AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Portsmouth, VA

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Portsmouth?

Portsmouth is an independent historic seaport city in Virginia. It is considered a laid-back and peaceful area in the heart of metropolitan Hampton Roads. This maritime region was first settled back in 1636 because of its abundance of hardwood forests and the deep waters of the Elizabeth River. Today, when you travel to Portsmouth or become a homeowner, you will only be 30 minutes away from the ocean, a 5-minute ferry ride to Norfolk, and a 45-minute drive to Colonial Williamsburg.

Yet, even though Portsmouth is a destination favorite for many, it is not without its issues, especially when it comes to the area’s plants, flowers, and trees. Fortunately, there are things homeowners can do to protect their vegetation. But before these preventative measures can be taken, they first need to learn more about some of the common diseases the trees in the area often have to deal with. 

Powdery Mildew Disease

Powdery mildew is a disease that is often noticed late in the growing season and can develop in humid and hot weather. The condition tends to look like an accumulation of white dust on the tree leaves. However, if the disease is ignored, it can cause death to affected areas of the tree or stunted tree growth. Usually, the disease affects trees such as dogwoods in areas with poor air circulation, which are more vulnerable to the disease. As a result, if you see a white dust-like substance on the tree’s leaves, you must contact our specialists to check on the issue. 

Sudden Oak Death

Sudden Oak Death is a tree disease caused by the fungus pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. This disease often kills oak species or has devastating effects on them. Sudden Oak Death spreads quickly to healthy plants by indirect and direct contact with infected plants, soil, wind, water, and plant materials. This pathogen is especially dangerous because it also affects a wide variety of trees, plants, and shrubs, and there is no known cure. 

Thousand Cankers Disease

Thousand Cankers Disease is a disease that is caused by the fungus Geosmithia morbida and is often vectored by the walnut twig beetle. This fungus causes the development of cankers beneath the tree’s bark. As the beetles attack the tree, the number of cankers increases until they fuse to branches and the girdle twigs, restricting the movement of the nutrients and ultimately killing the tree. Generally, the thinning or dying of the branches will initially occur at the top of the tree. However, infested trees may be infected for many years before showing symptoms. 

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

Portsmouth is dedicated to promoting and protecting the public’s health, safety, and general welfare. That is why it has set regulations regarding the planting, preserving, and maintenance of trees, shrubs, and other plants within the city. These regulations are in place to:

• Ensure and encourage the planting, restoration, survival, and maintenance of trees and shrubs
  
• Ensure the community is protected from property damage and personal injury caused by the improper planting, maintenance, or removal of trees or other plants
  
• Help enhance and protect property values and aesthetic qualities
  
• Help provide further compliance rules regarding the removal of trees in the area

For these reasons, before you remove a tree, it is essential to contact the city for further information and whether they will provide you with any assistance.

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Portsmouth?

In Portsmouth, the property owners are generally responsible for taking care of their plants, flowers, and trees. Yet, if a tree falls, it does not always mean that the tree’s owner is responsible for the costs associated with removing the tree. In fact, this responsibility will often depend on the situation’s circumstances. For instance, consider the following:

If you’re a homeowner?

In Virginia, the tree owner tends to be liable for damages from a falling tree if they have preexisting knowledge that the tree was decaying, diseased, or otherwise hazardous. Otherwise, if the tree falls because of natural causes, such as strong winds, the property owner of the place where the tree fell will be accountable for taking care of it. 

For these reasons, it is imperative that if the property owner notices signs of instability, weakness, or disease in their trees, they make corrections to them within a reasonable period of time, or they can be liable for the costs associated with removing the fallen tree. 

If you’re a renter?

Before a renter can move into a rental property, they need to enter into a property agreement with the landlord. This agreement will often discuss each of the party’s respective roles in taking care of the property. However, if problems arise that are not mentioned in the contract, the landlord will often be responsible for making necessary repairs, while the renter will be in charge of maintaining the property. Subsequently, if a tree falls, it will likely be the landlord’s issue to handle. 

If you’re a landlord?

As discussed above, if a tree falls, it will be the landlord’s responsibility unless the property agreement states otherwise. Consequently, the landlord will be accountable for taking care of the costs associated with removing the fallen tree. 

If you’re a neighbor?

In Virginia, if a tree falls onto a neighbor’s yard because of natural causes, such as severe storms or heavy rain, the neighbor will be liable for the damages and removing the fallen tree. On the other hand, if the property owner should have known their tree was sick or dangerous, yet did nothing about it, they can be held accountable for the removal costs of the fallen tree if it falls onto their neighbor’s property.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Portsmouth?

Virginia’s state soil is the Pamunkey soil, which is primarily found in the coastal plains and Piedmont. The soils of the Pamunkey series are very well-drained and deep. Most of this soil is cultivated, while the remainder is used for pastures and forests. Crops that grow in Pamunkey soil include small grain, corn, soybeans, peanuts, alfalfa, tobacco, and truck crops. However, forested areas also do well with this type of soil, specifically hardwood trees and pines. 

Typically, what makes the Pamunkey soil so important in Virginia is its use and prevalence. It is formed from sediments that originated in every physiographic providence in the state and therefore represent the whole state better than most other types of soils. It is also economically and historically significant since the representative profile of the soil was excavated near Jamestown on a farm that has been designated the oldest continuously worked farm in the United States, and it is also considered to be one of the most productive soils in the state.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Portsmouth?

Unfortunately, even minor changes in temperatures or soil moisture can create severe stress in trees. This can mean bad news for Virginia tree owners since the state’s summers have gotten stickier and hotter, and flooding is happening more often.

For these reasons, before you decide to plant trees in Portsmouth, you need to make sure the tree will be able to handle the area’s ever-changing weather. That is why you need to consider the following tree varieties: 

• Autumn Cherry
• Bartlett Pear
• American Hazelnut
• American Sweetgum
• Belle of Georgia Peach
• American Red Maple
• Black Gum
• Eastern Redbud
• American Sycamore
• Sourwood

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Portsmouth?

According to the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), which has been adopted in most states, electrical utility companies are responsible for trimming trees near power lines. As a result, utility companies such as Dominion Energy must prune trees away from their power lines on a planned cycle. This ensures that consumers can maintain safe, reliable, and economical electric services. 

Typically, when these utility companies come out during a scheduled maintenance visit, they trim only limbs that vigorously rub against the service line running to a customer’s business or home. They do not cut down live or dead trees on the service line. Yet, even though the company performs scheduled trimming visits, if you see a tree encroaching on your power lines, it is important to contact the company and speak with a representative about what needs to be done, and whether the company can come out and take care of the issue. If they can’t, we can handle the problem for you!

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Portsmouth?

In Portsmouth, there are a variety of factors that can affect the cost of removing the tree, including issues such as the type of equipment needed to take down the tree and even the area surrounding the tree. For these reasons, before you spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a tree removal project, it is in your best interest to learn more about these different cost factors. 

Tree Size

When removing a tree, the size of the tree will play an essential role in determining the overall costs. The average cost of tree removal in Portsmouth will range anywhere from $200 to $750. However, the price for removing large or giant trees can cost upwards of $2,000.

Surrounding Area

Another factor you need to consider is the accessibility of the tree and the terrain that the tree is located on. For instance, if the tree:

• Is located on a slope
• Is located on a lot, where it will be hard to access the tree
• Is situated next to power lines, behind a fence, or a garden

These elements can create issues for our tree removal specialists and ultimately increase the final price.

Tree Health

If the tree is diseased, dead, or unstable, our arborists may need special safety precautions and equipment to ensure that injury can be prevented as the tree is being removed. However, if special care is required, then the overall cost of the job will go up.