AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN The Woodlands, TX

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in the Woodlands?

Drought

Prolonged drought conditions throughout Texas have a devastating effect on trees. Encouraging the growth and health of seedlings is challenging. Healthy trees experience significant stress as well, making them vulnerable to insects and disease. While some trees show the effects of drought with yellowing leaves and dying branches, many signs of drought stress aren’t visible. This can include the dying away of roots, internal damage to the circulatory system, and disease.

Invasive Tree and Plant Species

Non-native trees and plants can damage the local environment significantly. While these species grow and often thrive in The Woodlands, they compete with native vegetation for space, sunlight, and nutrients. They can even change the chemistry of the soil. In response to the damage caused by invasive species of trees and plants in the area, The Woodlands Township Invasive Task Force was formed to remove invasive species of trees, bushes, and plants.

Disease

Diseases that impact trees can have a major effect on the entire species in a single area. Often, when a tree species is susceptible to disease, the infection can be spread quickly to neighboring trees through the soil or insects that move from tree to tree. Disease can cause stress to trees, trunk damage, leaf damage, root damage, and premature tree death. The most common tree diseases in The Woodlands include:

• Oak Wilt: One of the most common tree diseases, Oak Wilt, can affect all types of oak trees. The disease is spread through root grafts and nitidulid beetles. Oak wilt can cause leaves browning, dropping leaves, and tree death.

• Fire Blight: A bacteria affecting fruit trees, fire blight causes blooms and foliage to rapidly blacken. Twigs and branches develop cankers which allow the disease to survive through the winter.

• Hypoxylon Canker: Common during drought, hypoxylon canker affects a variety of tree species, causing crown thinning and branch dieback. It can kill trees rapidly and cannot be cured.

• Bacterial Leaf Scorch: Spread by leafhoppers, BLS is a bacteria that restricts water flow between the tree’s roots and leaves. It affects a variety of tree species. While rarely fatal on its own, BLS can make a tree more susceptible to pests and other dangers.

Construction

For decades, trees have been cleared to pave the way for human development. Even as we realize the importance of trees in the environment, many people fail to protect trees from the damaging effects of nearby construction. Trees in development zones are often damaged due to the effects of soil compaction from large equipment, paving too close to the roots of trees, and the effects of increased vehicle traffic in the area surrounding the tree.

Insects

All trees are susceptible to the effects of insects that feed on leaves or fruit and create homes beneath tree bark. While these insects don’t always cause severe damage and tree death, trees already weakened by stress due to limited growing space due to construction or drought, are more vulnerable to damage. Many types of insects target a variety of tree species in The Woodlands. Some of the most common tree insects include:

• Asian long-horned beetles
• Bagworms
• Beetles
• Canker worms
• Elm leaf beetles
• Lace bugs
• Oak caterpillars
• Scale insects
• Webworms
• Whiteflies
• Wood boring insects

Tornadoes and Severe Storms

Texas is no stranger to severe thunderstorms, high winds, and tornadoes. These storms are particularly damaging to trees in The Woodlands. Damage from high winds is one of the most common reasons homeowners in the area call us to remove trees. Storms topple trees, uproot trees, break branches, and can include lightning strikes that damage trees irreparably. 

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

The city doesn’t provide assistance in tree removal for trees on private property. Residential and commercial property owners are responsible for removing dead trees and can do so without preapproval from The Woodlands Township. However, The Woodlands Township is responsible for the removal of public trees in city parks and open reserves. Trees that are hazardous to road travel or have fallen across public roads are the responsibility of Montgomery County Precinct 3.

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in The Woodlands?

It is considered the responsibility of property owners to remove trees on private property in The Woodlands. Residents and business owners are expected to remove hazards related to dead or dying trees and responsibly remove the resulting debris. Additionally, a permit is required to remove any tree over six inches in diameter.

Removal of public trees falls under the responsibility of The Woodlands Township or Precinct 3 of Montgomery County.

If you’re a homeowner?

As a homeowner in The Woodlands, you’re responsible for the removal of hazardous trees, fallen trees, and the removal of resulting debris.

If you’re a renter?

Typically, a renter has no responsibility for the removal of hazardous or fallen trees. However, if your lease includes a clause that requires you to remove fallen trees or debris from the property, it is your responsibility.

If you’re a landlord?

As a landlord, you’re also the property owner and are fully responsible. However, if you simply manage a rental property owned by someone else, your contract should outline your responsibility regarding maintenance and tree removal.

If you’re a neighbor?

If your neighbor has a tree on their property that is affecting your yard, you don’t have the right to go onto their property and remove the tree. While you may call us to trim limbs up to the property line and remove debris from your own property, we can’t take care of any maintenance that could cause irreparable damage to the tree.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in The Woodlands?

Typically, the soil in The Woodlands is suitable for a variety of native tree species as long as it remains in its natural state. Unfortunately, poor landscaping practices and construction projects can damage soil and cause tree damage. Avoiding landscaping practices that use blowers to eliminate healthy leaf matter and the creation of protective tree barriers during construction projects can help keep the soil intact and eliminate dangers for trees.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in The Woodlands?

There are a variety of severe weather types that affect tree health in The Woodlands. While extreme temperature changes related to climate change have immediate effects on trees, there are two major ongoing weather threats to trees in The Woodlands:

• Drought: Long-term drought weakens and starves trees, making them susceptible to insects, disease, and early tree death. Unfortunately, many trees don’t show symptoms of drought damage until it’s too late to save them.

• Severe Storms: Thunderstorms and tornadoes frequently hit Texas in the spring, summer, and fall. These storms bring high winds that cause tree limb breakage, toppled trees, and damaged limbs and trunk damage so severe that trees must be removed. 

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in The Woodlands?

There are two different power companies that provide electricity to residents in The Woodlands. Both of these companies are committed to removing the dangers of tree limbs and dead trees that could impact power lines or become a hazard to residents. Power companies serving The Woodlands provide the following instructions for trees impacting power lines.

• CenterPoint Energy: If you have questions or believe your tree is within 10 feet of power lines, call CenterPoint Energy

• Entergy: If you see a tree or branch that looks dangerously close to the power lines (pole-to-pole), you can call 1-800-ENTERGY and report it. A representative of Entergy will assess the situation and advise what needs to be done.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in The Woodlands?

The cost of tree removal in The Woodlands can vary widely depending on a variety of factors surrounding each unique project. The average cost of tree removal ranges from $218 to over $1,300, depending on the size and location of the tree. The average cost of removal by size averages:

• Small (up to 25 ft): $213
• Medium (up to 50 ft): $545
• Large (up to 75 ft): $919
• Extra Large (over 75 feet): $1,200 and up

It’s important to remember that these averages don’t take into consideration complications that could increase the costs. 

Tree Location

An easily accessible tree allows our workers to use large equipment as needed and simplifies the cleanup process. Trees that are located near homes, structures, swimming pools, power lines, or underground utility lines create more of a challenge. Even trees that are located in the backyard make access with machinery more difficult than those near the street. The location of your tree that needs to be removed can significantly impact the amount of time our teams spend on a job.

Cleanup

Proper cleanup of a residential tree can be complicated. Tree removal near swimming pools, yard corners, or in difficult-to-access spaces can lead to a difficult debris removal process. The Woodlands Township requires proper removal of dead trees, debris, and underbrush. This means debris cannot be dumped into forest reserves and instead must be disposed of accordingly, either by hauling or curbside, depending on the amount of debris. Our teams always assist with proper debris removal from difficult areas as well as limiting damage to surrounding structures, but this will typically increase the price a bit.

Emergency Services

High winds from severe thunderstorms or tornadoes are one of the most common causes of tree damage in The Woodlands. This can cause dangerous conditions for tree removal as well as extended hours for our tree technicians. We understand the need for emergency tree services to keep your home or business safe, and strive to keep the property of our customers safe at all times.  Unfortunately, many residents and businesses require emergency tree services after severe storms, requiring our specialists to work long hours in dangerous conditions.  While these professional services are available, rates may be higher.