Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Harker Heights?
- 2 Does the City of Harker Heights Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Harker Heights?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Harker Heights?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Harker Heights?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Harker Heights?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Harker Heights?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Harker Heights?
Since there is a lot of greenery and trees found throughout Harker Heights, it is important to know what the most common tree problems are in the area and when tree removal is necessary.
Fungus Invasion
One of the biggest concerns that trees in Harker Heights and other cities in central Texas have is severe fungus invasion that attempts to set into trees, destroying them from the outside in. Some of the most common fungi are:
- Hypha Fungi
- Mushrooms
- Mold
- Mistletoe
- Oak Wilt
The hypha fungi and mushrooms both deposit spores on trees when the conditions are wet and damp for long periods. The more spores they deposit, the faster it spreads and can take over a tree in just a short period. When it is absorbing nutrients out of the tree, these fungi will deteriorate the tree’s structure, compromising its integrity and could cause it to fall unexpectedly. A tree falling before it can be removed can cause sufficient damage to your property as well as any neighbors, depending on the tree location.
Insects and Unwanted Bugs
With Harker Heights being in central Texas, more insects are lurking in trees and looking to create damage than in other parts of the state.
- Termites
- Wood bores
- Carpenter Ants
- Emerald Ash Borer
Because the environment is opportune for large oak trees and others, pests like termites thrive in the area, look for trees with a dead branch or two, and proceed to take over the tree. This can not only lead to a potential falling tree, but it could also extend into your home and other structures on your property to cause further damage.
A true invader that is working their way down to central Texas from the North is the Emerald Ash Borer. It is a beetle that is emerald green in color and targets ash trees growing in the area.
Does the City of Harker Heights Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Depending on where the tree is located in the city of Harker Heights, you may get some assistance with the tree removal. If the tree is shared between private property and city-owned property, they may be willing to cover removal costs if necessary. Any tree that poses a threat to the area and could be dangerous will be removed if it is on the city’s property.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Harker Heights?
When a tree needs to be removed from your property, it is important to understand where that responsibility lies before planning to have the tree removed.
If you’re a homeowner?
As a homeowner, you can live in your primary home and be a resident of that property. If the tree or trees in question is completely on your property, then you are responsible for having it removed if it is a safety concern or has the potential to cause damage. For any home you are the property owner of, you will be responsible for removing the tree unless the damage is caused by a neighbor or the city requiring the necessary service.
If you’re a renter?
If you are not the homeowner of a property you are currently renting, you are often not responsible for the tree removal. Renters often reach out to their landlords when a tree needs to be removed so that it can be taken care of on time. There are instances where rental agreements indicate that a renter could be responsible for this service if they are accountable for the damage.
If you’re a landlord?
As the landlord of a property, you may be responsible for having a tree removed from a rental property. If you are just managing the property for the actual homeowner, any maintenance funds set aside in your contract should cover the necessary tree removal. If you are both property owner and landlord, you are ultimately responsible for removing the tree service.
If you’re a neighbor?
As a neighbor, you may see responsibility in tree removal if you have part ownership of the tree. This means that a significant portion of the tree is on your property, right on the property line. This removal service can be shared with you and the other neighbor if the tree poses a safety concern to one or both properties. Also, if you are responsible for the damage to the neighboring tree and it requires removal, you could be found responsible in that scenario.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Harker Heights?
In the state of Texas, the soil is different depending on the climate of that area. With Harker Heights being in Central Texas, the city is just outside the Houston black soil found from North Texas and moves more central to the state. This soil is really sticky but also dark. It has the texture of clay and can be molded and appears on landscapes sloping in the area. It is full of nutrients and great for trees of all kinds to grow in throughout Harker Heights.
For the properties that do not have this soil but have a more clay-based soil, they may bring in this Houston black soil to their homes to assist with the health and growth of the trees. The regular clay soil found in central Texas can hold nutrients, which is good for plant and tree growth in the area.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Harker Heights?
The climate in Harker Heights is pretty average, with cool winters but mild to warm summers. The city also gets a steady amount of precipitation throughout the year, making it a substantial environment for the trees in the area to continue to grow and thrive.
Being in central Texas, the winters in Harker Heights tend to stay wet and windy in the area. Unfortunately, the hot, humid summer and the wet winters allow a perfect environment for pests and fungi to take advantage of a weakening tree and cause unwanted damage. Too much rain mixed with the clay soil in this area has been known to uproot trees and cause them to fall if the water is sitting and not able to drain.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Harker Heights?
Any dead trees that are near power lines in Harker Heights can cause severe damage to these utility lines. They could do as little as taking out power until the lines can be repaired or push the lines down on other homes or properties where significant damage can be done. Dead trees around power lines are the utility company’s responsibility, so please report any trees you see right away.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Harker Heights?
When you consider having a tree removed from your property, the first thing you think about is the cost. In Harker Heights, the average cost of tree removal is around $600, but that number is also based on several variables and cost factors. Your total may fall between $200 and $2,100.
Size of Tree
When you have a tree removed, you need to get a quote based on the size of a tree first. The size is determined based upon how tall the tree is and also how wide. Since trees are removed in stages by our team, we need to know the size to properly determine what type of materials are needed and how long the job will take.
Materials
As previously mentioned, different materials are required for tree removals. Depending on whether we are removing a hardwood tree, softwood tree, or one that is excessively wide, we need to have the appropriate materials ready. The cost of these materials is calculated into the overall cost of the tree removal.
Labor
Smaller tree removals do not require as much labor and thus have a smaller cost. More labor is required for larger trees that require more members of our team and a few section removals. Since labor is a big part of the cost, this is an important factor to consider.
Time of Service
If you can have your tree removal scheduled during regular business hours, the standard rates will apply to your tree removal quote. At any time there is an urgent need and our team has to come out after hours or stop a job for an emergency, an urgency fee will be applied to the tree removal. In most cases, homeowners and landlords can see that a removal service is needed and schedule the service ahead of time before an emergency is needed. Emergency services often come after severe rainstorms or thunderstorms in the area that have caused tree damage.
Permits
Before you have a tree removed, you may need to check with the Public Works department in Harker Heights to see if a permit is required for service. Depending on the job size and tree location, the city may need to verify and approve the service before the tree can be removed.
