AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Saint George, UT

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Saint George?

When it comes to choosing a beautiful place to live, Saint George is near the top of the list. This area sees more sunshine than most places within the United States. Despite the sun and desert atmosphere, the temperatures are mild most of the year. This enables certain trees to do well, providing shade and beauty to the city streets. Among the best trees for this area, you will find:

• Little Leaf Ash
• Mesquite
• Yellow Bird-of-Paradise
• Desert Willows
• And Numerous Fruit Trees

The abundance of trees is by design. The fruit-bearing trees provide food, and the other types of trees provide shade from the sun, which is typically going to shine more than 300 days a year.

With all these trees growing everywhere, tree issues in Saint George are quite common. For some tree types, the biggest issue stems from “leaf scorch” or “verticillium”. Both issues stem from hot temperatures and not enough water. Large, leafed trees are particularly susceptible. They have more surface area for the sun. Sadly, many young trees will die off before reaching maturity because of the heat and lack of water.

If the drought and heat don’t get your trees, you may still have to deal with:

• Shoot Boring Insects
• Bark Beetles
• Woolly Aphids
• Bark Inclusions
• Fungus (Especially Fruit Trees)
• Sycamore Anthracnose (in Sycamore Trees)
• Ash Borers (in Ash Trees)

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

In Saint George, there really is no dedicated program to help you remove trees. It is up to the property owner to handle tree removal when necessary. The exception is a tree that is located on public property, then it can be turned over to the county or the utility company.

If you have a dead or diseased tree on your private property within city limits, the office of the city forester may demand that you remove it. Your first notice will often be in writing. You then have 60 days before the county will come to remove it for you at a cost to you, according to Saint George Municipal Code 7-4-7. Section 7-4-8 shows that no one may cause damage to any street tree without prior authorization.

However, if you have a tree on your property that is damaged, you will want to remove it as quickly as possible. If you don’t, then you could be liable for injuries or damages if the tree falls on its own. 

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Saint George?

In Washington County, Utah, it is all about property ownership. You are responsible for the care and maintenance of trees that are in your yard, whether planting or removing them. This makes it easy to determine liability and rights regarding all trees. First, it is important to understand that your property extends from ground to sky and to all your property lines. You must maintain what is on your property, including your trees.

Let’s say you have a tree that is located near a property line. Your neighbor is legally able to cut the tree limbs as long as it does not kill the tree or prevent the tree from producing fruit. If they kill the tree, they could be faced with a fine of up to three times as much as the value of the tree.

So, who has to deal with a fallen tree? This is where things get trickier. It depends on who you are, the circumstances of it falling, and whose property the tree lands on.

If you’re a homeowner?

A homeowner’s primary job is to take care of their property. However, if a windstorm blows in and your tree falls, it can make you question who is responsible for its removal. If the tree falls onto your land, it is you who must take care of its removal. In the event that your tree falls into your neighbors’ yard, it becomes their responsibility. In both cases, homeowners’ insurance may cover the cost, but it is left up to the homeowner to claim it.

A tree that is sick or dead and then falls is a little different. You could be held liable for the damages that it caused when it fell, as well as its removal.

If you’re a renter?

The property owner will be responsible for trees in most cases as long as it was an act of “nature” that caused them to fall. This is because even though you rent the property, they are still the owner of it. This does not mean that if you go out and cut a tree down, then the owner may have to pay for damages if it causes property damage for you or your neighbor. In this case, you may be responsible for property damage costs, removal costs, and killing a tree.

If you’re a landlord?

Some renters are responsible for landscaping and tree care, but it must be included in their lease agreement. This means that, ultimately, you will likely have the responsibility of handling fallen tree removal as the owner of the property. 

If you’re a neighbor?

There are many cases of disputes between neighbors over trees. In Utah, it is no different. Some disputes include one neighbor being upset because tree leaves/limbs fell into their yard when the wind blew. It is an act of nature, and therefore, not something the landowner has to fix. If their tree falls into your yard, you are responsible for its removal, filing insurance claims, etc. There are exceptions to every rule, though. If you can prove that the neighbor knew it was dead or attempted to cut it down without proper training, they could be held liable if it damages your property. You may still have to bear the burden of removal, but it may be a shared responsibility in the courts. 

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Saint George?

Unfortunately, the soil is quite bad in Saint George, as well as many other areas of Southern Utah. It is made up of mostly blue clay, which means that it is expansive soil. It may swell when wet and shrink when drying out. This can make it difficult for plant life unless you take steps to improve your soil.

First, the landscaping. In blue clay or other expansive soils, you want to keep plants at least five feet from the home’s foundation. Trees should be approximately 15 feet from the home to provide ample area for roots to grow. You may want to improve the soil quality around your trees using:

• Compost
• Peat Moss
• Manure
• Adding Irrigation
• Improving Aeration

You can have the soil tested to ensure that it has a good soil pH for the types of trees that you have. This can help you feel better about planting new trees to replace sick ones. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Saint George?

Most people like the nice weather throughout the year in Saint George (even though it isn’t ideal). During the summer months, when temperatures soar above 100 degrees, it can become rough. Add to that the lack of rainfall, and trees become a valuable commodity. It is a difficult job with approximately 14.5 hours of sunlight each day during the summer, but keeping healthy trees is important. All that sun causes frequent droughts. The workaround is that your trees must be hardy enough to handle it.

For this reason, if you are planting a new tree around your home, you will want to consider drought-tolerant trees. These trees include:

• Holly Oaks
• Southern Live Oaks
• Wilson Olives
• Mesquites
• And Others

When you choose a tree that is made for extreme temperatures and droughts, you are adding beauty to your world and shading your home; both of which will be very important for your Saint George home!

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Saint George?

Having a tree near a power line is not good, whether it is a healthy tree or a dead one. It can pose a major threat to the safety of your power grid and public health.

In general, the electric company is the one responsible for trimming or removing trees near power lines, especially if it is on a public roadway. This means you should contact your local electric company. According to Dixie Power, if you notice a power emergency, such as a tree may fall soon, you should call 911 for assistance.

If the tree that is dead or hazardous is located on your property, you will have to deal with it. If it poses an immediate threat, you should call 911 for emergency services. For a tree that does not pose an immediate threat, you can contact someone on our team to help you remove the dead tree. 

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Saint George?

The cost of tree removal ranges from $300 to $1,900 in most cases, with an average cost of $500. If you want a more specific quote, we can come out and take a look to provide our professional option. Your out-of-pocket cost will depend on several things, though. They include:

The Size of the Tree

In general, if you need a tree removed that is less than 10-feet tall, your price will be cheaper. Larger trees may have a larger root system that could pose a threat to underground water pipes and more. This can increase your total cost for removal. The same is true of trees that may be protected under the Utah Heritage Tree Act of 1975. For this, the tree removal process will have to have prior approval.

Accessibility of the Tree

Buildings, streets, and power lines are all important factors on how accessible your tree may be. The harder our arborist will have to work to get to it and bring it down safely, the more it is going to cost you.

Special Equipment and Considerations

Some trees, such as the willow, sycamore, and palm, are fast-growing trees that are not easy to trim or remove. If special equipment has to be brought in to help us remove the tree, then the price may increase. Other considerations such as the time it takes for removal, how much preparation is needed for removal, and general labor fees will also apply.