AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Rapid City, SD

What Are the Most Common Trees in Rapid City?

Eastern South Dakota and the area around Rapid City are considered to have the most fertile soil used to grow various crops. There is quite a bit of ranching in the area, and it’s the predominant activity in the area. The area experiences four distinct seasons, and there are also quite a few grasslands in the area where they raise cattle and other livestock. 

The trees in this area have to be able to withstand the changing weather of the four seasons. The most common trees throughout the Rapid City area include lots of conifer and deciduous trees. These trees include elm, walnut, cottonwood, chokeberry, birch, willow, spruce, cedar, and pine trees that grow throughout the area.

One problem for trees in Rapid City is Dutch Elm Disease. This disease made its first known appearance in South Dakota in 1967 in Minnehaha County. In a few years, it had spread to over 26 counties. The primary visible symptom for Dutch Elm Disease is wilting leaves, prematurely turning yellow or brown. However, other diseases can cause similar symptoms, so visible signs of Dutch Elm Disease are not always positive indicators of this particular disease. If an elm tree shows signs of wilting of foliage and brown streaking in the wood, give us a call and our professionals can properly diagnose the situation and determine the proper course of action.

Another issue is the Emerald Ash Borer. In the 1980s, dead elms, due to a strike of Dutch elm disease, were replaced with ash trees. The Emerald Ash Borer is a beetle that came from Asia that bores into trees and slowly kills it. However, it can take up to 5 years for this beetle to kill a tree. Signs of infestation include D-shaped holes in the bark, thinning and discolored leaves, and loss of bark or canopy. Treating infected trees is best left to professionals. If you suspect you have this issue on your property, give us a call and we will send over our licensed professionals to take action. Our arborists can also assist in determining if you have other trees that may be worth looking into preventative treatments for.

In Rapid City, one other tree issue to look out for is Fire Blight; a bacterial disease that is spread between trees during blossom. Symptoms of this disease include dieback of branches from the outer tip. Leaves may also appear to have wilted and remained on its branches, giving the appearance of having been scorched by fire. Infected branches must be pruned at least six inches into the uninfected part. Trees that are susceptible to Fire Blight can also receive preventative treatment. If you suspect you have a case of Fire Blight in and around your property, it’s best to give us a call promptly and have us address any issues.

With any suspected issues you may have or preventative treatments you might want to have done, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We have a team of professionals that can not only help address any tree issues you might have, but also detect and prevent any tree issues from getting any worse – or possibly manifesting at all.

Does the City of Rapid City Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?

There is public assistance available through Rapid City for homeowners who make less than 100% of the average median income for Rapid City. The reimbursement program runs annually, and the benefit is capped at $800 per household annually. The amount of funding assistance provided will not exceed 75% of the cost of removing the entire tree.

However, when trees fall on public lands, including town, city, and state parks and public-owned lands. The Department of Parks and Recreation provides reimbursement for companies who remove trees from public land within Rapid City. This reimbursement allows trees to be removed when necessary to help manage the forests and the health of our landscape here within Rapid City. Trees that qualify are those that would cause dangers to our neighborhoods and residents if not removed. The city identifies trees that need to be removed on an annual basis.

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Rapid City?

Individuals are responsible for any trees that fall on their personal property near their home or business and on the land of any rental properties that they may own. The City of Rapid City takes care of any trees that fall on public government lands within the city, such as trees falling near roadways or in city parks.

The following will show who is responsible for fallen trees when they happen on private property in Rapid City:

If you’re a homeowner?

If you are a homeowner, you are responsible for removing any trees on your personal property and the cost associated with the tree’s removal. Rapid City offers a tree removal assistance program funded annually to allow anyone who makes less than 100% of the median income in the area to have assistance paying for the cost of tree removal. If the fund is out of money, it will be 100% the homeowner’s responsibility to remove the tree.

If you’re a renter?

Renters have no responsibility to pay for the removal of trees or other costs that are associated with the costs of maintaining the rental property or the land surrounding it. You are only responsible for paying your rent on time each month and the rest of the maintenance costs associated with owning a property.

If you’re a landlord?

Landlords are responsible for making sure that their rental properties are kept in good condition at all times. This will include removing fallen trees and other yard work and maintenance that needs to be done on the property regularly. Landlords are not permitted to charge tenants for additional costs incurred when maintaining or doing repairs to the property unless the tenant purposely damaged their property in any way. The good news for landlords is that you can write the cost of maintaining the rental properties of your tax returns each year.

If you’re a neighbor?

If your neighbor has a tree that falls onto your property, it will be the responsibility of whoever’s property the tree was on to pay for its removal. Knowing where your property lines are will help determine whose property the tree originated on. If the tree were on your property, you would need to cover the cost to have it removed and pay for any damage that the fallen tree causes to your neighbor’s property.

Your neighbors are people that have to live next to you. Treat their property as you would want yours treated. It would help if you always tried to make a situation like this right, as you will have long-term relationships with those around you impacted by what happens over time.

How Does Soil Affect Trees in Rapid City?

Large percentages of the soil in Rapid City are derived from glacial till from sediment laid in the area by glaciers that previously existed there a long time ago. These glacial till deposits make the soil in the area medium-textured. They have a high natural level of fertility, which allows the area to be used for many agricultural purposes. The form of soil there is called Houdek soil, which is currently not known to be found in any other state, and is a type of soil ideal for deciduous trees to take root in. Essentially, the rich, red soil of the Black Hills region is great for local trees. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Rapid City?

The weather in Rapid City varies greatly throughout the year. Rapid City experiences four distinct, different seasons. Temperatures can drop as low as 17ºF in the winter and rise as high as 86ºFin the summer. These are averages, but temperatures can go higher and lower during cold snaps or heat waves as well. 

Trees from the deciduous and conifer families can withstand the seasons that Rapid City gets each year, making these trees the most popular. Most of these trees lose their leaves and lie dormant in the colder months, then grow in the warmer months. They will get leaves and come alive in spring and die off in fall each year. This allows these trees to endure the temperature changes that Rapid City experiences on an annual basis. It’s important to keep in mind the weather changes in Rapid City when planting trees, as only certain trees are able to withstand its seasons.

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Rapid City?

If you see a tree near a power line in Rapid City, please call your power company, such as the Montana-Dakota Utilities Company or the West River Electric Association. Notify them that there is a tree down near a power line and let them handle the situation. Please do not try to remove the tree yourself as it can lead to serious injury or even result in death. Trained professionals can remove the tree safely and keep you safe at the same time. The electric companies throughout Rapid City will try to respond as quickly as possible to minimize the danger to our local area.

How Much Does Tree Removal Cost In Rapid City?

Tree removal in Rapid City will average between $10 to $14 per square foot. The average tree removal will cost between $150 and $2,000, depending on the size of the tree. If you need stumps removed, the grinding fee will usually run between $100 and $500, depending on the size and depth of the roots on the stump that needs removing. 

The following are three factors that are taken into consideration for what you will pay to remove a tree in Rapid City.

Tree Size

The general rule of thumb is that the bigger the tree is, the more it will cost to remove the tree. For example, a small tree that is 20 feet tall will cost a lot less to remove than an 80-foot tree in the same condition. It will be more expensive because the tree is larger and takes more time and effort to have it cut down and removed.

Tree Location

There can be two trees that are the same size, but the prices to remove them will be totally different if they are in different locations. Trees closer to a structure like your house shed or another structure will have to be taken down more carefully to damage the nearby structure. If you have a tree in the middle of an open yard, it can be cut down into several large pieces, and it will take a lot less time. 

Labor Required

If a tree has to be cut down into smaller pieces or broken up into sawdust, the tree will cost more to remove. The more time and labor it takes to remove the tree, the more expensive it will be to remove it. 

These are just some of the things that will factor in removing a tree from your property in Rapid City. Of course, the cost will vary based on your tree and specific situation, but the cost is generally in the aforementioned range. Contact us today for a quote! We will be able to tell you exactly what you are looking at paying if you choose to have us take on the job. 

This should give you an idea of the cost of removing a tree on your property in Rapid City. Many variables come into play, but this gives you a general range of costs and what you can expect to pay to remove your average tree.