Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Erie?
- 2 Does the City of Erie Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Erie?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Erie?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Erie?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Erie?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Erie?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Erie?
Pennsylvania is home to 134 native and 62 non-native species of trees. Erie’s trees are vulnerable to several different tree diseases and pests and if that’s not enough, severe weather in the area can really affect a tree’s health. Here are some of the most common issues that trees face in Erie, and how you can take proactive steps to combat them.
Emerald Ash Borer
Ash trees are the most prevalent species in Erie and they are especially susceptible to the emerald ash borer. These insects are, by far, the biggest issue that trees in Erie face. Emerald ash borers lay their eggs on a tree’s bark and the larvae feed on the tissue underneath. Once they’re adult-sized, these insects spread to other ash trees and continue the detrimental process. This extremely hazardous infestation will leave otherwise healthy trees vulnerable and without treatment, an infected tree will die within three to five years. If caught in time, we can successfully treat your ash tree, allowing it to live a long, healthy life.
Diplodia Tip Blight
This fungal disease affects pine trees in Erie during the spring and summer months. Diplodia Tip Blight begins by causing pine needles to turn yellow and spindly and can affect a single branch or an entire tree. If left untreated, pine trees of all sizes can die. To avoid your trees being susceptible to this condition, it’s important to water, fertilize and mulch around the base of your tree regularly. If you notice brown needles, give us a call and we’ll check it out. There are several treatment options including fungal spray and pruning techniques. As always, prevention and quick response time are key.
Some other common pests and diseases that affect Erie trees include:
- Apple Scab
- Fire Blight
- Powdery Mildew
- Verticillium Wilt
- Anthracnose
- Cedar Apple Rust
Most of these issues present themselves by discoloration or leaving a substance on tree leaves. If your leaves look strange, it’s probably best to call us to inspect the tree.
Weather Damage
As a coastal city, Erie sees its share of natural disasters including floods, tornadoes, snow, and ice storms. The best way to prevent a tree from falling is to ensure that it’s healthy and strong before a storm hits. Make sure your tree gets enough water, prune away branches that are at risk of falling, and have your trees inspected by an arborist. When a storm passes through and it’s time to clean up the mess, most of the fallen trees we deal with are already sick or dying. Keep your trees healthy and they’ll be much more likely to weather any storm.
Does the City of Erie Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Erie’s extensive Urban Forest Committee Code explains that homeowners are responsible for removing their own dead or dying trees. In addition, if your tree needs to be extensively pruned or removed, you have to obtain a permit first. Before doing any major work on your trees, read over the code to make sure that you are adhering to the many rules listed.
Homeowners in Erie are responsible for trees that are within their property lines, all the way to the street. The town’s Code Enforcement Page gives specific measurements regarding trees that are in the right-of-way in your front lawn. Tree’s branches must not extend lower than 14 feet above the street and 9 feet above sidewalks and violators are subject to hefty fines. If you notice a neighbor’s tree in violation of the code, give them a friendly call and ask if you can help them prune their trees. If they are unresponsive to your request, feel free to call 814-870-1475 and the Code Enforcement will handle it.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Erie?
Trees can fall for any number of reasons, often at the worst times and in the worst possible places. If a tree falls onto your property, are you responsible for payment? Here’s a quick breakdown of some common scenarios along with a brief explanation of who should pay.
If you’re a homeowner?
As a homeowner, you are responsible for the upkeep and repairs on all structures and trees on your property. This includes regularly pruning and inspecting your trees for potentially hazardous limbs. If a tree falls during a storm or other unforeseen event, your homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost. You will only be responsible for paying your deductible.
If you’re a renter?
Renters don’t own their homes or the trees on their properties. In that case, if a tree falls on the property you are renting, your landlord’s insurance will pay for the tree to be removed.
If you’re a landlord?
Landlords are responsible for the upkeep of the homes and trees on all of their rental properties. If a tree falls on one of your rental properties during an unforeseen event, your insurance will cover the cost. You will only be responsible for paying your deductible.
If you’re a neighbor?
We’ve heard countless disputes between neighbors regarding property lines over the years. One of the most common disputes involves trees. If a tree falls onto your property during a storm, regardless of whether the tree belonged to you, your insurance will pay for the damages. This can get a little muddy, especially if your insurance can prove that your neighbor had been neglecting their sick or dying tree, causing it to be at risk of falling. If that’s the case, your insurance may go after your neighbor’s for payment. In order to avoid neighborhood disputes like these, just be a good neighbor. Take care of your trees and keep an eye out on the trees in your neighbor’s yard. If there is a need for some extra care, check in with them and see if you can help.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Erie?
As outlined in chapter 4 of the Bluff Book, Erie’s soil has a sandy layer on top with clay underneath. The soil conditions in this area make it very difficult to grow non-native plants, but trees have no problem thriving in it. It’s important to mulch around your tree’s base to provide organic nutrients to the soil that are absent. The mulch also adds a layer of protection to your tree’s base, like a thermal blanket over the tree’s vulnerable roots. It also locks in moisture under the ground.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Erie?
Trees in Erie take a beating year-round from storms that blow through the coastal city. Vicious winds, flooding, snow and ice can uproot trees or down branches, causing significant damage to your home or person. When trees and limbs are sick or infested, they become vulnerable to the elements and unstable. It only takes a gusty wind to down a sick tree or an ice storm to break dead branches. To lessen the chances of a fallen tree, it’s important to keep your trees healthy and strong. Some ideas for promoting tree health include:
- Provide adequate water
- Mulch around the tree’s base
- Have your trees inspected by an arborist
- Regular pruning
Call our arborists at the first sign of a sick tree and we’ll help nurse it back to health. And if you find yourself in need of tree removal in Erie, we can also help you get the job done.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Erie?
FirstEnergy provides regularly scheduled maintenance on the trees that are near the electric wires on your property. When they prune your trees, you can expect that they’ll clean up any debris and will leave any wood over four inches in diameter for you to use as firewood or dispose of. If you notice that your trees are interfering with power lines near your home, fill out a report online and FirstEnergy will come out to assess the situation. Please do not ever try to prune your branches if they’re near power lines. Leave that kind of work to the professionals. If the utility companies decide that tree removal is best, they will remove the tree at no cost to you.
If, on the other hand, your tree’s branches are interfering with power lines that run between a pole and your home, it is your responsibility to manage. Just make sure you call FirstEnergy to disconnect your lines before pruning your branches or asking us to do so. If the tree needs to be removed completely, call us to complete the job for you.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Erie?
Local tree removal can cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. That’s a large price range in any industry, but tree removal in Erie just depends on a lot of factors. If you need to have a tree removed, it’s best to call for a quote. We’ll get you a price that’s specific to your individual needs. In the meantime, here are a few factors that we use to calculate your final price.
Tree Size
We remove trees of all shapes and sizes, but the bigger the tree, the more complicated the job will be. The average pitch pine tree is around 30 feet tall, but tree heights of different species can greatly vary. When you call for a quote, we’ll ask about the height of your tree as well as the trunk’s diameter. These measurements will help us determine how long the job will take as well as how much equipment and manpower we’ll need and that will greatly impact the price you’ll pay.
If your tree is located near your home or power lines, our arborists will need to know ahead of time. Any obstacles that interfere with our tree removal process make it more complicated and add additional safety concerns. We’ll take extra measures to ensure that your home is safe and your power lines are undisturbed, but expect the extra time and effort to be reflected in your final bill.
Accessibility
If a tree falls in the woods, will our arborists even be able to access it? All joking aside, it takes a lot of equipment to remove a tree and we’ll have to find a way to bring our machinery to the worksite. Trees that are near roadways are much easier to access than those in the forest or off the beaten path. Depending on your tree’s accessibility, your price may increase.
