Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Texarkana?
- 2 Does the City of Texarkana Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Texarkana?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Texarkana?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Texarkana?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Texarkana?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Texarkana?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Texarkana?
Some trees in Texarkana can grow to towering heights. You might have a blend of native and non-native trees growing in your yard and offering a place to cool off in the heat of a southeastern summer. The most common trees we see in the area include:
- Sugarberry
- Cedar Elm
- Post Oak
- Afghan Pine
- Bird of Paradise
- Chinese Pistache
- Pecan
- Texas Mountain Laurel
Most of the trees in Texarkana are mature growth, and it seems like they’ll live forever. This can make it all the more mystifying when one of them needs to be removed. Here are the most common reasons that our team needs to remove a tree in the area:
Drought Conditions
While Texas and the South are well-known for their high humidity throughout the year, the summer months in Texarkana see only around 15 days of rain each summer. This lack of rainfall can leave your yard parched for moisture.
Your tree needs water and nutrients to grow healthy and strong. The soil needs to be moist enough for the roots to absorb the nutrients. When drought conditions arrive in Texarkana, your trees are going to suffer.
If the dry spell continues long enough, the lack of water and nutrients can damage or even kill one of the trees in your Texarkana yard. A withering tree might be the first sign that your yard is suffering during a dry spell.
You might consider watering your trees and other greenery during a drought. However, at the peak of the summer heat, you may find that the Riverbend Water Resources District, which serves Texarkana, has some restrictions on water usage. It’s always best to check before starting a regiment to water your yard.
Storm Damage
In the spring and fall, this area of Texas can see some violent storms passing through. The saying that everything is bigger in Texas can be true of these storm fronts. Lightning, thunder, and whipping winds can damage the trees in your yard.
When lightning strikes a tree, it can split the tree down the middle or kill it instantly. However, not all lightning strikes are deadly. Some can cause damage while appearing to leave behind an undamaged tree only to have it wither and die a few months later.
Another danger comes when the storm fronts roll in and bring the possibility of tornadoes. Texarkana has seen 129 tornadoes between 1950 and 2010, which is an average of more than two each year.
A tornado can roar through your yard with winds of up to 300 mph, depending on the category. The funnel can sweep up your car and deposit it miles away. It can also damage the trees in your yard or simply knock them over.
You might think your home and trees are safe if you aren’t in the direct path of a tornado, but the debris field for a twister extends a mile in either direction from the funnel and up to 50 miles behind it. That’s a lot of space for potential damage!
After a storm, our team can evaluate any trees that you think were damaged or killed and advise you on the best way to deal with them.
Does the City of Texarkana Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The street division of the Texarkana Public Works Department will remove any damaged or dying trees from public lands and along an area of easements. If the tree is in your yard, it’s considered to be on private property, and you, as the homeowner, are responsible for contacting us to make arrangements to have it removed and funding it.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Texarkana?
In Texarkana, the responsible party for removing the fallen tree is determined by where the tree grew. If the tree is on public land, the street division will take care of removing it. A fallen tree in your yard is almost always your responsibility to remove if you’re the homeowner.
If you’re a homeowner?
As the Texarkana homeowner, it’s almost always your responsibility to remove a fallen tree from the yard. There is an exception if the tree grew on an easement. This small parcel of land tends to be close to the street side of your yard, and it’s owned by the city or a local utility company. A fallen tree in this area is the responsibility of the easement holder.
If you’re a renter?
Sometimes, a Texarkana renter might take care of routine maintenance of the outdoor space, such as mowing the grass or pulling weeds. However, you aren’t responsible for removing a fallen tree. There is nothing routine about that. You should, however, advise the homeowner of any damaged or fallen trees when you notice them.
If you’re a landlord?
If you’re the landlord, you’re probably also the homeowner. This makes removing the fallen tree your responsibility. This is true even if the tenant takes care of the lawn and outdoor space. The scope of removing a tree is too big to be considered routine yard work.
If you’re a neighbor?
Sometimes, a tree that grew in your neighbor’s yard will fall and land in both yards. When this happens, it’s your neighbor’s responsibility to remove the tree that grew in their yard.
One thing to consider is the issue of liability if your home or yard were damaged when your neighbor’s tree fell on it. If your neighbor had a damaged or dead tree and did nothing about it, they might be considered negligent and therefore liable for the damages done by the tree.
Before taking any legal action, you might consider talking with your neighbor in order to keep up a neighborly friendship.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Texarkana?
The soil type that you’re most likely to find in your Texarkana yard is sandy loam. This type of soil is able to absorb water easily but doesn’t drain very well. The excess water in your soil might cause root rot, a fungal disease of trees, during a period of heavy rain.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Texarkana?
The weather in Texarkana can have a big effect on the health of your trees. The storms that roll through the area can create a tornado that brings winds strong enough to pull a tree out of the ground or lightning that splits a tree in half.
In the summer months, the dry spells can leave your trees struggling to get the nutrients they need to survive. Even though the summer months are dry, Texarkana sees an astounding 51 inches of rain each year, which is 13 inches more than the national average. When the rain hits, you may find your trees at risk for root rot.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Texarkana?
Dead trees and power lines are a recipe for danger. If you see a dead tree that’s fallen over on a power line, you need to immediately call your local emergency services. A dead tree near a power line needs to be removed by a professional utility company that can mitigate the danger.
Sometimes, a dead tree near a power line is actually on an easement owned by the power company. You can get the power company to remove the tree if that’s the case. Any trees on the property of your Texarkana home are considered your responsibility to remove. If you’re unsure about the issue of an easement, you can call the power company before making arrangements yourself.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Texarkana?
This is the question that we most often hear from Texarkana homeowners. They want to know the price before we even see the tree. The cost of tree removal in the area ranges between $205 and $2,090 with an average of around $600. The city doesn’t require a tree removal permit, but there are other factors that affect the final cost.
Condition of the Tree
Sometimes, a damaged tree will begin to sink in on itself. If a tree is decayed in places, it takes extra time and equipment to ensure that it doesn’t crumble to the ground as we’re removing it. Yes, the goal is to get the tree onto the ground, but we want to do it with precision to ensure there isn’t any damage to your home or other trees.
Size of the Tree
Larger trees require more time to safely cut down and remove. Our team climbs to the top of the tree and cuts it down in smaller sections to ensure it doesn’t damage your property during the removal process.
Wood Chips
Some Texarkana homeowners ask us to run the tree through a wood chipper after we’ve cut it down. These wood chips make a great source of mulch around your yard. This takes more time and additional equipment.
