AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Winchester, VA

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Winchester?

The City of Winchester is a proud Tree City USA for over 30 years now. The city has a dedicated Trees Division responsible for the health and safety of all trees on streets and in the public rights-of-way. The Approved Tree Planting List includes various widely acceptable trees suited for the city’s growing conditions, including on streets, residential properties, parks, golf courses, and other developed areas.

Some of the tree species that do well in Winchester city and other parts of the state include red maple, trident maple, Tatarian maple, Washington Hawton, flowering dogwood, loblolly pine, tulip poplar, sweetgum, and black gum. Others are Purple Leaf Plum eastern redbud, sourwood, Star Magnolia, red maple, Concolor Fir, Common Boxwood, American Holly, Eastern Redcedar, among many others. 

Residents of Winchester would love their trees and shrubs to be lush, green, and healthy throughout the entire growing season. However, trees in Winchester are susceptible to several common tree pests and diseases that cause massive damage and untimely deaths each year. Some of the common pests that damage trees we’ve noted in Winchester include:

• Spotted Lanternfly: Spotted Lanternfly is fairly a new pest in the United States that feeds on about 70 plant species. According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Spotted Lanternfly is dangerous and destructive to agriculture, horticulture, and forests across the state. It is not only a nuisance to homeowners, but it also poses a threat to Virginia’s apple, peach, grape, and wine industries. Virginia is under federal quarantine for Spotted Lanternfly and regulates items like firewood from being moved outside the area.
• Emerald Ash Borer (EAB): The EAB was accidentally introduced into North America from Asia in 2002. Undoubtedly, the pest is now one of the most damaging non-native insects in the US. It infests all pests of species of ash trees. Typically, adult beetles lay eggs in the tree bark, and as the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow beneath the barks and start feeding on the vascular tissue. This invasion ultimately affects the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients leading to stunted growth and untimely death.
• Gypsy Moth:Gypsy Moth is a small insect that is only active in mid to late July. It is not the gypsy moth that should worry you but the hairy gypsy moth caterpillars that feed mostly on oak trees, apples, birch, poplar, and willow. The caterpillars cause massive damage to Winchester trees leading to defoliation and eventual death. 

These are just but a few tree pests and issues with Winchester trees. If pests and diseases infest your tree, you may need urgent removal. If you suspect your trees are battling any of the conditions or other issues mentioned here, feel free to contact us at Tree Triage. We provide exceptional tree removal and trimming services highly customized to fit your needs and budget.

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

Winchester has tree ordinances that guide planting, tree maintenance practices, cutting, and removal. The regulations also provide an extensive list of trees approved for planting within the city. Additionally, Winchester city’s tree ordinances offer residents clear guidelines for tree removal if a tree in question poses a threat to families and the entire community. 

As per Winchester City ordinances, property owners are solely responsible for maintaining, conserving, and removing diseased and dead trees and shrubs in their private property. The only time the city will pay for tree removal from any property is where the tree in question is determined to pose dangers to the community’s safety or obstruct pedestrians and vehicle views.

Additionally, the city of Winchester has specified some rules regarding tree removal, trimming, pruning, and planting. For trees on city streets or public rights-of-way, residents and businesses can request the City Arborist for tree removal.

Whether the City of Winchester will provide any assistance in tree removal will be determined by the tree’s location and the reason for removal. The City’s Tree Division is also constantly looking out for trees and shrubs that pose safety hazards to pedestrians and other road users.

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Winchester?

Ideally, you are responsible for maintaining all trees and shrubs within your property, which means that you incur the cost of removal should any of your trees fall on your property. But what if you are a neighbor, renter, landlord, a homeowner? 

Let’s take a look at the available options:

If you’re a homeowner?

In Winchester, VA, you are typically responsible for tree removal costs if you are a homeowner. If you have homeowner’s insurance, the policy may cover the removal costs and damages depending on what caused the tree to fall and where the tree was located.

If you’re a renter?

A downed tree is considered a maintenance issue in Winchester, VA. Unless it is clearly stated in the lease, the cost of removing a fallen tree is legally and financially the landlord’s responsibility. Check your lease contract for tree maintenance responsibilities before you move into any house.

If you’re a landlord?

In Winchester, the rental property owner’s responsibility is to remove any fallen tree or shrub on a rented property. As such, if you are a landlord in Winchester city and there is a downed or diseased tree on your property, you will cover the cost of removal.

If you’re a neighbor?

If a neighbor’s tree falls into your property and causes damage to your real or personal property, your homeowner’s insurance will pay for the tree removal and repair costs of the resultant damages. However, the situation is different if you can prove negligence from your neighbor. For example, should it be established your neighbor’s tree was diseased or dead and the neighbor did not remove it, you may have a valid claim they have breached the duty of care, causing damage to your property. In such a scenario, it is advisable to agree on the cost of removal and repairs with your neighbor. However, if your neighbor disagrees with your assessment, the only way to resolve the dispute would be to file a lawsuit.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Winchester

Although Virginia soils are known for their fertility, parts of Frederick County and Winchester city specifically have problematic marine clay soil. The marine clay soil swells when it is wet and shrinks upon drying. Some of the potential problems associated with these soils include land slippage and slope instability, poor foundation support, and poor drainage leading to the sudden falling of trees during stormy weather. Besides, clay soils can become so waterlogged that they deprive tree roots of oxygen or so dry that they become too complicated for trees to get water and nutrients. All these issues eventually lead to tree deaths.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Winchester?

Winchester, Virginia, receives 38 inches of rain, on average annually. It is not unusual for the city to experience stormy precipitation accompanied by high winds, ice, and lighting. These storm-related events cause massive damage to parts of trees due to the wind throw effect. Each year, thousands of trees in the city are lost to adverse weather events in the city. Additionally, Winchester averages 22 inches of snow per year. Excessive snow and ice can damage woody shrubs and trees by breaking branches, splitting them, or uprooting the entire tree.

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Winchester?

Trees and tree limbs near power lines could result in injury or death due to electric shock or electrocution. The Winchester city’s electric utility department is responsible for trimming trees near power lines per the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), which is adopted in various states, including Virginia. It is also essential to note individual property owners may be required to report any downed tree or poorly maintained trees near power lines in their neighborhood.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Winchester?

Ideally, all tree removal jobs are unique, and there is no one that fits all prices. However, the average cost to remove a tree in Winchester is around $200 to $750 for a typical project. Larger and more complicated trees can reach up to around $1,800. Several factors will determine the actual price you will pay. These include:

Safety Concerns

The primary concern of our arborists is safety. If we establish the tree in question poses health and safety risks, we will likely charge more as we need specialized equipment and experienced removal experts. Some of the safety concerns that can lead to massive price increase include close proximity to utility lines, poor tree condition, or precarious location, for example, if the tree is sandwiched between properties.

Size of Tree and Location

Typically, taller and more bulky trees cost more to remove as we will take more time and specialized skills to remove such trees. Additionally, if the tree is in a location that is difficult to reach, the removal cost will be more. 

The Time Required

Our tree removal professionals develop a schedule to complete a tree removal project based on the job’s complexity. If it takes more time to complete the project successfully, the cost will increase.

If you prefer trimming or pruning your tree rather than the removal, you should take note of the following costs:

• Average cost of tree trimming and pruning: $142.56 per hour (two-man crew)
• Average cost of Protecting Trees and Shrubs from pests and Disease: $56.86 per trunk injection
• Average cost of Tree Stump Removal: $3.45 per linear inch (diameter of stump)
• Average cost of Land and Lot Clearing: $1,866.98 per acre