Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Fredericksburg?
- 2 Does the City of Fredericksburg Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Fredericksburg?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Fredericksburg?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Fredericksburg?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Fredericksburg?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Fredericksburg?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Fredericksburg?
One of the biggest tree issues Fredericksburg homeowners face is caused by a bug, hemlock woolly adelgid. This sap-sucking insect feeds solely on hemlock trees. They suck all the sap from the tree as they grow and incubate inside. Without proper sap flow, water and nutrients can’t reach all the areas of the tree. Damage is most severe to eastern hemlock and Carolina hemlock, but all species are affected. A large infestation can kill a tree in as little as two years.
The hemlock woolly adelgid is native to the Pacific Northwest and Asia, but it has become established in the Eastern United States, killing thousands of trees.
The polyphagous shot hole borer is a recent pest to the Virginia landscape. This beetle bores into trees, creating cubicles where it feeds and lays eggs. Their activity disrupts the flow of water and nutrients. The polyphagous shot hole borer is especially damaging because it deposits a pathogenic fungus that kills trees quickly.
Anthracnose is a tree fungus that causes problems for Fredericksburg trees. It is most commonly found on deciduous trees such as dogwood, oak, maple, sycamore, and ash. Symptoms include brown areas along the veins, dead leaf margins and tips, twig death, and premature defoliation.
Powdery mildew is another fungus that will cause a decline in the overall health of your tree. It leads to leaf yellowing, browning, distortion, or often early dropping.
These are the diseases and issues with Fredericksburg trees that we see most often. Fredericksburg has also seen trees destroyed from the usual suspects like mold, fire, newly established invasive insects, and even invasive plants. If you think your trees may be suffering from disease, pests, or other issues, please contact us at Tree Triage as soon as you notice any problems.
Does the City of Fredericksburg Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
There are a variety of tree ordinances in effect in the city of Fredericksburg. These ordinances regulate the use and maintenance of trees, but also set the groundwork to protect citizens and property from trees that pose a problem or safety risk. The city does provide assistance removing trees if the tree is on city property. Any tree that needs to be removed from private property for any reason is the responsibility of the property owner.
The only exception would be if a tree or portion of the tree were blocking the view of passing vehicles or cyclists, or if it posed a public health risk.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Fredericksburg?
When a tree falls on private property in Fredericksburg, removal is the responsibility of the property owner. Restoration of damages to their own property or other properties involved falls to the property owner, as well.
It sounds simple, but it isn’t always so. If there is one thing that has a good chance of causing division among neighbors, it would be who is responsible for fallen tree removal and its associated expenses.
So, let’s get ahead of the ball and take a look at this issue for homeowners, renters, and landlords.
If you’re a homeowner?
Homeowners take care of their own tree removal expenses. That’s a given. There is help, though. Start with your homeowner’s insurance. Most policies include a clause for tree removal, at least a portion of it. Another good idea is to check the tree ordinances to see if your specific location in Fredericksburg has any special circumstances that can benefit you.
If you’re a renter?
If you rent in the Fredericksburg, VA area, and a tree falls, who is on the hook for the cost of clean up and removal? The landlord is the short answer (or the property owner). Virginia laws are specific in that when a tree falls on privately owned land, it is the responsibility of the landowner.
The exception would be if the tree falls as a direct result of something that the renter did. If there is adequate proof, then the landlord would be within their legal rights to seek judgment from the tenant.
If you’re a landlord?
Any tree removal, trimming, pruning, or other maintenance on a rented property in the Fredericksburg area is the sole responsibility of the property owner, even if you own more than one property. The landlord may be responsible for getting the work done, and if any legal problems arise, they will also land at the feet of the property owner.
If you’re a neighbor?
Disputes between neighbors are unpleasant. Sometimes they even lead to violence or police intervention. All too often, a fallen tree is the sparking point to a big neighborhood blowout. You are responsible for removal and repairs if a tree falls on your neighbor’s property, but exactly what and how much you have to pay is decided by the insurance companies.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Fredericksburg?
Virginia’s state soil is called Pamunkey soil. It is very deep and well-drained. Since the days of the Pamunkey Indian Nation, the soil has been naturally highly fertile with high crop yields. The soil possesses sediments from all across the state because the James River crosses the whole state and carries sediment with it along the way.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Fredericksburg?
Fredericksburg has a humid, subtropical environment that directly affects tree health. Fredericksburg is a coastal community and sees a variety of rough weather patterns. Temperatures are generally above freezing throughout the winter months, so there isn’t much tree damage due to frostbite or deep cold.
High winds off the water can cause a salt burn that fatally damages trees, leaving them exposed for several months. High winds also bring in tropical moisture loaded with salt spray from the sea. This salt burn can have a devastating effect on a tree’s long-term health. Most trees will recover in five to seven years, but just two bad seasons can certainly kill a tree.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Fredericksburg?
Sometimes a storm will come along and dislodge a limb, causing it to fall onto a power line. Other times they just snap under their own weight. A downed power line due to a limb not only knocks the power out but is dangerous, as well. Only a team of electrical professionals is able to repair a broken power line. Give the Rappahannock Electric Co-Op a call. They know exactly what to do.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Fredericksburg?
Tree removal is not cheap. Small jobs, such as a few stray limbs after a storm, will probably cost you $100 or so, but a big tree removal job might end up costing even more than the estimate. If you live in the greater Fredericksburg area of Virginia, you can expect to spend a minimum of a hundred or two and a maximum of $2,000 with most jobs averaging $1,340. No matter what side of the fence you’re on, tree removal in Fredericksburg comes with a fairly hefty price tag.
Now, let’s take a look at some contributing factors in the cost of Fredericksburg tree removal.
Accessibility
Where a tree falls has a lot to do with how much it costs to clean it up. If major equipment like bucket trucks or cranes are required to complete the clean-up, costs will reflect it. A tree that falls over in the middle of a field with nothing around will be a piece of cake on the other hand. Another factor is whether the tree falls onto another structure like a well house or garden shed. Costs will be higher to clean up the additional mess.
Size of the Tree
Not so surprisingly, the size of the tree has a big impact on how much the clean-up will cost. A tiny sapling won’t cost as much to clean up as a huge oak tree. A 20-foot tree in Fredericksburg can cost roughly $300 to $500 to remove. Trees larger than 50 feet can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500 to remove and clean up.
Tree Stump Removal
Tree stumps cost to remove, too. Sometimes a tree snaps at the base, or if it has to be cut down, you may not want the stump to stay in your yard. They can be dug up and removed or ground down. It is not a service that is usually included in the price of tree removal, so unless you have plans for that stump, you’ll have to pay to get rid of it. If it is done by a subcontractor, the costs can be considerable.
Type of Tree
The species of the tree affects the price to cut it down and clean it up. Oak trees are some of the hardest wood there is, it can cost upwards of $300 to remove an oak tree, depending on the size.
Limb Chipping
Limb chipping is when instead of having the limbs cut and hauled off, they are put through a wood chipper. Many tree services include this in the price of removal, especially if they have a wood chipper readily available. If not, it won’t be much more than $75.
Log Splitting
If you have a fireplace, you may as well get some firewood out of a fallen tree. The tree service you choose may have a log splitter they can use to split the fallen tree into pieces of wood perfect for your fireplace. There isn’t a fixed price for this type of service, and it may be included in the price of clean-up, but it’s another service that won’t cost over $75 in most areas of Fredericksburg.