AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Manassas, VA

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Manassas?

The most abundant tree species by volume in Manassas are oaks, including white oak, black oak, and northern red oak. Other tree species include white ash, white pine, black cherry, eastern red cedar, and mockernut hickory. 

Reports indicate that oaks in the white oak group have been declining and dying in significant numbers. The most common tree issues that have led to the decline of trees in Manassas and other regions in Northern Virginia include:

Water Stress (Prolonged Drought and Excessive Rain)

Droughts and floods are common experiences not just in northern Virginia, but in the entire state, as well. In recent years, there have been more significant changes in wet and dry seasons in Northern Virginia. 

According to a report by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, this region experienced very wet conditions in 2018 and early 2019. The excessive rain caused flooding and saturated soil, which can damage the roots of trees and encourage root rot diseases. 

In the months of August and September 2019, weather conditions turned hot and dry, which caused trees to rapidly lose moisture through their foliage. Considering that the root systems had been compromised in the earlier months, they couldn’t meet the increased need for water. The changes in wet and dry seasons have had a negative impact on trees, causing many of them to decline and die.

Stresses of Human Activity

Most oaks have roots that are in the top 18 inches of the soil, and the roots naturally extend well beyond the drip zone. Human activities, such as construction, have proved to be harmful to trees whose roots are extended to construction areas. 

For instance, condensation of soil from heavy equipment used in construction projects makes it difficult for roots to penetrate the soil. Digging or grading using construction equipment severs roots, endangering the health of nearby trees. Also, adding impermeable surfaces in a root zone hinders the trees’ uptake of water, oxygen, and vital nutrients. 

Insect pests

Every climate zone has its team of insect pests, and Manassas is no exception. Located in Northern Virginia, Manassas is home to different types of insect pests that specialize in attacking trees. The most common insect pests that attack trees in Northern Virginia are aphids, chestnut borers, ambrosia beetles, and Coleoptera beetles, and termites. 

These insects are considered “bad bugs” as they bore into branches and trunks, introducing harmful fungi and damaging roots. Left unaddressed, many of these insects cause trees to decline, decay, and eventually die. 

Diseases

Unfortunately, Manassas’s moderate climate makes it easier for a variety of tree diseases to spread quickly. Some of the common tree diseases affecting trees in Manassas include Hypoxylon Canker, Armillaria root rot, and Bacterial Leaf Scorch. 

Infected trees usually exhibit symptoms from bacterial disease and fungal pathogens. Like insects, tree diseases harm and kill trees by disrupting the biological processes they rely on to survive.

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

Manassas’s Code of Ordinances provides guidance on how residents should approach tree removal issues. Sec. 122-72 stipulates that their arborist may call for the pruning or removal of:

• Dead trees, decaying trees, and trees that are in danger of falling
• Trees or other plants that endanger individuals using the sidewalks and streets of the city
• Trees that pose a risk of fire
• Trees that pose a risk of property damage because of their condition and/or location

If trees posing a hazard to human life or safety in his/her are spotted, the city arborist may give a written notice of violation to the property owner or occupier, stipulating a reasonable date for tree removal. 

If the property owner or occupier fails to comply with the notice, the city may remove the tree and require the property owner or occupier to meet the cost of tree removal. In the event of an emergency, the city may have the tree removed without prior notice and obligate the property owner or occupier to pay the tree removal cost.  

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Manassas?

The provisions of the Manassas’s Code of Ordinances regarding tree removal apply to any person who owns, occupies, or operates private horticultural, agricultural, or forest lands. The provisions also apply to anyone who engages in land-disturbing activities that result from the tilling, planting, or harvesting of horticultural, agricultural, or forest crops. The important question here is: Are you responsible for fallen tree removal in Manassas?

If you’re a homeowner?

As the homeowner, you are responsible for tree removal in Manassas under Sec. 122-72. Besides the provisions of the Manassas’s Code of Ordinances, the Virginia Law stipulates that the property owner is responsible for removing trees that pose a hazard to human life and safety. Moreover, homeowners are responsible for the removal of most nuisance items a tree may drop. 

If you’re a renter?

Just like property owners, occupiers of a property in which trees grow are directly responsible for fallen tree removal under Sec. 122-72 of the Manassas’s Code of Ordinances. If there are trees posing a hazard to human life and safety growing on the rented property, you will be held responsible if you didn’t take any action to notify the landlord to have it removed. As such, you should inform the property owner and request their removal before they cause harm. In case you are directly responsible for the falling down of the tree, you will be responsible for its removal.

If you’re a landlord?

As the landlord, it is your duty to maintain everything that exists in your property, including trees. Unless a tenant is directly responsible for the falling down of a tree, you will be responsible for its removal.

If you’re a neighbor?

If your neighbor’s tree falls on your property but hits nothing but the ground, you’ll simply have to try to fix the issue yourself. Doing so is referred to as “self-remedy,” and it’s perfectly legal in Virginia. 

However, if you can prove that a neighbor’s tree has caused actual damage to your property after the neighbor failed to maintain the tree, the neighbor will be responsible for its removal. Moreover, you may be able to receive compensation for that damage. 

Note that if the tree fell due to a natural cause, such as due to extreme weather, your neighbor may not be responsible for the removal of the fallen tree or for the compensation for the damage caused. Your homeowner’s insurance will probably pay for the removal of the fallen tree and pay to repair the damages. 

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Manassas?

There is a close link between trees and the soils they grow in. In addition to providing a base for trees to attach themselves firmly in place, the soil also stores water and the minerals dissolved in it, which trees depend on to grow. 

Manassas’s soils are very deep, well-drained, and have moderate to moderately rapid permeability. They consist of colluvial and residual materials originating from siltstone, shale, and conglomerate in the Piedmont Province. The soil is subject to flooding for brief periods during heavy rainstorms. 

According to the Soil Survey of Prince William County, tree seeds, seedlings, and cuttings grow and survive well on Manassas’s soils. The projected average annual production of wood per acre is 300 board feet. 

Although Manassas’s soils support the growth of trees, there are several limitations that affect the long-term survival of trees. High acidity levels in the soil, along with seasonal wetness and erosive steep slopes, are the major limitations. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Manassas?

Regardless of where you call home in Virginia, the odds are that you live within one hour’s drive to a place that claims some kind of statewide weather extreme. Manassas is one of the areas in Virginia that experiences extreme weather conditions that affect tree health in Manassas, from prolonged drought periods to excessive rainy seasons.

Recent reports indicate that severe weather moved across the mid-Atlantic and North East, with the area around Manassas hardest hit. According to the National Weather Service, hail up to one inch in diameter fell in Manassas and numerous trees were toppled in the area due to the severe storm. The severe weather not only affects tree health, but also threatens tree survival in Manassas.

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Manassas

Besides ruining the aesthetics of your home, decaying and dead trees can cause significant and expensive damage. Signs of a dead tree include dried leaves, lack of buds, and fallen barks. Such trees can either fall or result in falling branches that can be disastrous.

Under Sec.122-72, the city arborist may require the pruning or removal of trees or parts that are in danger of falling. Dead trees near power lines are considered to be trees posing a hazard to human life or safety. If you have dead trees near power lines in Manassas, you need to have them removed before they cause any damage or harm. 

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Manassas?

In Manassas, Virginia, removing a tree can typically cost anywhere from $200 for an easy job to over $1,600 for a difficult one. Whether you want a single tree removed or you have multiple trees you want off your property, what you will pay for the tree removal service is dependent on several factors. These factors include:

Size of the tree (Tree Height and Diameter of Trunk)

In general, the taller and thicker a tree is, the more care and consideration has to go into its removal. When removing a tall tree, our crew will likely have to climb it before felling it. This is an intricate process that requires many man-hours to take the tree down.

Tree Condition

Some trees are harder to remove than others. For instance, healthy trees are much harder to remove than decaying, dead, and storm-damaged trees. Therefore, the cost of tree removal will depend on the amount of time, effort, and resources needed from us to do the job.

Tree Location

If the decaying or dead tree is located near your home, a fence, or a power line, our tree removal specialist will require special equipment to take the tree down without causing any damage. If our specialist will need to rent man lifts and other special equipment, the costs for these services will be added to the tree removal cost.