AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Southlake, TX

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Southlake?

The funny thing about South Lake is that most of the trees found there are not native to the area. They were brought in by new homeowners and then gradually became part of the city over time. It’s possible that even if you planted a native tree, it would die after a few years. This is mainly because residents are sold the wrong genus of trees, which simply doesn’t work well with the soil on the property.

However, some species like live oaks and burr oaks do pretty well. Other tree species that thrive in Southlake include the Cedar Elm, which can grow up to 75 feet, and the Chinese Pistache, a great shade tree that can withstand heat and drought. You can also find Crape Myrtle scattered all over the city and some few traces of Lacebark Elm. 

However, these trees require constant maintenance if they are to survive. Here are some common issues trees face in Southlake.

Dutch Elm Disease (DED)

This is one of the most destructive Urban Forest Diseases currently experienced by Elm tree species such as cedar elm, American elm, slippery elm, and winged elm. It’s an invasive species that was introduced to America from Europe in the 1930s. While initially a none issue in the area, reports have indicated infections in several North Texas cities such as North Richland Hills, Southlake, and Flower Mound in recent years.  

Fungicides treat Dutch elm disease. However, the disease will have already spread all over the tree by the time you spot the first signs. Symptoms of infection include yellowing leaves on the tips of branches which slowly turn to brown and eventually curl up. If you observe or suspect an infection, you are strongly encouraged to call us for professional tree removal service. 

Our technicians know how best to analyze the matter and remove the tree while limiting the spread of infection.

Mistletoe

Mistletoe is an evergreen parasitic plant that grows on over 450 tree species. They compete with the parent plant for water and minerals, which leads to stunted growth and the eventual death of the parent tree. Its seeds are passed from an infected tree to a new tree through birds like the Mistle Thrush.

Mistletoe is easy to spot, standing out with its green stems and thick leaves that are almost oval. Clumps of mistletoe can be observed on deciduous trees during winter when leaves are shed off the tree. Mechanical control of mistletoe is advised because any chemical treatment applied to the plant could directly affect the tree.

For a more effective treatment operation, remove the mistletoe before it reproduces seeds and infects other parts of the tree, and if the tree is severely infested, remove it and replace it with a less susceptible species.

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

The City of Southlake places a high priority on environmental stewardship and sustainability. As the city faces rapid development, identifying and protecting natural resources is critical to maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for residents and businesses. The city adopted its first tree preservation ordinance in 1993 and has been amended twice.

However, the officials are not involved in tree removal in Southlake, Texas, unless the tree has disrupted a public utility service due to a tornado, accident, storm, flood, or other act of nature. As a resident, you are required to have a permit before removing any tree in Southlake. The only exception to this rule is if the tree endangers public safety, welfare, or health in such a way that immediate action is required.

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Southlake?

City officials in Southlake offer to help residents remove fallen trees from their premises only during natural calamities like tornados, storms, or floods. City officials insist that all their efforts will be focused on restoring public utility lines such as roads and electricity since fallen trees make rescue efforts much harder.

But the question remains,  as a homeowner or a tenant, who is responsible for removing the fallen tree? Let’s look at who is responsible for tree removal in the different scenarios.    

If you’re a homeowner?

As a homeowner, it is your primary responsibility to remove any fallen tree from your property. However, you are required to fill out an application form for a tree permit from the office of the Landscape Administrator. The permit is required when handling any maintenance on the tree, like pruning or tree removal. However, according to the City of Southlake Tree Ordinances, a homeowner is exempted from a permit if: 

• If the tree endangers public safety, welfare, or health so that immediate action is required
• If the tree has disrupted public utilities mainly due to natural reasons, you could remove the tree without a permit
• If the tree is in an area marked for development that has been planned before the tree ordinance became effective
• If a tree is located on property designated as an agricultural zone actively used for agricultural purposes or as a homestead
• And as long as the tree is situated within a radius of 150 feet from any principal structure

If you’re a renter?

If you are a tenant and a fallen tree, we advise you to contact the landlord or the agency involved with such issues. While you could still remove the fallen tree by yourself if the landlord-tenant lease leaves vegetation maintenance to you, you will incur all the costs associated with tree removal, from permits to paying for a professional. 

In addition, if there was damage to the property, you will also be liable to settle all the damage claims if there is proof that the tree fell because of direct interaction with it.

If you’re a landlord?

Landlords are responsible for any tree maintenance and removal unless they exempt themselves from such duties in the landlord-tenant lease agreement. If you hold multiple rentals, you are responsible for tree removal across all your properties, but most landlords have insurance policies covering such scenarios.

Most policies should cover damages resulting from natural calamities, but if there is sufficient proof to show the tree fell because of neglect on your part, there is a chance that they will deny your claim. They also don’t offer their coverage for healthy tree removal in Southlake, Texas.

If you’re a neighbor?

The City of Southlake has several neighborhoods with a Homeowners Association responsible for making and enforcing communal rules like architectural control. In this situation, the HOA will be responsible for solving the dispute. Since homeowners pay a monthly subscription, the association will likely remove the fallen tree at no cost. These kinds of associations are vital for the speedy and effective removal of trees in the neighborhood they operate in.

If you are not in an HOA neighborhood, you will have to deal with your neighbor. If most of the trunk is located on your property, it is your responsibility to get rid of the tree and pay for the associated costs. However, if the trunk is on the neighbor’s property and while the tree was falling, it caused damage to your property, you could sue your neighbor for negligence.

You can also do this if there is sufficient evidence to prove that they were aware of the deteriorating condition of the tree and didn’t work on it on time.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Southlake?

There are three major types of soil common in Southlake City:

Burleson clay has a 0 to 1 slope with depth to water table reaching more than 80 inches and is moderately well-drained. Overall, this makes for a favorable environment for trees to prosper. In addition, it has an annual air temperature of 63 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit with a yearly precipitation of 32 to 45 inches making the soil conditions favorable for trees. 

Kaufman clay is another common soil type, with 0 to 1 percent slopes and frequent floods. It has mean annual precipitation of around 38 to 47 inches with a frost-free period of 218 to 254 days. However, this soil does not support most tree species due to a high runoff rate with an 80-inch depth reach to the water table.

The third soil type is Leson clay, located at an elevation of 350 to 750 feet above sea level. The soil is quite fertile, thereby supporting the growth of trees. It has moderate water storage while in profile and is moderately well-drained with no frequency of flooding. Leson clay has mean annual precipitation of 34 to 44 inches with a frost-free period of 230 to 260 days.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Southlake?

Located in Texas, summers in Southlake city are usually hot and muggy, with the winters being windy and cold. It’s partly cloudy all year round with temperature varying from 32°F to around 96°F and rarely below 24°F or above 102°F. 

Southlake, Texas, on average, gets approximately 39 inches of rain annually with one inch of snow per year, which is relatively low compared to the national average of 28 inches of snow annually.

Despite its extreme heat conditions, tree species like the Chinese Pistache thrive in the City of Southlake. Live Oaks also find the weather favorable, and the oldest known Live Oak in Texas is over 1200 years old, as a testament to how well these types of trees do in Southlake.

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Southlake?

Even if the City of Southlake does not require a permit to remove fallen trees posing a safety risk to residents and property, we highly recommend avoiding getting close to the tree for your safety and that of your family. Instead, contact the power line service provider or the city arborist, who will advise on the steps to follow.

They usually need to know the tree’s position in relation to the surrounding property and your contact information. Most wire companies like GP&L have tree planting booklets that offer guidelines on properly maintaining trees near powerlines.   

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Southlake?

Tree removal in Southlake is not that expensive, with an average cost of $557. The maximum price is expected to reach around $2,143 and a minimum fee of $172, depending on various factors. This cost usually covers average prices for equipment and materials required for tree removal and all other project costs such as surface preparation and clean-up fees.

Here are some factors that influence the cost of removing a tree in Southlake City, Texas.

Poor Access

If the job is located in a remote area where getting equipment will be tough, chances are high the service provider will charge you more. Our tree removers require easy access to proper roads for trucks and tractors and access to appropriate log removal equipment, making slicing the tree much more effortless. Narrow spaces between structures, fences, delicate landscaping, and low or otherwise soft ground usually limit access.

Operational Costs

Apart from poor access, costs that may not be apparent to the customer affect the price they get from our specialists. For example, a customer may complain if they are charged three times as much for a 30-inch diameter tree than the 20-inch tree they had removed the previous year.

The customer may not realize that the largest wood chipper for residential use can only make mulch out of 20 inches across or smaller trees. So, although hidden to the customer, we will be paying these additional costs when removing a tree that cannot be chipped on site: time and fuel to go to the dump, wear and tear on the transporting equipment, additional payroll, and dump fees.

Size of the Tree

The size of the tree is yet another crucial determinant for pricing. As you might expect, larger trees will cost more to remove. You see, mature trees tend to have a wider diameter and tougher bar. Therefore, they require more time and effort to cut through. It also means more fuel and strain on the machines. All this has to be accounted for in the pricing.