Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Grove City?
- 2 Does Grove City Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Grove City?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Grove City?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Grove City?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Grove City?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Grove City?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Grove City?
Welcome to Grove City, PA! This small borough in Mercer County is home to 7,762 people and has an area of 2.7 miles. It has that small-town charm that is perfect for someone looking for a laid-back lifestyle but who isn’t quite ready to move into the country.
Trees are a big part of Grove City. Some of the trees that call this home can grow quite large and can lead to damage that requires them to be cut down.
Roots
It’s easy to overlook a tree’s roots when you’re enjoying the shade it provides in the summer, but this can be a mistake. Large trees come with large roots and depending on how close it is to your home, it can do a lot of damage. Just take a look at how a few weeds can break through the concrete on the sidewalk. Now imagine a tree root doing that to your foundation. Roots can cause cracks in your foundation that can lead to expensive repairs.
Tree roots in search of moisture have also been known to force their way into sewer pipes. This is good for the tree’s overall health but bad for you. You may need tree removal if a tree on your property is causing damage to or threatens your home.
Other trees in Grove City such as pine trees tend to have shallow roots. This means that when strong winds come, they can easily be blown over. Pine trees tend to be thin, but grow tall and can cause a lot of damage when they topple over. Again, you may want to call us for removal services if a tree is threatening your property or your family’s safety.
Pests
Pennsylvania is under Federal quarantine thanks to the European Gypsy Moth. This six-legged pest can do a lot of damage to trees. The caterpillars are far from picky eaters and will happily make a buffet of over 300 different species of trees and shrubs. They will defoliate trees which is a fancy way of saying the caterpillars are eating all the leaves. This is bad because the leaves are how trees convert sunlight to food. Without its foliage, a tree could become stunted, malformed, or even die. This also leaves the tree without much of the defense mechanisms that protect it from other pests.
Bark Beetles are another pest that are attacking trees in Grove City. These tiny beetles reproduce under the bark of trees. While they mainly make dead trees their home, Bark Beetles are not above attacking and killing living trees. To get rid of these pests, it requires removal of the infested tree. Once it is cut down, it should be burned to prevent the spread of the Bark Beetle to other trees. Another option is to debark the tree if the infestation is not that serious yet.
Does Grove City Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Grove City will help remove trees if they are interfering with city maintenance. This is mainly related to the tree’s proximity to power lines but there are some other occasions when Grove City will cut down a tree, such as when it’s too close to streetlights. Grove City will also remove trees that have fallen into roadways or sidewalks.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Grove City?
Dealing with fallen trees is no laughing matter. It can be a little stressful as you try to figure out what was damaged, calling your insurance agent, and figuring out what you need to do next. The biggest question is who is responsible for removing the tree, especially if it damaged property when it fell. The answer is not always as straightforward as it might seem.
If you’re a homeowner?
There aren’t many cases when you aren’t responsible for removing a fallen tree on your property. As soon as you find the tree, the first thing you need to do is call your insurance agency. Depending on your policy, your insurance carrier will most likely help with the cost of removal. This is a conversation you need to have with your agent, preferably before bad weather hits.
If you’re a renter?
In most cases, the landlord is responsible for removing the fallen tree. For situations where it’s an apartment complex, this is all the more true. There is one exception to this and that’s whether or not you signed a lease that states tree removal is your responsibility. If this is the case, then it’s up to you to remove the fallen tree.
One way you can protect yourself in case of property damage from a fallen tree is to get renter’s insurance. It may not always be a requirement, but if some of your personal belongings were damaged, renters insurance will cover you.
If you’re a landlord?
There aren’t many cases when the landlord is not responsible for removing a fallen tree. The only exception is if it’s written into the lease that the renter will remove any fallen trees. The right insurance policy will go a long way towards helping to cover the cost of tree removal.
If you’re a neighbor?
This is where things get a little complicated when it comes to tree removal. If your neighbor’s tree falls on your property, it’s not automatically their job to remove it. This is especially true if the fallen tree was living and only fell due to rough weather conditions. If this is the case, it’s considered an ‘Act of God’ and you should report the fallen tree to your insurance agent.
Your neighbor is responsible if the tree were dead or diseased, and they knew it. Proving that they were aware of it can be critical if it goes to court, however, a certified letter letting them know you are concerned about the tree is the surest way to protect yourself in this situation.
The other occasions when your neighbor is responsible for removing a fallen tree on your property is when they were either cutting down trees which then did damage to your property, or were cutting the tree down themselves when it fell on your land. If this is the case, then they are responsible for the damages.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Grove City?
The soil in Mercer County, PA was originally derived from glacial activity. Because of this, there are four different soil types in Grove City. There is the Ravenna-Frenchtown association, which makes up about 57 percent of the soil in Mercer County. It is described as poorly drained to somewhat poorly drained. This soil is not great for growing trees, although there are some trees that aren’t too bothered by this. The other types of soil include the Chenango-Bracebille-Halsey association, the Canfield-Ravenna association, and the Wayland.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Grove City?
Weather plays a huge role in the health of the tree population in Grove City. While the temperatures are usually mild, ranging from the low thirties to high eighties, the cold temperatures can get to younger trees. Freezing temperatures might be enough to kill a young sapling before it has a chance to reach maturity.
Snow can also play a role in the health of trees. While snow is typically not enough to make a tree fall, the heavy accumulation on tree limbs can cause branches to fall. If it’s in the woods, it’s no big deal. If a tree limb falls on your vehicle, however, that’s another story.
The wind is another reason that trees fall in Grove City. The pine trees are more likely to fall than the oak trees or cherry trees, but there is no guarantee that a tree will not fall. Tornadoes are not unheard of in Grove City, so the risk of fallen trees due to the weather is a very real factor in Grove City.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Grove City?
Grove City takes fallen trees seriously and is more likely to cut a tree down than just to trim the limbs if it is located near a power line. A contractor is usually hired to come out and remove any trees at risk. The city will not always inform tree owners that this will take place, so call 724-458-6410 if you have any questions. Grove City has a policy of replacing any trees that are cut down with young saplings, but it will most likely not be near power lines where the original tree was removed.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Grove City?
There are several factors that will determine how much tree removal will cost in Grove City.
Size
Some of the trees in Grove City, PA are very large. In fact, some might call them monstrous. Cutting down these trees requires a lot of finesse. Rather than just sawing through the trunks, it may require cutting the branches back first and then tackling the trunk. Depending on the size, it may also require that the tree be cut down in pieces rather than cutting it at the base. We won’t be able to give you a definite quote until we see the tree for ourselves.
Location
Where the tree is located is one of the most important factors we need to know. If the tree is located between two buildings, this means we’ll have to take extra care when cutting it down. Given the size of Grove City, the chances are higher than the trees located near a building.
Removing a branch may not seem like that big of a deal, but it can do a lot of damage if it falls on someone’s home. Cutting down the tree will require a lot more planning than just cutting down a tree that is in the middle of a clearing. Getting the needed equipment to the site is another factor to consider.
Equipment
The equipment needed for a tree plays a crucial role in the cost. Small trees can be removed with an ax, which doesn’t require gas or electricity to operate. Chain saws and bucket trucks require maintenance and fuel, which will be factored into the final price.