Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Anacortes?
- 2 Does the City of Anacortes Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Anacortes?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Anacortes?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Anacortes?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Anacortes?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Anacortes?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Anacortes?
If you’re one of the homeowners in Anacortes, your yard is probably filled with mature native and non-native trees. The Pacific Northwest is known for its natural beauty and towering trees. Our team sees a variety of trees in the area, including:
- Red Alder
- Sitka Spruce
- Pacific Yew
- Ponderosa Pine
- Western Hemlock
- Douglas Fir
- Western Red Cedar
These trees provide shade for your home and add character to your outdoor space. However, there are times when something happens, and a tree needs to be removed. Here are a few of the most common tree issues that we see in Anacortes:
Damage from a Hard Freeze
For the most part, Anacortes sees moderate winter temperatures, but there’s almost always a week of below-freezing temperatures. If the ground gets cold enough, you see a hard freeze. This can freeze the moisture and nutrients in the soil, depriving your trees of their nourishment.
Evergreen trees are fine after a hard freeze; they’re built for these colder temperatures. However, not all the trees in your yard will do as well. Young trees and saplings might not survive a brutal cold snap.
In the spring, your trees should begin to grow again. If one doesn’t start to grow again, it needs to be evaluated by our arborists. You might have a tree that appears to begin growing again only to die in a few months.
When this happens, a part of the tree was damaged in the hard freeze. Since the entire tree wasn’t getting the nourishment it needed, the entire tree began to suffer.
Drought
Anacortes sees less rain each year than the national average, although it does see it on a few more days than the rest of the country. Trees need water and nutrients to continue growing. If they go too long without water, they might begin to wither and die.
When there’s an extended period of time without any significant rainfall, you might need to water your trees to ensure they don’t suffer any ill effects. It’s always a good idea to check the current water restrictions in the area because the Birch Bay Area has a few days a week when you can’t water your yard.
If it seems like one of your trees is doing poorly in the heat and dry conditions and watering doesn’t help, our team can evaluate the tree and help you decide what the next steps are.
Pest Infestation
From insects to rodents, a pest infestation can destroy one of the trees in your Anacortes yard. These critters either want to live in your tree or eat it. You don’t want them to do either. Some of the most common pests that we see in the area include:
- Asian Citrus Psyllid
- Asian Gypsy Moth
- Asian Longhorned Beetle
- Emerald Ash Borer Beetle
- European Cherry Fruit Fly
- European Gypsy Moth
- Spotted Lanternfly
Unfortunately, when pests infest an area, they don’t always stick to a single tree. You might have an infestation in multiple trees. You can treat the infestation and possibly save the tree when you catch it early. Here are some signs that you might have an infestation:
- Critters crawling on your tree or flying around a certain area of your yard.
- Leaves and limbs grow smaller than normal.
- Weak areas between the tree limbs and trunk.
- Leaves that appear misshapen or discolored.
- Holes missing in the leaves.
- Channels and holes in the tree.
- Patches of bark missing from the tree trunk.
- Suddenly stops growing or producing new limbs or leaves.
When you notice an infestation, our team can make an evaluation and determine if treatment is a viable option.
Does the City of Anacortes Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
While the city of Anacortes takes care of trimming the trees and removing them on public land, it won’t remove trees from private property unless it’s on an area of an easement. If you’re the homeowner, and the tree is in your yard, it’s almost always your job to remove it. This includes finding a service to do it and paying for the service.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Anacortes?
In Anacortes, the city takes trees seriously, and it cares for any trees that fall on public land. This includes an area of an easement on your property. However, most of the time, it’s the responsibility of the homeowner to have the tree removed. If you think the tree is on an easement, you can call the city and check before taking steps to have it removed.
If you’re a homeowner?
As an Anacortes homeowner, you’re responsible for everything that happens on your private property. This includes removing a fallen tree. The city or a local utility company might have an easement on your land. This is a small area around the front of your yard, where they run cables or pipes. If a tree falls in this area, call the city or utility company for its removal.
If you’re a renter?
When you rent a home in Anacortes, you probably take care of the yard work. This was a clause written into your rental contract. However, taking care of the yard work doesn’t include things such as removing trees. When you see a tree that’s damaged, you do need to let the homeowner know immediately, so they can take care of it.
If you’re a landlord?
The landlord is also the homeowner, so they have the same responsibilities. You might have your tenant handle the lawn maintenance, but you can’t hold them responsible for removing a fallen tree from the property. It’s up to you to call us to arrange to have it removed.
If you’re a neighbor?
Given the grandeur of the trees in the area, it isn’t unusual to see a fallen tree in more than a single yard. When your neighbor’s tree falls into yours, it’s the responsibility of the neighbor to have it removed. The reverse is true, too. You might consider talking to your neighbor when this happens to remain on friendly terms.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Anacortes?
We most commonly see Tokul soil in the Anacortes area. This is actually the state soil of Washington. It’s unique due to its volcanic ash particles in the soil. Tokul soil is a loamy soil type, which means it soaks up water quickly but doesn’t drain the moisture as effectively. This soil can be an advantage for your trees during a dry spell as it’ll keep the moisture longer than other types of soil.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Anacortes?
The Anacortes area sees less than the average rainfall each year, which makes it more likely that the trees in your yard might see drought conditions. This can leave your trees suffering from malnourishment. Also, the Pacific Northwest sees some violent storms that might damage your trees due to wind and lightning strikes.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Anacortes?
When you see a dead tree lying on a power line, call emergency services. This can create a dangerous situation until power to the line is cut. Sometimes, a dead tree near a power line grows on an easement in your yard that’s owned by the local utility company. If that’s the case, contact the power company to have them remove it. Otherwise, it’s up to the homeowner to contact us to remove the tree.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Anacortes?
We hear this question most often from homeowners. The cost of removing a tree in the area ranges between $265 and $2,165 with an average cost of around $665. There are some factors that determine your final cost.
On the positive side, the city of Anacortes doesn’t require a permit to remove a tree on private property. However, there are other factors that might affect your bill, such as:
Location of the Tree
When a tree sits close to a home or in a tight group of other trees, our team takes more time and additional precautions to ensure there isn’t any damage as we cut down the tree. This might include extra team members and safety equipment.
Size of the Tree
It’s no secret that the Pacific Northwest is home to some gigantic trees. These behemoths require additional time and safety equipment to remove. Our team climbs the tree and removes it in sections to ensure there isn’t any damage to your home or property.
Additional Services
Some Anacortes homeowners request additional services when we remove a tree. The most common requests are removing the tree stump and placing the tree in a wood chipper. Then, they use the wood chips as mulch around their yard. Mulch is a great way to increase nutrients to your trees and other greenery.
