AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Missouri City, TX

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Missouri?

Most tree problems in Missouri often result from multiple factors that encourage disease outbreaks and insect infestations. Once excessive droughts and severe storms weaken the tree’s defenses, secondary invaders cause damage to trees in the area. Fall webworms are some of the common defoliating caterpillars that wreak havoc on trees in Missouri. These caterpillars form tents around branch tips, which eventually spread out to multiple branches on a single tree. Pecans, hickory, persimmon, and walnuts are the most susceptible trees to these insects infestation. 

Japanese beetles, which feed on the upper leaf surfaces, also damage most trees in Missouri. These beetles feed on diverse tree species, including bald cypress, sycamore, basswood, plums, and cherries. Affected trees often experience massive defoliation. The beetles also adapt well to winter seasons and usually add stress to plants during this season. While this damage causes stress to trees, healthy trees often tolerate heavy feeding damage. 

Homeowners also grapple with Armillaria root rot, a common root disease of trees. The Armillaria fungus often targets weakened or stressed trees. These infections usually result in hazardous trees that can prevent you from establishing new trees. At the onset of disease, trees experience stunted leaves and reduced tree vigor. Over time, you’ll notice branch dieback and a weakened tree structure resulting from root and heart rot. 

Oak wilt also invades Missouri trees and causes different oaks to die. Sap-feeding beetles carry the fungus responsible for fresh wounds in a tree. Affected trees usually experience browning and leaf wilting. Rapid defoliation occurs within two to six weeks in red oaks. While white oaks can survive the disease for many years, red oaks usually die within a year of infection. Our experienced tree arborists at Tree Triage can help you accurately diagnose this condition and help you take steps towards protecting other trees. 

Besides these pests and diseases, trees in Missouri are also susceptible to fires and molds. Other less common insects and diseases could also affect your trees. Contact us at Tree Triage whenever you notice any anomalies on your trees. Our team will help you diagnose the issue and provide viable remedies.

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

The city of Missouri adopted Tree Ordinances to address the dangers that low, overhanging tree branches cause for the city’s drivers and residents. These ordinances require property owners to perform proactive tree trimming to improve traffic safety while minimizing damage to vehicles.

You might require a permit to remove certain trees depending on their size and location. Typically, property owners do not need a license to remove a dead or hazardous tree. The city usually takes responsibility for trees growing on public land. If a private entity like Tree Triage considers removing such trees, we’ll need a tree removal permit. However, you might not require a permit for invasive, dangerous, or dead tree species.  

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Missouri?

Property owners and homeowners generally take responsibility for removing trees that fall on private property in Missouri. They will also need to pay for any damages that arise from such fallen trees. However, tree removal issues can cause discord among residents of Missouri. Identifying the owner of the fallen tree helps to resolve such issues. Here is more information regarding tree removal concerning homeowners, renters, landlords, and neighbors.

If you’re a homeowner?

Typically, the law requires homeowners to cover the tree removal costs for any tree that falls on their property. If the tree damages your home or insured property, your homeowners’ insurance offers coverage for tree removal. You could check with your insurance provider to confirm if they have any limits on the amount of coverage for the tree removal project. If a tree on your property falls on your neighbor’s home due to natural causes, you won’t pay for any damages that the tree causes. 

If you’re a renter?

Rules and regulations regarding tree care on rental properties are usually straightfoward. Tenants in Missouri hardly take responsibility for tree trimming and removal on rental property. The law may not require renters to pay the tree removal costs as they do not own the property in question. However, if the landlord can prove that the tree fall resulted from your actions, they could ask you to pay for the removal costs along with the resulting damages.  

If you’re a landlord?

Most lease agreements don’t outline who should handle tree removal and maintenance on a rental property. Landlords usually take up this responsibility, given that the rental property is their responsibility. You could contact your insurance company to determine if your policy covers the damage caused. However, these guidelines may change if your tenant was responsible for the fallen tree. You may need guidance from your insurance provider or attorney to determine who foots the tree removal costs in such instances.

If you’re a neighbor?

In most instances, your homeowners’ insurance will cover the costs for debris removal and damages arising from falling branches. If your neighbor’s tree falls on your property, the law requires you to pay for resulting damages. However, if you can prove that the tree fall resulted from your neighbor’s negligence, your neighbor may pay for the tree removal costs. Such situations usually arise when your neighbor failed to cut down a diseased tree or trim overhanging branches. You may need to indicate that you had warned them about the dangerous tree. 

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Missouri?

Missouri typically comprises rich, well-drained soils that support the growth of native trees like the eastern wahoo. Sandy loam soils and silt loam soils also line up different parts of the city. The city’s soil and conservation department has classified most of the region’s soil based on towns and landmarks in the city. Planting native trees in these conditions helps you make the most of the city’s soils. 

Before settling for tree species to plant, you may want to perform soil analysis to determine if your trees will thrive on your farm. If your soil has shallow, impervious layers or poor drainage, you’ll need to select trees and shrubs more carefully. Most tree species may experience poor growth in areas where soil drainage is poor. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Missouri?

Severe storms in Missouri usually cause lots of problems for trees in the area. The city is also prone to ice storms that result in massive splitting and breakage among trees. Many trees have broken trunks and branches after the storms. Other trees may experience dieback, weak bud growth, or back splitting. Such trees are usually susceptible to attacks from insects like stem borers and opportunistic disease organisms like Phytophthora fungi.

During the cold winters, only temperate-zone woody plants can pull through these seasons without experiencing much harm. Dropping temperatures can injure your trees and leave tissues appearing water-soaked and flaccid. Affected trees may experience minimal growth during the short warm periods in midwinter. 

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Missouri?

Removing dead or fallen trees near power lines poses a danger to residents of Missouri. These precision tasks typically require special equipment and proper training to complete safely. If you notice a dead or fallen tree near power lines in Missouri, you should report the issue to your utility company. The National Electric Safety Code requires local utility companies to remove or trim trees that can interfere with power service. Your utility company is responsible for cutting and removing trees that grow next to high-voltage power lines. 

Electric utilities in Missouri inspect trees near power lines routinely and schedule maintenance to minimize threats and risks to residents. Utility companies determine the appropriate clearance for trees near power lines depending on the type of tree or voltage on a power line. However, you’ll need to trim and prune trees that are near lines that connect to your electric meter. 

Remember to ask your electric utility to disconnect power temporarily while you clear the overlying branches. Working with our experienced professionals with line clearance can help you guarantee safety as we trim trees near service lines.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Missouri?

In Missouri, tree removal costs vary depending on a tree’s location, size, and ease of access. The average tree removal costs usually range between $400 and $1,900, with most property owners paying $750 for their tree removal projects. Here are some factors to consider before you start your tree removal project.  

Tree Size or Height 

Our professional arborists will charge you differently for different tree height ranges. We usually use three height categories, small (less than 30 ft.), medium (30 to 60 ft.), and tall (more than 60ft.), to determine the tree removal costs. More towering trees often require more time and equipment, which explains our higher removal costs. Cutting down taller trees also includes potential danger to surrounding property. The trunk’s diameter also influences the overall tree removal costs. 

Tree Condition

Before removing trees in precarious conditions, our tree experts might need to put in place additional supports. You may need our arborists to inspect such trees to determine the extent of danger it poses. Cavities/decay can compromise the tree’s integrity and eventually impair its tree removal process. Weak branches are prone to breaking and cracking, creating a hazardous condition that might require extra caution. Such tree removal tasks usually cost more than a less dangerous job.

Accessibility

Typically, removing inaccessible trees costs slightly more than removing easily accessible ones. Trees near buildings or power lines often require more preparation, and their removal will cost you more. It’s easier for our team to handle trees growing on open yards or front areas. We may also charge property owners extra for trees in remote areas that make using our equipment challenging.

Besides these factors, additional services like stump removal and log splitting increase the tree removal costs.