AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Spartanburg, SC

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Spartanburg?

Trees of any age are vulnerable to the wrath of nature, though. One of the biggest threats to trees here from the insect world is the Emerald Ash Borer. Sightings of this insect continue after officially being detected locally in 2017.

Another invasive tree insect is Crapemyrtle Bark Scale, which is as destructive as the Borer. These two insects are considered the true monsters of tree health in Spartanburg, even though they’re impossible to stop completely.

Numerous tree diseases are also prevalent in the area. Dutch Elm Disease is still killing off older American Elms. However, it’s far from the only thing that could disrupt tree health.

Tree blight, and even construction crews, often cause problems. In the case of construction, workers could disrupt tree roots when they dig up ground mere feet away from a large tree trunk.

Does the City of Spartanburg Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?

One great organization here in Spartanburg is the Noble Tree Foundation, which is made exclusively for planting and protecting trees within the city. This foundation helped fund the replacement of trees in Barnet Park when all the trees there became diseased in 1999.

NTF continues to promote tree planting and maintenance, though they aren’t directly responsible for any city tree removals. To do that, we have to go through the city, including obtaining a permit.

Any tree removal here has to adhere to Spartanburg Zoning Ordinance Section 505.5, which means all tree care is carefully considered. To fill out the permit, provide the contact info of the property owners, the contractor’s name, plus the reason the tree has to be removed.

Keep in mind this only applies to trees posing a danger to property or life within city property. When we own a tree in our yard, procedures are a little different. Then again, if a tree on private property poses risks, the city may require us to obtain a permit to take care of the tree through pruning or removal.

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Spartanburg?

Before residents call us for tree removal, they sometimes express confusion about their responsibilities. When is someone responsible for a fallen tree when it’s on private property?

For renters and landlords, other laws and rules may apply. Trees falling on a neighbor’s property or home is another matter and can potentially lead to legal recourse.

If you’re a homeowner?

Everyone in Spartanburg has to consider specific responsibilities when a tree falls. Much of this depends on where the tree happens to fall. Any tree falling on your property is your sole responsibility since it may also do damage to our homes.

This isn’t to say some trees might appear to be on your property when they’re really on Spartanburg’s Right of Way line. No one has a right to cut down a tree within the city property line without a permit. Without permission, it’s a misdemeanor.

A tree falling on your property means you’re entirely responsible for cleanup and any damages. If damage occurs to your home, turning to a homeowner’s insurance policy is the best plan to avoid losing money.

If you’re a renter?

In most cases, renters are not responsible for a fallen tree since landlords are supposed to do preventative maintenance for safety purposes. Any trees posing dangers to people or property require action so landlords can avoid lawsuits.

If you’re a landlord?

Some landlords put together contracts allowing renters to take care of their yards. Also, there may be a stipulation that if the renter buys a tree on the rental property, they hold the responsibility for a tree fall.

Overall, landlords here take care of trees on the property they own as a safety measure and for legal protection. Preventative maintenance is good for everyone in the long run since it prevents any trees from falling in the first place.

If you’re a neighbor?

When trees fall on a neighbor’s side, sometimes things get complicated. Based on South Carolina law, there could be legal consequences if a tree falls on another person’s property.

What it comes down to is proving tree negligence. If our tree falls on our neighbor’s yard due to an act of God (uncontrollable acts of nature), then our neighbor is only responsible for removing the tree. If your tree falls on your neighbor’s yard, but your neighbor can prove you were negligent about taking care of or removing your tree before the tree fell, then you’re responsible for tree removal. Your neighbors can even take legal action if the tree damaged their property.

Our tree care team sees this scenario far too often. Taking care of a diseased tree early should always be a top priority as a homeowner.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Spartanburg?

Trees here in Spartanburg can easily die or thrive based on the area’s soil contents. Learning what kind of soil we have is important since it helps determine whether trees on our property truly stay healthy long-term.

South Carolina’s soil survey shows Lynchburg soil as one of the most prevalent throughout the region. This soil type is known for its sand, silt, and clay texture, which is still a very good mixture for tree growth.

Even though sand is known to easily erode, having clay soil in the mix creates one of the best tree soils based on how well it holds water. Its only drawback is that clay can easily expand and shrink based on temperature extremes and how much water it gets.

Since Spartanburg can easily experience long, hot summers (sometimes with droughts), it’s best to consider adding organic materials and mulch when soil is dry. Also, watch out for too much water since it can turn clay into a viscous mess.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Spartanburg?

As nice as the summers are in Spartanburg, the city can also experience severe weather events. Considering the city is frequently in the path of hurricanes, major windstorms are not a friend to trees here.

Tornadoes have become one of the worst natural disasters in Spartanburg over the years. Some of those are spurred on by hurricane remnants, or just due to the usual major thunderstorms that blow through.

All it takes is one small wind gust to knock over our most vulnerable trees. When trees go over from the wind, it leaves a major mess to clean up for our tree care crews.

Since thunderstorm winds outnumber any other disaster here, it’s important to remember it’s going to take time for cleanup after similar weather events occur. Patience from residents is always appreciated, even if it may be a scary time for all of us. Still, the city is always preparing for the worst.

The worst case is when a potential wildfire rips through the area, potentially wiping out a bevy of old trees in less than 24 hours. All we can do is protect our local trees the best we can since the weather is all too commonly unpredictable.

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Spartanburg?

Our staff has seen it all when it comes to cleaning up trees over power lines. One thing we continue to warn about is residents not attempting cleanup on their own. It’s far too dangerous and needs the help of professionals who know what they’re doing.

Let professionals handle all tree debris when power lines are involved, even if a few branches fell. Just know that if the power goes out for a while, it might take extra time for cleanup to complete.

Spartanburg’s local power utility (mainly Duke Energy) is usually the one taking care of this. Remember that if the tree is on city property, the city is the only one to take of the problem. On private residential property, we work with and communicate with Duke Energy (and other local power utilities) to make sure they turn off the power for safety before we remove the tree debris.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Spartanburg?

What our residents pay in tree care service varies based on factors few of us can control. Most of it has to do with nature and its unpredictability. The average price of tree removal here in Spartanburg can cost around $585, with the lowest being $295. It could go as high as $1,975 or more for the most complex jobs.

The following factors may impact the cost of tree removal:

Hurricanes and Other Severe Storms

When hurricanes hit the Spartanburg area, it often leads to extended work on the part of our tree care workers.

After those storms, many members of the community will be seeking out tree removal services, so it may cost more if someone needs immediate attention.

Size of the Tree Trunk

Some of the oldest trees in Spartanburg have trunks as big as cars. Depending on the size of the trunk, expect to pay possibly several hundred dollars more on the bill to get it removed.

Old oak trees in the area are some of the best examples.

Remote Areas

Accessibility is a big problem for our tree care workers when a fallen tree is in a remote location. Some private properties exist in remote areas like this, requiring more rugged equipment to gain access.

If accessibility becomes problematic by foot, it might even mean requiring the use of a helicopter to take the debris out of the way. All of that is going to cost extra money, albeit a scenario that isn’t overly common.