Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Friendswood?
- 2 Does the City of Friendswood Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Friendswood?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Friendswood?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Friendswood?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Friendswood?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Friendswood?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Friendswood?
Trees in Friendswood are subject to various issues, including invasive pests, termites, viruses, weather, and more. There are thousands of insects here, many of which will not harm the trees. However, some can wreak havoc, altering the aesthetic value of your trees. Pests such as beetles, for example, can find their way into the inner layers of trees, where they interrupt the natural nutrient system.
Wood-boring insects like termites are also common here, and they’re very destructive. They can dig deep into the tree trunks, causing numerous infestations and affecting the structural integrity of your trees. This may lead to trees falling, damages to property, and loss of life, if no permanent solution is provided.
Other pests destroy trees by devouring their leaves, consequently stopping photosynthesis, the process which allows trees to maintain their healthy, appealing state.
Aside from insects and pests, viruses and bacteria like verticillium wilt and fire blight are also a major cause of concern. Lacebark elm, water oak, loblolly, palm trees, ginkgo biloba tree, southern red oak, and crepe myrtles are some of the tree species that are commonly affected by diseases in Friendswood. Bacteria affect trees by affecting the flow of sap through the xylem.
Several other issues that affect our trees in the area include:
- Bad pruning
- Lawnmower and weed trimmer damage
- Construction of new properties
If you suspect your trees are unhealthy because of the issues mentioned above, make sure to notify us immediately. We will ensure you get the right support, within the shortest time possible.
Does the City of Friendswood Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Trees are a valuable part of Friendswood, and the government offers support in different ways including providing valuable information on how to plant a tree in your yard. All our public trees are protected by a code of ordinances, and it’s the municipality’s mandate to manage them.
The city assists in removing private trees, but you will have to pay a small fee. Before governor Abbott signed House Bill 7 (HB 7) to restrict the fee payable to the municipality, you had to part ways with a good amount of money. The municipality no longer has the freedom to charge exorbitant fees. Plus, you can now leverage tree planting credits to offset tree removal fees.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Friendswood?
Friendswood is prone to severe storms, so you must be prepared to deal with toppled trees from time to time. Since 1930, 55 hurricanes have been recorded. Hurricanes can strike any time.
Let’s take a look at how homeowners, renters, landlords, and neighbors are supposed to deal with fallen trees.
If you’re a homeowner?
As a homeowner, you’re generally expected to remove any fallen tree on your property. Also, you can file a claim with your homeowners insurance and find out whether they cover tree removals of fallen trees and under what circumstances.
When hit by a hurricane, in some cases, the government may give you a hand. To be certain if you qualify for assistance with tree removal, make sure to have details about the local tree ordinances in your township.
If you’re a renter?
A fallen tree is likely to give you sleepless nights as a renter. If you are unsure who is responsible, the Friendswood laws are clear. The owner of the property (in this case, the landowner) is fully responsible for removing fallen trees as they are on privately-owned land.
If you’re a landlord?
If you are a landlord in Friendswood, it is your responsibility to maintain any trees on your property including trimming and removing fallen trees. If you have more than one property, then you are responsible for them as well.
If you’re a neighbor?
The government is very clear on who is responsible when a tree falls on your neighbor’s property and when you may be required to pay for the damages. That means if your tree falls on your neighbor’s property, the liability may depend on the circumstance under which the tree fell.
For instance, when a tree or even part of it falls onto your neighbor’s property due to a force outside your control, such as an act of nature like a storm, the damages caused will not be your responsibility. Homeowners insurance may cover the cost of removal in this case.
However, you may be held liable and forced to pay for the damage caused if it is determined that you neglected to take care of trees that seemed unhealthy even before the storm happened.
The best way to deal with the headaches that arise as a result of fallen trees is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Regularly inspect your trees to ascertain they are not a threat, and always talk with our experts if you need support to maintain them. Our team is always ready to give you a hand with any tree maintenance services you will need.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Friendswood?
The soil in Friendswood consists of very deep, slightly excessively drained, rapidly permeable soils formed in sandy eolian deposits derived from sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. The soils are occasionally flooded with salt water during severe storms. During this time, salt burns are rampant, but these decrease as the storms disappear.
These soil conditions are suitable for the trees that thrive here, including water oak, loblolly, palm trees, ginkgo, southern red oak, and crepe myrtles, and are the reason why we have many tree species.
However, due to frequent hurricanes or storms, our trees are likely to fall. It is always advisable to have your soil analyzed before planting trees in your home. That way, you can be sure that your soil is capable of preventing tree uprooting and displacement during storms.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Friendswood?
Friendswood is wet and partly cloudy throughout the year. It experiences long, hot, and oppressive summers, while winters are generally cool, windy, and short. Considering trees generally mature fast when it’s warm, your trees are likely to mature early, but their growth may also be slow due to extreme temperatures.
Trees and other plants suffer quite a lot during stormy weather, affecting their health and uprooting some of them. So, yes, the Friendswood weather largely contributes to the health of trees.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Friendswood?
Dead trees near power lines can be a source of many inconveniences. From causing power interruptions to posing a danger to your life, such trees can give you some sleepless nights. Considering the procedure that must be followed to correct the situation, it is best to leave it to professionals like the electric company.
If a dead tree is near a power line in your area, the best approach is to inform your utility company as soon as possible. They will take it from there and rectify the situation safely and efficiently if it is on city property. However, if the dead tree is on your property and growing near your service line, it is your responsibility to hire our arborists to take care of it.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Friendswood?
The cost of removing a tree in Friendswood varies depending on where you are in the city, the type of tree, its size, and other additional services like stump removal. Always make sure to inquire if a permit is required before proceeding with the removal.
Generally, the cost of tree removal here ranges from $200 to $2,000. It can also cost upward of $3,000 to remove tall pine trees and massive oak trees.
Let’s take a look at some of the factors that impact the cost of tree removal in Friendswood:
Tree Size
The size of your tree determines how much you will pay to have it removed. The taller your tree is, the more you will be required to pay to have it removed. For example, you can pay up to $3,000 to have a large oak or tall pine tree removed. However, when our team comes out in person to take a look at the tree in question, we’ll be able to give you a more accurate quote.
Location on Your Property
The tree’s location is another thing that determines how much you will pay. If the tree is in a location that’s difficult for us to access, we will need to use more machines to prevent the tree from damaging the surrounding property. This can increase the cost of tree removal.
Stump Removal
If you are also looking to get some stumps removed, you will have to pay more to get the job done. It will cost you between $100 and $150 to have a tree stump removed. At Tree Triage, irrespective of the number of stumps you want to be removed, our team will assess your situation and present a reasonable offer.