AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Palmyra, VA

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Palmyra?

Despite the flourishing vegetation in Palmyra, challenges are not absent. Common tree issues include extreme weather, pest infestation, and disease attack. 

Extreme Weather

Extreme weather is experienced by many regions across the nation. Tornados, hail, floods, severe thunderstorms, drought, and high winds often wreak havoc on trees whenever they hit. Storms usually uproot trees or snap branches, leaving them with wounds that attract pests. 

Prolonged dry weather also ruins trees in many ways. For instance, lack of enough precipitation dehydrates them, which deteriorates their health. Consequently, the absence of moisture destroys the root system, making the trees susceptible to root rot when it rains.

Pest Infestation

Pest infestation results from several causes. However, weather-stressed and generally unhealthy trees are more susceptible to attacks. The insects enjoy perching on such trees as they lack the strength to fight these insects off. Typically, in cases of beetle infestations, a tree releases sap to flush the insects and their larvae out of their burrows. Unhealthy trees do not have enough sap, especially following a drought.

Palmyra trees are affected by both general and species-specific pests, such as the southern pine beetle, hemlock woody adelgid, and emerald ash borer, while some beetles and aphids infest the barks and foliage of several tree species. For instance, hemlock woody adelgids feed on the sap of new needles of hemlocks, leading to premature needle fall. Needles help in food production during photosynthesis, and their fall causes tree starvation. Persistent infestation often results in the tree’s death, which may take four to ten years.

Tree Diseases

Tree diseases are also prevalent, especially among weather-weakened and pest-infested trees. These affect any tree, regardless of its species. From maples to ashes, oaks, dogwoods, beeches, pines, magnolias, and hemlocks, all trees are susceptible to disease.

Anthracnose is one of the most common diseases, with dogwoods being the fungus’ favorite host. Needle blight is also another fungal infection that leads to premature foliage defoliation, thereby stunting tree growth. 

Oaks also get attacked by oak wilt, which results in premature defoliation. Powdery mildew is yet another fungal infection affecting many species. The fungus grows on different parts of the plant and often manifests as white or gray powdery spots. Affected leaves eventually turn yellow and fall.

Does the Community of Palmyra Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?

The community of Palmyra, through the Fluvanna County government, protects its tree canopies proactively. According to the county ordinances, trees must be preserved to the maximum practicable extent. As such, the removal of diseased, dying, or dead trees must abide by the regulations. 

Fluvanna government is responsible for the removal of dead, dying, and diseased public trees, but allows landowners to remove those adjourning their property, upon applying and receiving a permit. A permit is also required for removing trees on private property unless the tree is less than five inches in diameter.

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Palmyra?

Generally, Palmyra landowners are responsible for the removal of fallen trees on their property. However, the responsibility may shift if the tree damages insured property, in which case, the homeowners insurance compensation takes care of the removal costs. That said, the responsibility applies as follows:

If you’re a homeowner?

As a homeowner, you’re responsible for removing your fallen trees. Nonetheless, if a tree falls on your house or any other structure covered under your homeowners policy, your insurer should meet the removal costs alongside other damages. Note that you’re responsible for maintaining your trees and making sure they’re in good condition at all times. If the fall was due to negligence, and the insurance company proves that, they may deny the claim.

If you’re a renter?

Renters may pay a monthly property maintenance fee, but that’s as far as their responsibility goes. If a tree falls on the property, the landlord is responsible for its removal unless the renters benefit from its products, and the landlord wishes to pass some of the removal costs to them. However, if the tree damages insured property, the respective insurer should cater to the removal costs besides the damages. If the tree damages the tenants’ property, such as a car or personal belongings, their policies should cover the damages.

If you’re a landlord?

A landlord is primarily responsible for the removal of fallen trees on their rental property. Where the tree destroys insured property, part of the compensation should cater to the removal costs. 

If you’re a neighbor?

If your neighbor’s tree topples over the fence onto your property, your homeowners policy should cover the removal costs alongside any other damages that occur. However, if it causes damage to uninsured property or doesn’t cause any damage at all, your neighbor has a moral obligation to compensate you and remove their tree. 

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Palmyra?

Planting trees in the right soil is essential for their health. Soil not only supports trees and strengthens them to withstand adverse weather conditions, but it also stores up nutrients and water necessary for good growth. 

There are different soil types, and they all affect plant growth differently. The three main soils include clay, sandy, and loamy soils. Each soil is made from distinct particles that combine in different quantities. 

Sandy soils have bigger grains and usually contain more sand grains. The soils are overly drained and offer poor nutrient and water retention. They also do not provide excellent support as compared to the more compact clay soils. 

Clay soils have the most refined grains and are highly compact. However, this makes them poorly-drained. Planting trees in these soils subject them to excessive moisture, which ruins their roots. The soils also bind up nutrients, thereby hindering proper absorption.  

Loam soils are the most ideal for tree growing. They have the right grain structure, which allows water and nutrient storage and absorption.

Palmyra features different soils existing in various textures. Mostly, you will come across sandy loams, clay loams, and loams. Different tree species require different soil properties. We always advise customers to perform a soil test before planting a tree to ensure they’re giving it ideal conditions for optimal growth. 

However, soils that contain too much clay can be prepared by raising beds to improve drainage. Clay also tends to be highly acidic. If a tree requires neutral or alkaline pH, we recommend liming the soil to increase its pH. In cases of sandy soils, adding organic matter helps increase its water retention ability.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Palmyra?

Weather in Palmyra is both a blessing and a curse to tree health. During temperate weather, trees grow and thrive. However, when extreme conditions hit, such as floods, droughts, thunderstorms, and high winds, the trees suffer the blow. 

For instance, thunderstorms strike trees, falling some and breaking branches of others. While trees can survive broken branches, the wounds take time to heal. On the other hand, floods affect soil drainage. Excessive soil moisture increases chances of disease attack, such as root rot, which may cause tree death if there’s no immediate intervention.

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Palmyra?

Palmyra power utility companies are responsible for managing vegetation along power lines. For instance, Dominion Energy carries out vegetation management along its power lines on a 3 to 4-year cycle. This includes trimming vegetation, applying pesticides, and removing any hazardous trees. In the same way, Central Virginia Electric Cooperative ensures timely clearing of vegetation along their lines to minimize the risks of outages that often arise when thunderstorms and high winds rock the community. They also liaise with property owners and the government to remove any diseased, dead, or hazardous trees along their lines.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Palmyra?

Tree removal cost in Palmyra varies depending on the tree size, location, and condition of the tree. Essentially, you should expect to pay between $300 and $2,000, with most jobs averaging around $650. This is relatively cheaper than the national averages, which range between $700-$800. Our quotes usually include clearing costs. However, this is a universal tree removal pricing model, where stump removal is charged separately. If you wish to have your stump removed, you can expect to pay between $100 and $250, depending on its diameter and depth.  

Tree Size

Tree size is usually the primary cost determinant. A smaller 20-foot tree usually costs much less than a 70-foot tree. Removing the latter is very involved as it would require our team to climb up and rope down pieces of the trunk to minimize landscape damage. We would also be expected to use special equipment if the tree is near a structure, which would escalate the cost. In the same way, trees with a larger crown cost more as the amount of work involved in cutting and clearing the tree is more.

Location

The tree’s accessibility is another crucial cost factor. Trees that are near structures, cliffs, rivers, etc., often cost more due to the removal logistics involved. For instance, if a tree is hanging over your roof, we may require the use of a bucket truck or a crane to cut it down without damaging your home. On the same note, a tree that’s in difficult-to-access terrain would require more effort to get the necessary equipment on site. These special requirements add up to the cost.

Condition

Removing a healthy tree costs much less than a diseased or dead tree. While we can do away with special equipment and use manual labor to remove healthy trees, this may not be possible when dealing with the latter. Climbing a hazardous tree is way too risky, and we would need to use a crane to cut down the tree. 

Finally, we also charge a higher fee to remove a tree that has fallen on top of a building than one on an open field. This is because extra caution is required to safely remove the tree. Special equipment would also be needed, thus escalating the cost further.