Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Woodridge?
- 2 Does the City of Woodbridge Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Woodbridge?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Woodbridge?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Woodbridge?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Woodbridge?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Woodbridge?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Woodridge?
No matter how well you take care of your trees, problems are often unavoidable. Property owners in Woodridge often have to deal with the following issues.
Pests and Diseases
While you can treat some tree diseases successfully, others cause your trees to die. Watch out for these common pests that tend to attack trees in Woodbridge and cause serious diseases.
- Scale insects – Scale insects feed on the tree sap and slowly kill the tree by causing premature leaf drop and twig dieback. As a “bonus”, some species produce a sticky substance called honeydew that promotes the growth of sooty mold. Scale insects are tiny (about 1/8 inch) so it’s hard to notice them before the infestation turns severe. Some of these insects only attack fruiting trees while others don’t mind infesting all types of plants.
- Mites – Mites are even smaller than scale insects. They grow up to be about 1/50th of an inch. These tiny culprits can be extremely destructive to both trees and shrubs. The worst kind in Woodbridge is a spider mite. They feed on the chlorophyll of the tree and cause leaves to fall off. Spider mites leave webs (hence the name) that damage trees as well. They love oaks, maples, and fruit trees.
- Bagworms – Bagworms live and reproduce on the tree while munching on buds and foliage. When the tree is infested, branch tips turn brown and die. Bagworms can eat more than 80% of any given tree. They attack 120 different tree types but prefer cedars, pines, and fruit trees throughout Woodbridge.
- Japanese beetles – These beetles feed on tree flowers and foliage. Otherwise, healthy trees can survive the damage caused by beetle infestation. However, they lose the aesthetic appeal.
- Borers – Woodboring insects can cause a lot of damage to a tree. Borers are the larval form of certain insects, which feed beneath the tree bark, destroying it in the process. After coming from Asia, the most famous borer, Emerald Ash Borer, destroyed numerous ash trees in Woodbridge.
In many cases, it’s possible to control and eliminate these pests. When control measures aren’t working, a tree may need to be removed.
Allergies
When spring and summer come, allergy-free Woodridge residents plan hiking trips and riverbank picnics. However, anyone who suffers from allergies starts making doctors’ appointments, getting prescription meds, and trying to stay indoors.
Trees in Woodbridge are the most dangerous pollen-producing culprits that can make your allergies thrive even while you are at home.
Here are a few trees that generate allergic pollen in Woodbridge:
- Maple
- Cedar/Juniper
- Birch
- Alder
- Ash
Removing these trees from your property can improve the quality of life and allow you to arrange long-awaited backyard barbecues.
Natural Disasters
Prince William County is at a high-risk area for tornadoes. We face an average of two tornadoes per year. Spinning winds can separate the tree fibers, break off branches, and damage trunks. Both small and big trees become tornado victims and damage properties.
Even if a tree remains standing after a tornado, it may be so damaged that it turns into a hazardous object.
We recommend calling us to inspect your trees after each storm or tornado and making timely decisions about removal.
Does the City of Woodbridge Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
If the tree is growing on your private property, you are fully responsible for removing it. The city takes care of trees that grow in public areas. If branches of your trees are hanging over the public area and seem hazardous to the city, they have a right to trim these branches without damaging the rest of the tree.
If you notice that a tree, which is growing in a public area, appears hazardous to your property, you can notify the city. Contact Environmental Services at 703-792-7070. The city will take care of this tree as soon as possible.
If you notice that a hazardous tree is growing on or near a road, you need to contact the Virginia Department of Transportation at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623). You can also fill out an online form.
It’s imperative to be responsible about trimming trees that don’t grow on your own property. If you aren’t sure how to do it without hurting the tree, we can help.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Woodbridge?
Before removing a tree, you need to make sure that you are responsible for it. In some cases, it’s up to the neighbor to pay for tree removal. Let’s dig deeper into the responsibility issue.
If you are a homeowner?
If you are a homeowner, you are fully responsible for taking care of trees on your property. If the tree falls, you have to pay for removing it if:
- The tree was growing on your property.
- The tree was growing on the neighbor’s property but fell over due to an “Act of God”.
- A damaged, dead, or diseased tree from your property falls over to the neighbors’ property.
The “Act of God” is something that’s beyond your control, like a storm or a tornado.
Generally, you don’t need permission to remove a tree from your property. Lands where permission may be required include Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Areas, wetlands, conservation areas for BMP credit, areas protected by Proffer Conditions, and Buffers between dissimilar uses.
If a tree causes damage to your property, your homeowner’s insurance should cover it. In case your tree causes damages to your neighbor’s property, the neighbor’s homeowners’ insurance should cover it.
If you are a renter?
If you are renting a property, you aren’t responsible for tree removal. In some cases, the landlord may include tree maintenance in the rental agreement. Make sure to read the agreement carefully to understand where your responsibilities lie.
Even if tree maintenance and removal aren’t part of the agreement, you still need to notify the landlord about any tree issues.
If you are a landlord?
If you are a landlord, you are fully responsible for tree removal if:
- The tree was growing on your property.
- The tree was growing on the neighbor’s property but fell over due to an “Act of God”.
- A damaged, dead, or diseased tree from your property falls over to the neighbors’ property.
If you want the tenant to take care of tree problems on the property while you are away, make sure to include it in the contract. Explain to the tenants the importance of notifying you as soon as any problems occur. Leave our tree removal contact numbers to the tenant, so they know whom to call.
If you are a neighbor?
If you are a neighbor, and a tree from a nearby property falls on yours, you are responsible for removing it only if it was an Act of God. In other cases, your neighbor is responsible for removing the tree.
If your neighbor’s tree branches are hanging hazardously over your property, you have the right to trim them only if you can do it without damaging the rest of the tree.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Woodbridge?
The soil in Virginia’s Prince William County is enriched by the complex river system that runs across the state. These rivers, Potomac River included, carry rich soils from one county to another. While some soil suffers from density and acid problems, the rest is highly beneficial for plants. Trees in Woodbridge enjoy nutritious and abundant soil for worry-free growth.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Woodbridge?
While the climate in Northern Virginia is fairly mild, the area is prone to natural disasters like storms and tornadoes. Strong winds don’t just cause weak trees to fall, they hurt stronger trees and cause them to deteriorate over time.
During the winter, temperatures in Woodbridge often fall below 32° F. Below-freezing temperatures can be dangerous to newly emerged trees. That’s why it’s imperative to schedule tree planting for the warm season.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Woodbridge?
If a dead tree on your property is near a power line, it’s your responsibility to remove it. If you notice that a tree, which is growing on public property, touches a power line, notify the electric utility company. Depending on your location, it’s either Dominion Energy or the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC).
Never try to remove or prune a tree that touches power lines without contacting professionals. Our experts are always ready to evaluate the problem and assist with timely tree removal before any damage occurs.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Woodbridge?
The cost of tree removal in Woodbridge, VA varies between $400 and $2,000. For very complex projects, the cost may be higher. The total tree removal bill depends on many factors, including:
Size
The bigger the tree, the more expensive it is to remove. Tell us the approximate height and diameter of the tree in question, and we’ll provide a quote.
Stump
If besides removing a tree, you need to remove the stump as well, the final cost will increase. Depending on the complexity of the removal process, the stump can add $100 to $200 to your bill.
Position
In many cases, a standing tree costs more to remove than a fallen one. Meanwhile, if your tree is located on a slope, near a fence, or close to the house, we’ll need to use special equipment to remove it. This can affect the final cost of the project.
