Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Greer?
- 2 Does the City of Greer Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Greer?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Greer?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Greer?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Greer?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Greer?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Greer?
Greer is considered one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing cities. Yet, it still retains that small-town feel, but now with the opportunities of a larger city. Greer is located in the upstate region of South Carolina with a population of approximately 28,000 people. The city was originally a hunting ground for the local Cherokee tribe and was settled by pioneer families in the 1700s. One such family was that of James Manning Greer, the city’s namesake.
Today, the city is known for its recreation areas including parks, orchards, and markets filled with beautiful trees and gorgeous vegetation that make the place enjoyable for all ages. That is why homeowners in Greer put their plants and trees first and try to make sure that their vegetation remains healthy. However, before tree owners can take the preventative measures necessary to protect their trees, they first need to take the time to learn about the unique tree issues in the area so that they can recognize signs of tree problems before they escalate. Some of the more common tree problems that residents in Greer need to be aware of include:
Hypoxylon Canker
The hypoxylon canker is a white-rot fungal disease primarily attacking the hickories, pecans, and oaks in South Carolina. This plant disease appears as a dead lesion on limbs, trunks, and branches of affected trees. Although it usually does not affect healthy trees, it can spread across trees that are already severely damaged, weakened, or stressed because of prolonged periods of drought.
Fire Blight
Fire blight is one of the most difficult-to-control diseases that attacks fruit trees, including pear and apple trees and other rosaceous ornamental plants. This bacterial disease can spread rapidly, killing individual trees when conditions are suitable for the disease to develop. Typically, fire blight causes the dieback of branches from cankers and causes young leaves and shoots to wilt and bend downward, forming the shape of a hook. Usually, when multiple trees are infected, the shoots may appear scorched by fire.
Anthracnose
This fungal disease tends to attack trees and plants in the spring when the weather is cold and wet. It typically goes after the ash, maple, and sycamore trees and causes their leaves to drop, become distorted, cupped, and get irregularly shaped blotches on them.
Does the City of Greer Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The County of Greenville provides trim and removal tree services for trees that are within the right-of-way. To trim or remove these trees, residents of Greer can contact the Public Works Division at (864) 467-7016 or the State Highway Department at (864) 241-1224 to speak with a representative and see what can be done.
In addition, the Greer Neighborhood Services has created a tool lending program for residents who do not have the resources to maintain their yards. This program allows residents to loan out yard tools at no cost to them to maintain their property, plants, and trees.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Greer?
Generally, property owners in Greer are responsible for maintaining their private trees. Yet, figuring out who is liable for the costs associated with removing a dead or fallen tree is not as clear-cut as many people expect it to be.
If you’re a homeowner?
If a tree topples over because of natural causes, such as a severe storm, the property owner of the place where the tree has fallen is responsible for taking care of the costs of removing the tree. Yet, it is essential to note that homeowners in Greer are also responsible for caring for their trees to prevent them from damaging their neighbor’s property. This means that if a homeowner notices their trees show signs of weakness or instability, they need to take reasonable action to call us to either trim the tree or remove it within a period of time. Otherwise, these homeowners can be held liable for the damages that result from the tree falling.
If you’re a renter?
In general, a landlord and a renter will enter into a rental property agreement ahead of time and agree on how each party will be responsible for maintaining the property. However, if issues come up that are not mentioned in the lease, the landlord will usually be responsible for making any necessary repairs, while the renter will be in charge of maintaining the property. Consequently, if a tree falls, it will likely cause damage beyond the scope of the renter’s responsibility and become an issue for the landlord to handle.
If you’re a landlord?
As mentioned above, it is customary for a landlord to be held accountable for a fallen tree since they often own the property the tree is located on. As a result, these landlords will be responsible for taking care of the costs associated with a dead tree or a fallen tree.
However, before a landlord takes on this issue on their own, they should first reach out to their insurance company. Insurers will often cover the damages resulting from a fallen tree unless the policy indicates that it does not cover “acts of God.”
If you’re a neighbor?
In South Carolina, the legal theory of negligence is often followed when it comes to a fallen tree. What does this mean? Under this principle, the property owner from where the fallen tree originated will be liable for the tree if the property owner knew, or should have known, that the tree was dangerous. Otherwise, if the tree falls on a neighbor’s property because of a natural cause, the property owner will generally not be held liable for the costs associated with removing the fallen tree and other damages.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Greer?
The soil in Greer consists of very deep, moderately permeable soils, which were formed in clayey marine sediments on the Coastal Plain that are well-drained. As a result, most of the area is ideal for the production of corn, cotton, small grain, soybeans, truck crops, pastures, and orchards. In addition, the soil is also great for wooded areas that are filled with pine trees, oak trees, and hickory trees.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Greer?
The climate in Greer is warm and humid, with the average annual precipitation ranging from 50 to 64 inches of rain and moderate temperatures hovering around 63 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
That is why the cooler temperatures of the fall make it the best time to plant a tree in South Carolina since the weather allows the roots from fall-planted trees to establish before spring. In addition, because the tops of the trees are often dormant during the colder months, all the growing energy is sent towards root growth, meaning when spring arrives in Greer, the expanded healthy root system can support and handle a full surge of new spring growth.
For these reasons, if you are considering planting a tree in Greer, consider the following varieties that can handle the area’s changing climate:
- Ash trees
- Birch trees
- Cedar trees
- Cypress trees
- Ginkgo trees
- Elm trees
- Oak trees
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Greer?
The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requires that electric utility companies maintain and trim trees near power lines. Consequently, utility companies such as Greer CPW are held accountable for maintenance requests regarding trees and utility lines.
At CPW, the company makes it a goal to maintain their system and ensure that it is healthy and outages are minimal. To do this, they have an asset management program where they regularly inspect, repair, and test infrastructure to know when critical components of the system need replacing.
The utility company also has a proactive tree-trimming program to ensure that the electric system experiences minimal outages, even during the worst weather events. That is why if you notice an issue with a tree encroaching on your power line, it is vital to contact Greer CPW at (864) 848-5500 and speak with a representative about your problem.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Greer?
Removing a tree in Greer will usually cost homeowners around $600. However, these costs are often dependent on the work that needs to be done, the size of the tree, the location of the tree, and the tree’s accessibility. Your total may be anywhere between $200 and $1,900.
Tree Size
In Greer, the tree’s size will play a significant role in the removal costs. This is because removing a large tree can pose more risks and safety issues than removing a small tree. Consequently, removing medium-height trees that average between 30 feet to 60 feet in Greer will cost anywhere from $150 to $900. While tall trees that are 60 feet to 80 feet will usually cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 or more to cut down.
Access to Trees
Another factor that can impact the cost of tree removal has to do with access to the tree and the terrain the tree is on. For example, we will look into whether:
- Removing the debris from the area will be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process
- The property where the tree is located is small and it is challenging to access the tree
- It will be challenging to get large equipment onto the area and complete the job properly
In addition, our arborists will also check out the area surrounding the tree and determine if the area poses any issues for them, such as whether a garden or a fence blocks the tree or if the tree is on a slope. If any of these issues are present, it can affect the final costs.
Tree Health
Finally, if a tree is diseased, dying, or at risk of falling over, it may require that our arborists use increased safety measures and equipment to ensure that injury is prevented when the tree is being removed. As a result, if these special precautions need to be incorporated, it can significantly increase the cost of the tree removal bill.
