AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Memphis, TN

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Memphis?

Home to Graceland, the home to the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, Memphis, has an interesting and culturally significant history and is located in southwestern Tennessee along the Mississippi River. It is a relatively urban area but also has more rural outlying communities. This, along with its location in “Dixie Alley,” the name was given to the area southeast of “Tornado Alley,” contributes to some unique problems for trees.

• Tornados: Even though Memphis is not located in the more well-known Tornado Alley areas, the area sees frequent and severe tornados, and Dixie Alley tornados are often more dangerous. This is due to the formation of high-precipitation cells that cause the tornados to be more unstable and wrapped in rain, which makes the tornados more challenging to see. 
• Disease: Trees in Memphis are subject to tree blight, which is a group of tree diseases caused by fungus and bacteria, or leaf miners, which are tiny black flies whose larvae cause significant leaf damage. There are also more species-specific diseases, such as Sycamore Anthracnose diseases and Dutch Elm Tree diseases. Many of these diseases can lead to what is colloquially known as “Zombie Trees,” which are trees that appear alive but are rotting on the inside. These trees have a high risk of falling during storms and causing significant damage. 

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

The City of Memphis does not provide much assistance with tree removals. They will only remove trees in the street, and even if the tree is a city tree, if it falls on private property, it is the owner’s responsibility to have it removed. However, the city maintains areas of the city’s right of way, including tree trimming. They also maintain trees in public spaces. 

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Memphis?

If a tree falls and requires removal, you might wonder if it is your responsibility or someone else’s. If your tree falls into your neighbor’s yard or your neighbor’s tree falls into your yard, who is responsible, you or your neighbor? If a tree on city property falls in your yard, is the city responsible, or are you? And what if you rent your home? Let’s take a look.

If you’re a homeowner?

Regardless of where it falls, the removal and cleanup will be your responsibility if the tree comes from your yard. If the tree is a shared tree, where the property line passes through the tree, it is the responsibility of both property owners. Additionally, if there was an existing problem with a tree that you had knowledge of and did not take steps to address, it will be your responsibility to remove it and pay for any damage that the tree may have caused. Additionally, the majority of the time, homeowner’s policies will not pay for removal or any damage in this situation. 

If you’re a renter?

Usually, it is not your responsibility to clean up or remove a tree that fell in your yard if you are renting your home. However, you should check to see if your rental agreement states that it would be your responsibility to remove any fallen trees. In either situation, you need to call your landlord as soon as possible if a tree from the property you are renting falls anywhere on the property or onto someone else’s property. The vast majority of the time, your renters’ insurance should cover any costs that are associated with damage from a fallen tree. The caveat to this is if you did something that caused the tree to fall, your renter’s insurance likely wouldn’t cover those costs, and your landlord will probably also require you to pay for the damages and/or removal of the tree.

If you’re a landlord?

As the property owner, your responsibilities are the same as a homeowner, provided the rental agreement does not stipulate that the renter would be responsible for any tree removal or clean-up. You should work with your renter, either way, to facilitate quick clean-up and removal if necessary. If it turns out your renter was responsible for the fallen tree, it is reasonable, and you are usually within your rights as a landlord to require the renter to pay for any damage that was caused, as well as removal. However, you generally need to be able to prove they were at fault.

If you’re a neighbor?

Unless it is considered a shared tree, such as a boundary or border tree, if your neighbor’s tree falls into your yard, it will generally be their responsibility to remove the tree. If you have concerns about any trees on your neighbor’s property, it is a good idea to discuss those concerns with them before anything happens. However, unless the tree is dangerous, they are not required to remove it if they do not want to remove it. If it is a shared tree, you can prune roots or branches that extend to your property, provided they create a nuisance or cause harm, or potential harm, to your property. However, neither you nor your neighbor can remove the tree without the other person’s consent, or even part of the tree, if it would damage the tree in general. Additionally, if you remove a tree or even trim a tree that is not on your property, you may be required to pay double or even triple the costs of replacing the tree.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Memphis?

The soil found in Memphis is composed of silt, clay, and some loamy soil. Most of the soil in the area is moderately well to well-drained. In some areas, the top levels of soil have been removed due to erosion, but the soil is very deep in many areas. In general, the soil has good permeability, is acidic in nature, and provides needed nutrients, and retains water well without oversaturation. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Memphis?

Yes, Memphis sees 54 inches of rainfall annually, with some form of precipitation generally occurring every month. The summers are hot and muggy, and the winters are very cold but short. Memphis also sees many tornados, though they are not as common in the downtown Memphis area as they are in more rural areas of Memphis. The combination of heavy rain, wind, and thunderstorms is all detrimental to healthy tree growth and sustainability.

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Memphis?

Trees that fall either on or near power lines are potentially very dangerous, whether the tree is dead or not, and you should never attempt to remove them without assistance. Due to the high number of storms and tornados, Memphis sees downed trees or branches on power lines can be very common. In Tennessee, utility companies are not allowed to perform tree trimming or removal of trees on private property without the owner’s consent unless the trees prevent the use of the power lines or are a danger to the power lines or other critical infrastructure. Memphis light, gas, and water do scheduled trimming of trees that interfere with power lines that run from pole to pole, but not for service lines running to your home. They will not remove a tree without your written consent, and they also have a program, Trade-A-Tree, to replace any removed trees for free. They provide a choice of six low-height varieties, including the Bradford Pear or Crepe Myrtle, or shrubberies, such as a Foster Holly, Photinia, Weeping Privet, or Japanese Maple.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Memphis?

Every tree removal is different, and so there are not really any set prices. In Memphis, on average, it can cost between $210 and $1,994 to remove a tree, with an average total of around $700. Depending on the reason for removal, your homeowner’s insurance may cover some or all of the cost, minus a deductible. Larger trees generally require a permit for removal, as well as a notice of intent and a tree survey, which can increase your costs. Our arborists and tree trimmers will either supply you with or help you apply for any needed permits.

Tree Size

The size of the tree is one of the largest influences on how much removing it will cost. Larger trees, both in height and width, are more expensive to remove because more time and resources are required from our crews. For taller trees, the safest method is the top-down method, which is also the most commonly used method involving cutting sections of the tree starting at the top and working your way down. However, one person cannot safely do this process, and it requires more time and resources, both of which will increase the cost.

Location

In a more rural area, removing a tree is much easier than in an urban area. Memphis has both urban and rural areas, and planning is often required before removal. Whether you live in a more densely populated area of Memphis or a more rural area, the planning and resources needed influence your cost. 

Condition

In general, trees that have already fallen are less expensive to remove. However, this only accounts for costs to remove the tree, not any damage the tree caused on its way down. Trees diseased or partially decayed can often be more expensive because more planning is necessary prior to removal. Being able to control a tree as much as possible is one of the most important factors in safely removing it. In addition, trees that are decaying could fall unexpectedly and cause more damage, making the removal of these trees much more difficult.