Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Bristol?
- 2 Does the City of Bristol Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Bristol?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Bristol?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Bristol?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Bristol?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Bristol?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Bristol?
Bristol offers a rural feel with the benefits of a city, and the gorgeous trees in the area add to the vibe. There are many varieties of trees in the area, including:
- Eastern Redbud
- Honey Locust
- Longleaf Pine
- Loblolly Pine
- Eastern White Pine
- Red Spruce
- Bald Cypress
These trees grow to great heights and offer shade in the summer or a place to hang your hammock. When you have a tree that needs to be removed, you wonder what went wrong. The most common tree issues that we see in Bristol include:
Cold Temperatures
While the weather in Bristol remains mostly moderate during the winter months, there are times when we see snow and the weather dips well below freezing. If the temperatures remain below freezing for a few days, it’s known as a hard freeze. These frigid temperatures cause the water and nutrients in the soil to freeze, depriving the trees of their food source.
Evergreen trees are able to survive this type of weather, but others aren’t so lucky. Young trees and saplings face the most danger from the extreme temperatures.
You may have a tree that blossoms in the spring, but then it suddenly declines. This happens when a part of the tree dies during a hard freeze. Since the tree can’t process all the nutrients it needs, the entire tree becomes threatened.
Root Rot
Although the average rain and snowfall in Bristol aren’t that high, there are more than an average number of days when you see precipitation compared to the national average. This adds extra water to the soil, and your tree roots might catch a common fungal disease.
Root rot is a fungal disease that starts when the roots are submerged in water too long. It’s possible that the disease can pass from one tree to the next fairly quickly. You might be able to contact our arborists get the tree treated if you catch it early, but sometimes, that isn’t an option.
If your tree has root rot, you might notice that it’s stopped growing or that new leaves are growing smaller and paler than normal. You may notice fungus growing up on the side of the tree or areas that appear dead. Bald patches in the bark on the trunk are another sign.
Bug Infestations
Science tells us that bugs are essential to any ecosystem, but that doesn’t make them any less creep or a threat to your trees. An insect infestation can take over a tree in your Bristol yard. It could be that the bugs are making a home in your tree or slowly eating the leaves and bark.
The most common insects we see menacing trees in the area are:
- European Gypsy Moth
- Imported Fire Ant
- Asian Gypsy Moth
- Asian Longhorned Beetle
- European Cherry Fruit Fly
- European Grapevine Moth
- Light Brown Apple Moth
- Spotted Lanternfly
If you catch an infestation early, it might be possible to treat the tree and save it. However, sometimes, treating the tree isn’t an option. Our team can evaluate the tree’s condition and help you make an informed choice.
Of course, you need to know what the signs of infestation are. There are times when you notice the insects crawling all over a tree in your Bristol yard. Other signs include stunted growth and small or discolored leaves. You might even notice patches of bark missing from the tree or holes and channels where an insect tried to burrow into the tree.
Does the City of Bristol Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
No, the city of Bristol doesn’t provide any assistance for tree removal if it’s on private land. However, there might be an easement at the front of your home close to the street. Typically, an easement is a small parcel of land that the city or a utility company retains the right to use. A tree on an easement is the responsibility of the city or utility company that retains the rights.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Bristol?
The Bristol homeowner is responsible for a fallen tree on their property. You need to make all the arrangements and cover the bill. As a homeowner, you might be able to get the city or a local utility company to handle a fallen tree if it grew on an easement that they hold the rights to use. If you think the tree might be on an easement, it’s a good idea to call the city to check.
If you’re a homeowner?
As the homeowner, the city of Bristol makes it clear that you’re responsible for removing any fallen trees from your private property. The only way around this is when the tree is on an easement in your yard. Easements aren’t considered private property since the city or a utility company holds the rights to it.
If you’re a renter?
Sometimes, a renter in Bristol might need to take care of the work around the yard. This includes mowing the grass, sweeping the driveway and walkways, picking weeds, and trimming hedges. However, it doesn’t include large and expensive projects, such as removing a fallen tree. If you’re renting and notice a tree in bad shape, you should let your landlord know.
If you’re a landlord?
The landlord and the homeowner are the same people, so responsibilities are the same. You may have a lease that says the renter of your Bristol home needs to take care of the yard. However, this doesn’t include the removal of fallen trees, only routing lawn maintenance.
If you’re a neighbor?
When a neighbor’s tree falls into your yard, the neighbor is responsible for removing the dead tree, and the same is true if the tree fell from your yard. Whether it’s your fault or not, you should contact your neighbor and talk over the situation. It’ll keep you on friendly terms.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Bristol?
The most common type of soil in Bristol is Pamunkey soil. This soil contains particles of sediment that come from the James River. You find this soil running deep into the ground around your home. Your trees may benefit from this type of soil since it drains more quickly than others. However, a steady rainfall may leave your trees at risk for root rot.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Bristol?
The weather in Bristol can affect the health of your trees. When there are periods of hard freeze in the area during the winter months, you may have trees that die off due to a lack of nutrients and water.
The Bristol area might not see an above-average rainfall each year compared to the national average, but it does see the rain more often. This can leave the roots of your tree soaked in water and lead to root rot.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Bristol?
A dead tree near a power line might grow on an easement and be the responsibility of the power company. If it’s growing on your Bristol property, it’s up to you to call us to make arrangements to remove it.
Remember, if you see a dead tree lying on a power line, you need to call emergency services and the electric company. It’s a dangerous situation so stay far away.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Bristol?
This is the question that we hear most often from Bristol homeowners. We can’t provide you with an exact cost until we evaluate the tree.
We can tell you that the average costs for tree removal range between $439 to $599, but small jobs and large jobs can cost $200 and $2,000, respectively. Once we see your tree and gauge the condition, your quote for tree removal might be on the high end or the low one. There are factors that can increase the costs, such as:
Other Services
Some Bristol homeowners elect to add additional services when we remove a tree. The added services are stump removal and chipping the tree. Running the tree through a wood chipper can provide you with wood chips to use as mulch for the other trees. These services require additional time, and in the case of the wood chips, we need to bring additional equipment, increasing the costs.
Size of the Tree
It takes considerably longer to cut down a 30-foot tree than it does a five-foot tree. When we cut down a tree, we take it down in sections, beginning at the top. With larger trees, we employ extra safety measures to ensure the well-being of our crew and to make sure there isn’t damage to your Bristol home.
Location of the Tree
You’re having a tree removed because you don’t want it to crash into your house, so we make sure there aren’t any accidents when cutting it down. This takes extra precautions when a tree is close to your home or in the middle of other trees.
