location
If your tree is located in an open field, it will be a straightforward job. If, on the other hand, your home is nearby, we’ll need to be extra careful when removing the tree. Suppose our arborists need to take additional safety measures to work around obstacles like your home, garage, or power lines. In that case, the job will become more complicated, and your price will increase accordingly.
Similarly, if your tree is located in a hard-to-reach spot, we’ll need to figure out how to get our equipment to the worksite. This will take additional work for our arborists, and you’ll probably pay more to have the tree removed.
Stump Grinding
Our arborists don’t include stump grinding in the price of tree removal. This additional expense can be added to your bill if you’d like, but it’s going to cost you extra. The good news is that we’ll grind your stump for far less than it would cost you to rent a DIY stump grinder for an afternoon.
