Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Garland?
- 2 Does the City of Garland Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Garland?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Garland?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Garland?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Garland?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Garland?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Garland?
Garland is a growing suburb of Dallas located in Dallas County. While Garland is population dense, there are plenty of parks full of the city’s brilliant wildflowers called “firewheels” and, of course, Texas’ state tree, the pecan tree. Winters tend to be mild in Northern Texas, with warm and dry weather most of the year. Below are some of the common problems afflicting trees in Garland.
Drought
Drought can be a common problem throughout Texas, so any trees that grow in Garland should adapt to the dry conditions. Garland can be in drought for weeks or months, and some trees will not survive extended dry conditions.
The drought and abundant sun can leave trees exposed to diseases like bacterial leaf scorch. A condition that causes the foliage of trees to have a burned appearance with brown leaves. When the leaves exhibit this coloration, the tree typically dies in 4 to 5 years. Oak trees are most susceptible to the disease, but we can prevent this if the trees are kept well hydrated and nourished. Pruning the affected branches and leaves can also be beneficial.
Pests
Sap-feeding insects can be a common tree problem in Garland. These sap-feeding insects include whiteflies, aphids, and mealybugs. While their feeding habits aren’t typically to blame for tree damage, the black soot mold that grows on their honeydew can harm trees.
The elm leaf beetle is also a common tree pest throughout most of Texas. They are known to inhabit shade and ornamental elm trees, causing the most damage in spring. The adult beetle is often yellow with a black stripe on the edges of its back and a black spot near its wings. While the adults typically eat entire leaves, the larva leaves behind the skeletal remains of the leaves.
In early spring, you may see holes in leaves from the adult elm leaf beetles before they lay eggs. When the eggs hatch, brown and skeletal leaves will begin to fall from the tree.
Fallen Trees
Fallen trees are typical after a rainstorm or high winds. In Texas, tornadoes can also cause trees to fall. Dallas County experiences hundreds of tornadoes each year, making tornadoes a significant threat to trees.
Tornadoes can damage living and dead trees and can also cause damage to property near the trees. Tornadoes can uproot trees or cause dead trees to fall. They can also cause branches to fall even if the tornado is weak. While healthy trees typically survive minor damage, severe damage to limbs, the crown or base of the tree can require tree removal.
Root Issues
The roots of the tree can be a common reason to call for tree removal in Garland. Tree roots are constantly searching the soil for water, and if your plumbing, sewage, or foundation is within reach, they can exploit cracks and weaknesses to find water inside. Root barriers are one way to prevent damage to your home’s foundation and pipes.
The dry conditions of Texas can also contribute to girdling roots. Girdling can be caused by incorrect planting practices, inadequate soil, and drought. The tree roots wrap around the tree’s base, cutting off the tree’s access to water. The result is a tree with declining health, brown leaves, and branch dieback.
Does the City of Garland Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
If a tree falls on your property, the city of Garland is unlikely to help, but if it falls into a street, right-of-way, or median, you can call Garland’s Street Department to remove the tree right away.
Garland Street Department responds to severe weather, removing fallen trees and branches and putting up barricades to ensure the safety of motorists. The team also provides routine shoulder maintenance, overgrown vegetation, tree branches, tipping trees, and dead trees. You can report any hazards or potential hazards you see in the city streets.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Garland?
When a tree falls or is tipping, determining who is responsible can be confusing. This short guide will help you decide who is responsible for removing a tree that has fallen.
If You’re a Homeowner?
As a homeowner, you are responsible for several types of tree removal in Garland. If a tree originates on your property and falls on your property or neighboring property, it is likely your responsibility to remove the tree and pay for any damage. Your homeowner’s insurance may be able to take care of the cost of the tree falls due to an unforeseen natural cause, such as a storm.
If the tree falls from your neighbor’s yard to your property, the neighbor will be responsible just as you would be. If someone damages or cuts down your tree, you may be able to hold them accountable for the tree and any damage based on Texas civil law.
If You’re a Renter?
If you rent a home in Texas, you are likely not responsible for tree removal. Texas requires landlords to make any repairs necessary to make rental properties safe. If a tree falls on the roof, in the driveway, or walkway, it can risk your safety.
It is a good idea to inform your landlord of tipping or dead trees to avoid damage to the property. A landlord may also hold you accountable if the tree falls due to your actions, such as any deliberate damage you caused to the tree.
If You’re a Landlord?
As a landlord, any trees that fall on your rental property will likely be your responsibility to remove. Landlords are required to keep residential properties safe and healthy. A fallen tree can be a hazard to tenants. If a tenant requests the removal of a tree for safety reasons, it is likely your responsibility to remove it in a reasonable amount of time.
If a tree falls onto your property from a neighboring property, the neighbor may be responsible for removing the tree and paying for any damages unless the tree falls due to a storm. Suppose you have reason to believe a tenant or another party deliberately caused the tree to fall. In that case, you may also be able to hold the responsible party accountable for any damage.
If You’re a Neighbor?
As a neighbor, your responsibility is similar to a homeowner. You are responsible for removing trees that fall from your property, whether they fall on your property or a neighbor’s property. The exception is when the tree falls due to a storm or similar unforeseeable event.
Boundary trees are a bit more confusing. Much like a fence, neighbors share a boundary tree, and it provides privacy to each home. Both neighbors care for the boundary tree, but when a boundary tree falls, the responsibility is entirely on the homeowner who owns the property where the tree fell.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Garland?
Garland soils are mainly composed of Houston Black-Heiden soil. It’s clayey soil found on upland areas. The soil changes near the Rowlett Creek and floodplains in the Trinity-Frio soil series are common. The soil in the area is deep soil with a clay consistency that is more level in most cases.
Texas farmers prize Houston black soil. It swells up when water enters the dry ground and is ideal for growing corn, cotton, and grain. It can also grow hackberry, mesquite, and elm trees. Trinity is a native soil of hardwood forests, growing elm, hackberry, ash, and oak. Both soils would be suitable for growing a variety of trees.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Garland?
The heat and dry spells Texas is known for can lead to tree removal in Garland. Trees from cool, moist climates can often fall to ailments and decline in times of drought.
Temperature increases of 20 degrees can cause a tree’s water loss to double. It is important to water trees during dry spells and continues until the drought ends.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Garland?
If you notice a dead tree near the power transmission lines, call the utility company for help. Removing the tree yourself can be hazardous. The utility company will also conduct routine maintenance of the foliage and vegetation near the power lines.
If you want to plant near the power lines, the utility company can provide a list of approved trees and grow to a height of fewer than 25 feet. You can also call us to prune and trim trees on your property as long as they are not within 6 feet of the power transmission lines.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Garland?
The cost of tree removal in Garland typically falls around $750, but the total can vary depending on several factors. We always try to provide affordable tree removal services in Garland, but certain aspects can make removing a tree more or less expensive.
Condition
The condition of a tree can be a deciding factor in the cost of tree removal. Standing trees almost always cost more to remove than fallen trees unless the tree fell in a location that is difficult to extract or caused property damage.
Diseases, pests, and fungus can also be a factor that increases the price of tree removal in Garland. We need to ensure that the ailment that caused the tree to die doesn’t spread to other trees in the area. One step to take may mean treating the trees in the area or taking special precautions to remove the roots and debris with contagions.
Size
The size of a tree directly influences the cost of tree removal. Large trees almost always take more time, resources, preparation, and cleanup to remove. Large trees can have large branches that require removal if they are likely to fall to prevent any damage. It can also take some time to remove large stumps and roots.
Cleaning up after large tree removals can also be time-consuming, and hauling away the components of the tree can take several vehicles. Small trees typically involve less costly cleanup and transportation.
Safety
Safety is our number one priority when removing trees in Garland. When a tree is near a power line or close to a home, we need to take precautions to ensure it doesn’t fall on the house or power line. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic can also make tree removal more complex. If a tree is near a school or playground, we need to keep children from wandering too close to the work zone. We must also keep debris from falling on vehicles and pedestrians near the tree removal site.