Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Knoxville?
- 2 Does The City Of Knoxville Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Knoxville?
- 4 How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Knoxville?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Knoxville?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines In Knoxville?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost In Knoxville?
What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Knoxville?
The emerald ash borer is a common pest that lays its eggs under the bark of ash trees. When the larvae hatch, they feed off of the tree and emerge as adults. These pests can quickly infest ash trees and kill them without proper intervention.
Bagworms are another common pest that can be found on trees in Knoxville. These small larvae live, grow, and feast on the leaves of healthy trees. If left untreated, your trees can defoliate and even die. Wooly hackberries are another pest that can be found feeding on sugarberry and hackberry trees.
Healthy trees in Knoxville can be stricken with diseases like leaf rust, a fungal infection that leaves white patches on leaves as well as hemlock wooly adelgid, which leaves white masses on the bottoms of hemlock needles and twigs. If you notice small clusters of twigs on your tree branches, your tree may be suffering from witches’ broom disease. These broom-like clusters are evidence that your tree may be suffering from a bacterial infection or parasites. When this happens, it’s best to call our experts so we can diagnose the problem and create a treatment plan.
Knoxville also battles its share of invasive plants. They are highly adaptable and fast-growing plants that invade local forests and private properties. It’s important to remove these invasive plants, so your native trees can grow without competing for the resources they need to thrive. Some invasive plants that you can find in Knoxville include:
- Mimosa trees
- Honeysuckle
- Privet
- Kudzu
You can find more examples of invasive plants in Knoxville on page 20 of Knox County’s Tree Conservation and Planting Plan.
Does The City Of Knoxville Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?
The city doesn’t have any programs in place for the removal of dead or dying trees, so if you need a tree removed from your property, you’ll have to call our arborists. The only exception is when your tree is interfering with power lines. The Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) is in charge of pruning and removing dead trees that interfere with power lines in Knoxville. If your tree is dead, they will remove it at no cost to you, leaving only the stump behind. If you review the pruning style that KUB will be using on your tree limbs and can come to an agreement with them that your tree should be removed instead, they will remove the tree for you. This only applies to trees that need to be so severely pruned around power lines that they will no longer be aesthetically pleasing or the pruning would injure the tree significantly.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Knoxville?
When it comes to disputes among neighbors, tree removal is at the top of the list. Property lines may be clearly defined, but sometimes the lines of responsibility are muddy. The University of Tennessee created a document titled “Tree Owner’s Rights and Responsibilities” to help homeowners when trees fall. Here’s what the professionals have to say:
If You’re A Homeowner?
If you have trees growing on your property, it is your responsibility to care for and maintain them. If a tree falls due to an “act of God,” you will not be found at fault. If your insurance can prove that your fallen tree was neglected or that you were aware of a hazardous tree, you can be held liable for the cost of damages and tree removal fees.
If You’re A Renter?
If you rent your home, you also rent the property, including the trees. You are not responsible for tree maintenance and you will not be held responsible if a tree falls. If your personal property is damaged, like your car or patio furniture, you can request that your landlord’s insurance covers the replacement fees. If they give you trouble about it, you may need to contact a lawyer to help you out.
If You’re a Landlord?
As a landlord, your responsibility is to maintain the homes and properties that you own. This includes all trees within your property lines. If a tree falls on one of your rental properties as a result of an “act of God,” your insurance will likely cover the cost. The only time this may not occur is if your insurance can prove that you had neglected a hazardous tree. If this happens, you may be held liable for the cost of the tree’s removal.
If You’re A Neighbor?
If a tree is on your property, the tree and the responsibility of caring for it belong to you. Border and boundary trees muddy the lines because they are shared between neighbors. It is your responsibility to prune all tree limbs and roots that are on your property as long as you don’t injure the tree. Avoid conflict and do your best to work together to care for any boundary or border trees that you share.
If a storm blows in and a neighbor’s tree falls onto your property, your homeowner’s insurance will likely cover the cost of removal. Any “act of God” that can’t be foreseen is generally covered by your homeowner’s insurance. If your neighbor had been neglecting their trees or had knowingly left a hazardous tree to fall, your insurance will likely go after them for payment.
How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Knoxville?
Knox County conducted an extensive soil survey to get to the root of its soil health. In general, East Tennessee has soil that contains a lot of clay. This soil type is rich in nutrients and feeds tree roots with everything they need to thrive. The downside to clay soil is that it retains moisture and doesn’t drain very well. To remediate this, all you have to do is mix in some compost or finely ground pine bark to your soil before planting any new trees. The organic components will help disperse the clay, allowing water to flow more freely.
Overall, the soil in Knoxville is perfectly suited for most trees to grow healthy and strong.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Knoxville?
Knoxville experiences hot, humid summers that provide the perfect condition for many tree varieties to thrive. Winter is short, and the temperature doesn’t drop low enough to damage trees significantly. Native trees love the long summer weather and have very few obstacles in growing successfully in the subtropical climate.
Severe weather occasionally poses a threat to native trees in the spring and summer months. Strong storms can bring heavy rains and high winds that can uproot weak and unstable trees. A falling tree can cause significant damage to your home or family, so make sure to keep an eye on sick trees and call our tree removal experts in Knoxville at the first sign of a hazardous tree.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines In Knoxville?
The Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) is in charge of providing maintenance to trees in Knoxville. If you have a dead tree near the power lines on your property, call KUB’s Vegetation Management number at (865) 558-6658. If it is an emergency or after hours, you can call (865) 524-2911. The KUB will prune, and when necessary, remove dead trees that are interfering with power lines that run between utility poles. If your hazardous tree or limbs are located near the line that runs between the utility pole and your house, then it becomes your responsibility to prune or remove the tree.
If the KUB does need to remove a tree from your property, ask them about tree replacement. When supplies are available, the company will plant a new tree on your property in a different location to replace the dead tree that was removed.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost In Knoxville?
Tree removal in Knoxville is never a one-size-fits-all approach. If you need to have a tree removed in Knoxville, it’s always best to call our experts, so you can get a quote for your specific need. According to our records, the average cost for tree removal in Knoxville is around $600. Your price may vary though as several cost factors will affect your final price.
Tree size
If your tree is big and tall, it’s going to take a lot more manpower and time for us to remove it. Large trees require extensive pruning before removal and when time, manpower, and supplies are considered, your price will likely increase. Smaller trees, on the other hand, will cost much less to remove. As tree size increases, the price does as well, and this cost factor will be the greatest variable in your final price.
Accessibility
If your tree is far from other obstacles, its removal will be a fairly simple process. If it’s near your house or power lines, the price will reflect the extra effort needed to bring it down safely. Removing a tree near a house requires a level of finesse that our expert arborists should be adequately compensated for. In the same regard, we will likely charge more for tree removal near power lines to account for the extra safety measures taken to complete the job.
Location
Trees that are near a road or other drivable surface are much easier to remove than those that are hard to reach. Your final price will be much higher if it is difficult for our arborists to bring their equipment to the site. We always find a way to safely and successfully remove a tree, but the extra effort in getting to your tree will be reflected in the price of removal.
