Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Blythewood?
- 2 Does the City of Blythewood Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Blythewood?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Blythewood?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Blythewood?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Blythewood?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Blythewood?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Blythewood?
South Carolina is home to a wide variety of tree species. Some unique tree species are vulnerable to isolated fungus, diseases, or pests, but a lot of trees in the Blythewood area are vulnerable to many of the same diseases and pests. Some of the most common issues that can lead to poor tree health and even tree death include:
Root Rot
Two types of root rot can affect trees in the area. The first is general rot caused by tightly compacted soil, or heavy clay-type soil, with extremely poor drainage. This traps moisture against tree rots and causes rot to set in.
The other common type of root rot is Annosus root rot. This is caused by a fungus. The fungus spores can spread through the air and infect freshly cut stumps or even trees with cut or broken off branches. Once the fungus sets root in the tree and germinates, it spreads throughout the tree. Heavily infected trees can die, and infected roots can even spread the fungus to adjacent trees. One of the most common treatments for areas infected with Annosus root rot is thinning, or removing trees to limit the risk of contact-based spread.
Emerald Ash Borers
These invasive pests are more common in New England and the eastern Midwest. However, there have been infestations in South Carolina since 2017. Because emerald ash borers can devastate ash trees, it’s important to stay vigilant. They carve D-shaped holes into the trunks of infested trees and can lead to complete tree death within 3 to 5 years. Because infestations happen quickly, nearly every affected tree must be cut down and removed to minimize the risk of spread. Individual high-value trees can sometimes be protected through insecticide programs. If you see a tree you think may be infested with emerald ash borers, we recommend you call the South Carolina Forestry Commission’s Forest Health Coordinator at (803) 667-1002 to alert them before calling us for treatment and removal.
Storm Damage
Especially during seasons with heavy storms and hurricanes that reach the Carolinas, storm damage is a highly likely problem for trees in Blythewood. Heavy winds and rains can cause twigs and branches to break off trees or even fell trees. Fallen trees present a risk for property, people, and nearby power lines. Damaged trees are also more vulnerable to infestation and infection without proper care.
Does the City of Blythewood Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Blythewood assists in removing public trees and trees in public spaces. Citizens can fill out a request with the city’s Tree Removal department to report fallen trees that present a hazard, safety risk, or nuisance. Also, some circumstances may require city approval before trees can be removed. Under general conditions, trees with diameters of eight inches or more can’t be removed without a city permit unless the tree is on an appropriately sized single-family residential property.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Blythewood?
When trees fall, it’s important to arrange for their removal as fast as safely possible to minimize damage to the surrounding landscape and reduce the risk of safety issues or the spread of tree diseases and pests. However, determining who has the final responsibility for removing the tree often depends on who owns the property the tree fell on.
If you’re a homeowner?
For example, if a tree falls onto your residential property, you’re often the sole person responsible for managing the tree’s removal. However, your home insurance provider may provide partial or complete coverage for the project or the costs of repairing or replacing any property damaged by the fallen tree. If the tree has fallen on or near power lines, utility fixtures, or public spaces, we recommend contacting the city or your utility company for assistance.
If you’re a renter?
If you rent your Blythewood home, your landlord is responsible for arranging to have the fallen tree removed. Report the incident to your landlord and identify any potential safety hazards in the area so you can stay safe. Your landlord is also responsible for repairing any structural damage due to the fallen tree. However, if you have any damaged personal property, such as a car, contact your renter’s insurance company to confirm the specific coverage details of your policy.
If you’re a landlord?
Landlords are responsible for maintaining safe conditions of the property, and that includes removing fallen trees. Calling us to arrange for fast tree removal can minimize the extent of the damage to your lawn and landscaping, as well as minimize your property’s potential exposure to tree pests and infestations.
If you’re a neighbor?
If a tree fell onto your property from a neighboring lot, you’re often responsible for removing it from your property. You can negotiate with your neighbors if the tree fell across your property line or contact Blythewood city officials if the tree is partially on public property or paved surfaces belonging to the city. However, if a neighbor’s tree fell onto your property due to active negligence on their part, they may be legally responsible for managing tree removal and related repairs.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Blythewood?
Blythewood and the surrounding Richland County area are mostly home to sandy and sandy-loam soil. This soil generally has good properties for trees, especially if it’s not compacted in developed areas. Sandy and loamy soil offers good drainage and allows trees to expand their root systems for strong, sturdy growth that resists high wind speeds. However, Richland County’s sandy soil allows Annosus root rot and its underlying fungus to more easily spread from root to root, so affected tree areas need to be thinned and monitored.
Loamy soil in general is rich in nutrients and ensures trees receive adequate minerals and water. This helps trees avoid chlorosis — or a poor ability to photosynthesize — and keeps them strong enough to resist many tree diseases and pests.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Blythewood?
Blythewood has a humid subtropical climate, with plenty of rain across the year (for a total of 1,180 inches across an average of 103 days). This ensures most trees have plenty of water for fast, strong growth. According to recent Doppler reports, the area has had severe weather 13 times across the past 12 months. This severe weather includes strong winds and rains, which can knock down branches, damage trees, and even fell weak trees or trees with poor root systems.
However, Blythewood has only had 2 reports of hail over the past 12 months, so there’s a limited risk of hail damage (such as broken tree branches or pitted bark surfaces that are vulnerable to infestation and infection). The area also has relatively mild winters, so there’s a limited risk of snow scald or tree damage due to freezes and snow.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Blythewood?
Blythewood is predominantly served by two electric companies: Fairfield Electric Cooperative, Inc., and Dominion Energy. If you see dead or fallen trees near power lines in your area, we recommend contacting the associated power company as soon as possible. They maintain trees near power lines through pruning, trimming, and tree removal, as needed. Stay away from the area and do not attempt to remove the trees yourself, as there is a large potential risk of electrical shock or even fire. If the power lines are managed by Dominion Energy, residents can report a downed power line or other unsafe conditions online.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Blythewood?
In Blythewood, tree removal can generally cost between $400 and $2,200. Some tree removal projects cost more than others due to factors such as the size and condition of the tree, the safety or complexity of the surrounding environment, and any additional services required to complete the project. Three cost factors to consider are:
Size of the Tree
When you need to remove a tree from your property, consider the height, weight, and foliage of the tree. Tall trees, especially if they’re still standing, require us to bring cranes and specialty equipment to safely cut down and remove from your property. So a 10-foot-tall tree may cost significantly less to remove than a 40-foot-tall tree.
Also, the diameter of the tree trunk can play a significant role in the total cost of the project. Thicker trees take more time (and more powerful equipment) to cut through. They may also have a lot of thick branches that need to be cut and hauled away separately.
Condition of the Tree
Rotted and fallen trees are often easier and safer to remove because the wood has broken down and requires less cutting. So you may have a lower final cost than the bill for cutting down a healthy tree that has solid wood and is still standing when our teams arrive. Additional complications include infested or infected trees. It’s important to take care with infected and infested trees to quarantine the tree and reduce the risk of spread. This can complicate tree removal projects, especially in densely wooded areas.
Additional Services
Some tree removal projects require more services than simply removing the tree. This can include cutting down the tree for safe removal, as well as grinding down the tree stump so it’s not a safety hazard or a potential attraction for fungus. Additional services you may want for your tree removal project include the cleanup of leaves and foliage, inspections of nearby trees, and insecticide treatments if you’re removing a tree due to a case of severe pest damage.
