Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Magnolia?
- 2 Does the City of Magnolia Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Magnolia?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Magnolia?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Magnolia?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Magnolia?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Magnolia?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Magnolia?
The city of Magnolia was named after the abundance of Magnolia trees (Magnolia grandiflora) that grew in the area. Today, magnolia is still the most popular tree in town. Others are oaks, elms, ashes, sycamores, and many more.
Each one of these tree species is susceptible to a variety of problems that make pruning, trimming, and removal must-dos.
Tree Diseases
No place on earth is immune to tree diseases and Magnolia isn’t an exception. The most common disease our trees face include:
- Oak wilt disease — this unpleasant condition is caused by a fungus (Ceratocysris fagacearum). It blocks the water-conducting vessels of a tree, causing it to wilt and die quickly.
- Chlorosis — a lack of iron in the soil causes leaves to turn yellow. If not treated, this condition could cause a tree to die.
- Gall — this condition occurs when bacteria or insects damage the tree. Abnormal growths appear on the trunk and branches. These growths don’t damage the tree but ruin its aesthetic appeal.
- Root rot — this problem occurs due to a fungus that causes damage to roots and trunk. It can kill a tree within weeks.
- Bacterial leaf scorch — this chronic tree disease is caused by Xylella fastidiosa bacterium. Just like oak wilt disease, it restricts the water from reaching the tree’s systems, slowing killing them.
While you can treat some of these diseases, others can’t be managed. If a disease is damaging your tree continuously, removing it could be the only solution. A tree that suffers from a serious disease can become a danger to your home and neighboring properties.
Pests
Pests are a big problem for trees in Magnolia and the rest of Montgomery County. The most common pest-related tree problems include:
- Scale — these insects infect the limbs and twigs of the tree because they love drinking sap. They produce sticky and sugary honeydew that attracts black fungus called sooty mold. Severe scale infestation weakens the tree and causes it to die.
- Southern Pine Beetles — these beetles affect pine trees causing them to die. Back in 2000, they caused $1.5 billion of economic damage. To reproduce in a tree, Southern Pine beetles have to kill it.
- Spider mites — these little culprits feed on the tree leaves and rob cells of nutrients. After being attacked by spider mites, tree leaves appear speckled. After some time, they drop off. If not treated, an infested tree can die.
- Citrus greening — this dangerous disease is caused by an insect (Asian citrus psyllid). Infected trees stop producing edible fruit and die in a few years after the initial infestation.
- Walnut caterpillars — this pest feeds on the foliage of pecan, hickory, and walnut trees. They can defoliate the entire tree in just three days, causing significant damage. While it won’t kill the tree, the pest can destroy the harvest.
Battling common pests in Magnolia is a task many property owners dread. However, no matter how hard they try, some pests still manage to inflict irreversible damage.
Other Issues
Other tree-related issues property owners face include:
- Allergies — common pollen trees in Magnolia are ashes, elms, oaks, cedars, and hackberries. The allergy season continues for the majority of the year from January to September.
- Lightning — Magnolia is only a couple of miles away from Houston, which is the lightning capital of Texas. Many trees fall victim to lightning strikes.
The majority of tree issues in Magnolia warrant the attention of our tree removal professionals. Don’t hesitate to contact us before a tree issue turns dangerous.
Does the City of Magnolia Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
If the tree is growing on your property, you are fully responsible for removing it. The city can get involved in case a nuisance tree harms other trees or properties in Magnolia. If such danger is determined, the city can remove a tree even if it’s growing on private property.
The majority of homeowner insurance policy covers the costs of tree removal in case it damages your property. However, if your tree falls on the neighbor’s property, their insurance needs to cover the damages.
You don’t need a permit to deal with a tree on your property. However, a permit is required for tree removal if it’s part of the clearing, grading, excavation, or construction of any site improvements. In case you plan to remove a protected tree, you need a permit as well.
The city can charge you a tree mitigation fee for tree removal on your property. You don’t need to pay the fee if:
- The tree is on a property that has a dwelling family or two; and
- The tree is less than 10 inches in diameter and 4.5 feet above the ground.
If you notice that a tree growing on a public property looks hazardous, you need to notify the city of Magnolia at (281) 356-2266.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Magnolia?
Responsibility for tree removal can be tricky. What if the tree has fallen over from the neighboring property? Who is responsible? To prevent disputes, it’s imperative to understand the clear laws related to tree removal responsibilities.
If you’re a homeowner?
If you are a homeowner, you are fully responsible for removing trees from your property if:
- The tree is growing on your property.
- A healthy tree falls from a neighboring property.
- A diseased tree from your property falls on the neighboring property.
A healthy tree means that the tree wasn’t decayed, diseased, or dead at the moment of the fall. In case it was diseased or damaged, paying for the removal is your neighbor’s responsibility.
If a healthy tree falls on a neighboring property, it’s an “Act of God.” It’s usually related to natural disasters like lightning, earthquake, storm, flood, etc.
If you’re a renter?
Unless otherwise specified in your rental contract, you aren’t responsible for tree removal on your landlord’s property. However, it’s your responsibility to contact the landlord if you notice any issues with the tree on the property. Timely notification can help prevent a disaster.
If you’re a landlord?
If you are a landlord, you are fully responsible for tree removal if:
- The tree is growing on your property.
- A healthy tree falls from a neighboring property.
- A diseased tree from your property falls on the neighboring property.
If you’d like the tenant to deal with tree removal, you need to add a specific clause to the contract. You should also make sure that the tenant understands the utter importance of notifying you as soon as any tree problem occurs.
If you’re a neighbor?
If you are a neighbor, you are responsible for tree removal costs if:
- The tree is growing on your property.
- A healthy tree falls from a neighboring property.
- A diseased tree from your property falls on the neighboring property.
It’s up to any property owner to take good care of all trees, roots, and branches to avoid tree removal costs.
In case a tree falls on the borderline between the properties, property owners need to split the tree removal costs.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Magnolia?
Montgomery County has different types of soil that vary from sandy to clay. While clay soil can be somewhat tough to use for gardening purposes, the majority of Montgomery soil is excellent for tree growth.
The soggy wet soil that covers the majority of Magnolia can be great for such trees as live oaks, Nuttall Oak, Redbud, and the native Magnolia Grandiflora.
It’s funny, but the Texas state tree Pecan doesn’t do very well in Magnolia. It simply doesn’t appreciate the black clay soil it has to deal with.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Magnolia?
Yes, the weather affects tree health in Magnolia tremendously. The key culprits are lightning, floods, and storms. Meanwhile, pollution, soil compaction, and high temperatures make it difficult for weaker tree species to survive.
While freezing temperatures aren’t common in Magnolia, cold winters happen. When temperature drops and serious fluctuations occur, many trees experience severe damage. Some of them can recover after a while; others need to be removed.
If you aren’t sure whether a tree needs to be removed or not, we can help. Our experts assess the damage and give you a list of options.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Magnolia?
If a dead tree on your property is near the power lines, it’s your responsibility to remove it before it causes any damage. The electric company will inspect the power lines regularly to see if hazardous trees are located nearby.
If the dead tree is on public property, the city of Magnolia will take care of the problem. If the tree is on private property, you’ll be notified about the need to remove it. To avoid such notifications, you should inspect your trees and take preventive measures.
If you need to remove a tree, which is near a power line, it’s imperative to call the electric company, so it turns the power off. Any DIY removal of trees that are near power lines is dangerous.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Magnolia?
The typical cost of tree removal in Magnolia is between $200 and $750, but large or complicated trees could reach up to around $2,000. The final cost of your tree removal project depends on a variety of factors.
Stump
If you need to remove the stump along with the tree, it will add $100 — $150 to the final bill.
Size
The larger the tree, the more expensive it is to remove it. Tell us the approximate height and diameter of your tree so we can give you an accurate quote.
Location
If our tree removal team needs to deal with obstacles, the cost of removal will be higher. Some of these are power lines, significant slopes, or closely located fences.
