Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Tyler?
- 2 Does The City of Tyler Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Tyler?
- 4 How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Tyler?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Tyler?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines In Tyler?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Tyler?
What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Tyler?
Unfortunately, one of the more common tree issues in Tyler has to do with Hypoxylon canker. For the last fifteen years, this disease has been spreading and killing trees in Tyler and across East Texas. Even though this fungus does not invade relatively healthy trees, it readily infects the sapwood of a tree that has been stressed, weakened, or damaged, especially by a drought.
There are other man-caused factors and natural elements that can also weaken a tree, including saturated soil, fill direct, defoliation by leaf fungi, soil compaction, removal of topsoil under the tree, disease, excavation in the root zone, nutrient deficiencies, overcrowding, and excess heat, which in Tyler is very common, especially in July where temperatures can go above 100 degrees.
Generally, the symptoms of Hypoxylon canker include:
- Brown and yellow leaves
- Reduced twig growth
- Small leaves
- A thinning canopy
- Dead branches or limbs
- White sapwood in the cankered area
- Water sprouts growing on trunks and large limbs
- White and stringy sapwood in the cankered area
Does The City of Tyler Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?
In Tyler, when it comes to tree removal, the city handles the residents’ requests to remove trees in the city’s right of way. Generally, a Tyler resident will request that a tree be removed, and the Streets Department will open a work order and complete a physical inspection of the tree to decide two things – if the tree is in the city’s right of way and if the tree is a danger to the public because of its condition.
If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then the city will schedule the tree to be removed. However, if the tree is not in the city’s right of way, but can still pose a potential danger to the public if it were to fall, then the issue will be turned over to Tyler’s Code Enforcement to pursue with the property owner.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Tyler?
Generally, property owners in Tyler are responsible for maintaining their vegetation on their property, including their private trees. However, determining if you are on the hook for the costs associated with removing a fallen or dead tree will depend on your living situation. For instance, consider the following:
If you’re a homeowner?
Under Texas property regulations, if a tree falls because of natural causes such as water, lightning, or a storm, the property owner of the place where the tree has fallen is responsible for removing the tree. But, it is essential to note that homeowners in Tyler must reasonably care for their trees and prevent them from damaging their neighbor’s property. Otherwise, the homeowner can be held responsible for any losses or damages the fallen tree results in.
Additionally, these homeowners must also take care of a tree that shows signs of instability or weakness within a reasonable period of time. These corrections can include trimming off dead branches or even removing the entire tree before it falls. If the homeowners do not take these actions to correct the issue, they can be on the hook for any damages caused by the unstable and weak tree.
If you’re a renter?
Typically, a tenant and a landlord will agree ahead of time on how to care for the rental property by discussing issues that can arise and spelling out their different responsibilities in a renters contract. However, if there are obligations that are not mentioned in the lease, then a landlord will often be responsible for making any necessary repairs to the rental property, while the tenant will be accountable for cleaning and maintaining their portion of the property.
Consequently, since the renter is responsible for maintenance, they will be in charge of handling jobs that need to be done on a regular basis, such as cleaning up the yard or mowing. As a result, if a tree falls onto the property, it is likely that this situation goes beyond the scope of maintenance and will be the landlord’s responsibility.
If you’re a landlord?
As discussed above, the landlord will be responsible for the costs associated with the fallen tree because they own the tree. Since the tree is on their property, the tree is considered theirs, and subsequently, the landlord will have to take care of the costs of removing a tree that falls or any issues that it causes.
If you’re a neighbor?
In some instances, even if you own a tree, it does not always mean you are responsible for the damages it causes. In Tyler, if your tree or any part of it falls onto your neighbor’s property and causes damage to their property through no fault of your own, but rather because of strong winds, a hurricane, or another “act of God,” then you will not be responsible for the tree removal or the damages your neighbor sustained. Your neighbors will have to file a claim with their own property insurance to get reimbursed for the losses.
On the other hand, if the tree fell due to your negligence, you may be liable for it and the damages that it caused. For example, if the tree has been sick for a while, and your neighbors have complained about it to you, but you neglected to take care of it, you may be held accountable for the costs associated with it if it falls.
How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Tyler?
Tyler, located in Smith County, has an abundance of pine timber and hardwood and a valuable deposit of iron ore, clay, and salt. In addition, the area possesses a great variety of fertile soil, including a large acreage of alluvial land along the river bottoms.
The general surface of the county presents a succession of hills of gentle declivities, which often slop into valleys and are watered by numerous streams at regular intervals. The soils in this area are usually divided into three classes: the alluvial of the bottoms, the gray and sandy on a red clay foundation, and the red lands:
- The bottomlands are considered to be well-adapted for cotton, sugar cane, and corn.
- The gray is mainly prepared to handle cotton, strawberries, peaches, and sweet potatoes.
- The red lands are suited for cotton, grain, vegetables, and fruit.
In addition, this rich soil makes Smith County well supplied with timber. The uplands are filled with pine, red oak, post oak, black-jack, and hickory trees. While the bottoms are covered with pine-oak, walnut, water oak, sweet and black gum, and many other kinds of forest growth.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Tyler?
It is important to understand that even minor changes in summer or winter temperatures or soil moisture can significantly stress the trees. This has to do with the fact that weather controls many aspects of a tree’s vigor and health, which influences the ability of the tree to ward off diseases and insects.
With that said, Tyler is a wonderful area to garden and grow an immense amount of vegetation, including flowers and trees. Unlike the rest of Texas, Tyler and East Texas almost always have four seasons, which increases the type of plants and trees that can grow in the area. This growth is also often due to Tyler’s climate, rainfall, and soils which are conducive to producing a wide range of flora.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines In Tyler?
If there are dead trees near power lines in Tyler, the electric utility company is responsible for trimming them. This is because these trees near the power lines can significantly increase the chance of an electric service interruption and pose an unnecessary but hazardous risk of serve injury due to the fires that can result from them. Consequently, the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requires Tyler’s utility company Oncor to keep branches and dead trees clear of power lines.
That is why if you see a branch or a tree that looks dangerously close to the power lines, you can call Oncor and report it. Typically, a company representative will come out, assess the situation, and advise you on what needs to be done.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Tyler?
It is critical to understand that in Tyler, the cost of removing a tree will depend on numerous elements, including the amount of equipment needed to remove the tree and the size of the tree that is being removed. That is why before your next tree removal project, the following cost factors need to be considered, as they can substantially impact the overall price of the job.
Tree Size
In Tyler, the size of the tree will be one of the most substantial factors when determining the overall cost of tree removal. For instance, small trees that are less than 12 inches in diameter may only cost a few hundred dollars to remove. Yet, in comparison, giant trees with a diameter larger than 36 inches can cost thousands of dollars to get rid of.
The Type of Tree
Another important cost factor that you need to be aware of has to do with the type of tree removed. For example, the popular trees in the city of Tyler include elm, river birch, and oak trees. Since these oak trees can grow around 60 feet tall and exceptionally wide, the cost of the removal project can be anywhere between a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars depending on the complexity of the job.
The Health of the Tree
Usually, trees that are dying, dead, or at risk of falling over onto a structure or a home may require special equipment and safety precautions to ensure that injury is prevented when these trees are being removed. As a result, this special care may significantly increase the cost of the removal process.
