Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Maryville?
- 2 Does the City of Maryville Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Maryville?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Maryville?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Maryville?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Maryville?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Maryville?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Maryville?
Since John Craig first used trees in the area to build a palisade fort to the beautiful trees that grace many of our modern yards and shade our sidewalks, we in Maryville have appreciated our trees. From the leafy paths of Bicentennial Park to the tree-lined streets of College Hill, trees both old and young improve our air quality and beautify our city.
Tree Diseases
Few of us think of our trees as not being able to catch diseases, but they most certainly can. In fact, many tree diseases are difficult, if not impossible to treat effectively, making good tree maintenance and care critical for the trees we love in our yards, parks, and along our shady streets. Some commonly found diseases around Maryville include:
- Thousand Cankers — This fungus attacks many trees, especially black walnuts. It spreads easily, so firewood is quarantined in Blount County to limit its spread.
- Anthracnose — Multiple kinds of anthracnose fungi attack trees especially in cool, wet weather, causing leaves to wither and drop. Most vulnerable are dogwood, sycamore, ash, and maples. Each infection weakens a tree and repeated infections can cause a tree to die.
Insect Pests
While we often worry about bee stings, mosquito bites, ticks, and other insects which bother us and our pets, many people are unaware of the insect pests which attack our trees. Most have arrived accidentally as invasive species with shipments from abroad and have spread over the years and decades since. Common tree pests around Maryville include:
- Emerald Ash Borer — A recent arrival, these insects bore their way under the bark of ash trees, often killing affected trees in just a couple of years.
- Hemlock Wooly Adelgid — This tiny insect can infest beautiful, native hemlock trees, often killing them in a matter of a few years.
Does the City of Maryville Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The City of Maryville does not directly help residents with tree removal issues, unless the trees in question are public trees and thus, the responsibility of the city. The Code Enforcement and Public Works departments can, however, assist you if you notice dangerous trees or limbs that overhang sidewalks, block the line-of-sight at intersections, or other such problems. Those can be reported to the Engineering & Public Works department for road or sidewalk hazards or the Code Enforcement Department for problems on private property.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Maryville?
According to Tennessee law, the responsibility for a fallen tree’s removal depends largely on the tree’s health. If a healthy tree falls, it is usually considered an “act of God” and the owner of the property where it has fallen (and their insurance company) are normally liable for its removal, regardless of who the tree belonged to. If, however, a tree was obviously, visibly in poor shape, it may be the tree’s owner who foots the bill. Trees that grow across a property line may have multiple responsible property owners.
If you’re a homeowner?
In general, homeowners (and their insurance companies) are responsible for removing healthy trees which fall onto their properties as the result of a storm or other natural occurrence. The tree’s owner is usually responsible when a tree was obviously dead or dying, especially if the tree’s owner was aware of its poor condition but negligent. Luckily, in such cases, the property owners’ insurance companies will usually come to a decision about who is responsible and can often help with tree removal costs in addition to any claims for damage the falling tree caused.
If you’re a renter?
Renters, as a rule, are usually not responsible for tree removal, though you may be in charge of other regular property maintenance such as mowing the lawn. Instead, your landlord is normally the one who must handle tree removal as the property owner. You can help prevent damage by reporting to your landlord any damaged or unhealthy-looking trees on both your property and neighboring lots, so they can be taken care of before they cause a disaster.
If you’re a landlord?
Landlords are normally responsible for tree removal in the same way that homeowner residents are. Properly maintaining the trees on the property you rent out is a great way to achieve better tenant-landlord relations and to protect your valuable investment.
If you’re a neighbor?
You are generally responsible for a healthy tree that falls on your property, even if it grew on your neighbor’s lot. If you told your neighbor about their dead or dying tree, and they didn’t take care of it, they may be liable for its removal if it falls onto your property. Alerting your neighbors to potential tree problems and taking care of trees on your own property are great ways to be good neighbors.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Maryville?
Around Maryville, most of our soil is a silty clay loam. Loam is an ideal soil for most plants and trees to grow in, with about 3/4 of it made up of sand and silt and about 1/4 made up of clay. Sand and silt work together to help soil drain water and have space for air and water to move through it. In general, the more sand, the faster a soil will drain. Clay in soil causes it to bind together and retain water and nutrients which tree roots can absorb for growth. While our soil has a little more clay content than might be ideal, it is still a wonderful soil in which trees can thrive, as our many tall trees and shady parks bear witness.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Maryville?
The weather in Maryville is generally good for tree growth with plenty of rain, sunshine, and good weather. Summer storms can bring strong winds that can pull limbs from trees and even take down whole trees — especially ones weakened by damage, disease, or other conditions. While tornadoes are uncommon here, they do come through on occasion, leaving tree damage in their wake. Even when trees are not severely damaged, the bare areas where limbs may have been pulled down offer insect pests and diseases an opportunity to attack a tree. Winter’s snow, and more often, ice storms can add a substantial amount of weight for trees to bear, and those with split trunks or widely spreading limbs may be vulnerable to breaking.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Maryville?
The Maryville Electric Department has provided electricity to our city since 1939, and is responsible for maintaining the integrity of utility transmission lines, including tree maintenance along those lines, in accordance with the reliability standards specified by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Those regulations indicate that utility companies must “manage vegetation” along transmission lines to limit the chance of outages due to trees or limbs falling on power lines. If you live near a transmission line, you probably already know that Maryville Electric will trim your trees around that line, and will remove all or part of a dead or dying tree that threatens the lines. If only part of a tree is removed, the remainder is normally your responsibility to take care of, as are any trees growing near your service line (from the pole to your house). If you see dead trees near transmission lines, you can contact Maryville Electric at (865) 273-3300 to report them. If you are adding or replacing trees on your property, following the Right Tree Right Place guide can help you choose species which will not grow to interfere with power lines.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Maryville?
Many people delay having tree removal work done because they cherish their trees and because they fear the cost of having them removed will be too expensive. Having a tree removed can prevent damage caused when a dead or dying tree eventually falls — which can often be a much more expensive proposition. In fact, you may be pleased to know that tree removal prices average about $550 in Maryville, though trees that have already fallen will usually cost substantially less to remove, and larger trees can reach up to around $1,800 or more. Of course, every tree and the location in which it grows can be so different, prices can vary widely. Some of the most common aspects of a tree removal job that influence prices include:
Size and Type of Tree
Sometimes, bigger is better. Unfortunately for tree removal, bigger usually means more work for us and thus, a more expensive tree to remove from your property. Smaller trees tend to be much easier to remove, requiring less time, less labor, and less equipment. The type of tree you need to have removed can also affect your costs. Trees with very hard, dense wood such as oak, hickory, or hop-hornbeam, all native species around Maryville, can require a lot more work to take down and our prices are adjusted accordingly.
Location and Accessibility
Some trees we need to remove are in the midst of a clear yard, away from power lines and other hazards, making for a relatively easy (and inexpensive) job. Other times, trees are close to your home, garage, swimming pool, patio, other trees, landscaping, and your neighbors’ properties, too. The more planning, preparation, and care we need to take when removing your tree, the more it will generally cost. In addition, if we need to work in more difficult terrain, such as the steeper slopes of West Maryville, or if the layout of your property makes it impossible to get our equipment in an ideal position, that may add to our labor and so, to your costs.
Additional Equipment and Services
Some tree removals require specialized equipment, such as a bucket truck, to perform safely, for example, a dead tree leaning over power lines can be too dangerous to climb safely for removal. Any additional equipment we need can add to your costs. If we need a larger crew to take care of your tree, that can also add to the expense. Finally, many homeowners choose to have additional services such as stump grinding, limb chipping, or log splitting done — if you opt for these, it may affect your bottom line.