Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Oak Harbor?
- 2 Does the City of Oak Harbor Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Oak Harbor?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Oak Harbor?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Oak Harbor?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Oak Harbor?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Oak Harbor?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Oak Harbor?
While our trees are seemingly taller, denser, and much more covered in moss than trees in other regions, there are two significant similarities between our trees and those in other states. They need proper tree services like pruning and removal to be healthy, and they’re just as susceptible to disease and pest infestations. One of the most common diseases affecting our trees in Oak Harbor is the annosus root disease. It is caused by several species of fungi and is considered one of the most destructive diseases of conifers in the Pacific Northwest Region.
Annosus root disease typically enters the tree through a wound, grows through the heartwood into the roots, and causes decay in the root system. It’s known to infect and kill red, white, and jack pines, white and Norway spruces, balsam fir, and red cedar. Diseased trees have reduced height, shoot, and diameter growth, and thin foliage and symptoms progress over several years, resulting in mortality.
Anthracnose is another common fungal disease in Oak Harbor. This fungal disease affects popular ornamental shade trees by infecting them and attacking the leaf system. It mainly affects Dogwood, London Plane, American Sycamore, Ash, Maple, Walnut, and Oak trees. Some of the most common symptoms of this fungal disease are early leaf drop, spotting leaves, and curling leaves. Keep an eye on your shade trees when winter weather starts to move in, and wind and heavy cold rains occur, as this bolsters the disease’s strength.
Other common diseases include:
- Powdery mildew
- Canker diseases
- Crown gall
- Brown rot
- Coryneum blight
Does the City of Oak Harbor Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?
The City of Oak Harbor is committed to tree preservation and, as such, has ordinances regulating tree removal. A tree that’s diseased, physically deteriorated, potentially hazardous, damaged, or subject to windthrow can be removed but shall be replaced at a one-to-one ratio. The city is responsible for maintaining and removing trees in public areas such as streets and parks. Throughout the year, city crews clear fallen trees and branches during and following inclement weather, such as windstorms. However, tree removal on private property is the homeowner’s or property owner’s responsibility.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Oak Harbor?
Sometimes it takes just one good storm to topple what was once a sturdy tree in your yard. When this happens, you may be wondering who’s responsible for its removal. To avoid being stuck with removing the fallen tree or being liable for the damage, it’s crucial to know how to define responsibility for fallen trees.
If you’re a homeowner?
As a homeowner in Oak Harbor, you’re considered responsible for removing a fallen tree on your property even if the tree doesn’t belong to you. If a tree falls onto your property and damages any part of the structure, then the costs will be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy. However, keep in mind that damages will only be covered if the tree was cared for properly and in good health. If the fallen tree was diseased or dying before it fell, your insurance claim might be denied due to neglect.
If you’re a renter?
A rental property includes more than just the housing structure – all the landscaping, including shrubs, trees, and other features, are included in the property. As a renter, you sign a lease agreement that outlines the expectations and conditions for living in the property while paying rent. Most leases don’t allow tenants to make significant changes anywhere on the property, including the trees. So unless explicitly stated in the lease, a renter isn’t responsible for removing a fallen tree. This responsibility belongs to the property owner or housing association.
If you’re a landlord?
Outlining who is responsible for landscape maintenance may or may not be in your lease agreement with your resident. Often, landlords feel it’s a given that residents should take care of the landscaping when renting a home. But since you own the rental property, you also own the trees and are therefore responsible for their maintenance and removal. If the tree did fall because of a natural occurrence, your policy would likely cover any damage the tree caused unless it doesn’t cover “acts of God.”
If you’re a neighbor?
If your tree falls onto your neighbor’s property in Oak Harbor, you’re not responsible for its removal or the damage caused. You’re typically only considered responsible if neglect on your part was a contributing factor to the tree’s demise. This means you may be held liable if the tree was visibly diseased and leaning precariously toward your neighbor’s property, or you knew that the tree was hazardous. But if the tree appears to be healthy, wasn’t leaning toward your neighbor’s property, and the tree falls because of a hurricane or a storm, you won’t be liable for any damage the fallen tree causes as well as its removal.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Oak Harbor?
Trees need good soil to grow and thrive. The soils of Oak Harbor originated primarily from glacial drift and developed under the influence of a moist marine climate. The glacial drift that is the parent material of most soils varies considerably in texture, permeability, and consistency. It consists of sand, gravel, and some clay and has a high content of organic matter, an adequate supply of moisture, and comparatively high fertility, making it ideal for several tree species.
To optimize your soil and improve tree health, get a soil analysis done by your local extension office. This way, you can find out information about your soil’s pH levels and composition, so you can make any necessary changes to improve tree growth. You should also make sure your tree has a proper drainage system. If the tree’s roots are waterlogged, then its health may be damaged. You can prevent this by eliminating compaction and mixing different soil material types to increase soil health. Mulching is an excellent way to improve soil drainage while adding nutrients to your soil.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Oak Harbor?
Even minor weather changes can significantly stress trees. Weather affects many aspects of tree health, including a tree’s ability to ward off diseases and pests. Though the weather in Oak Harbor is temperate – the summers are cool and dry, and the winters are mild and moist, it still has a considerable impact on tree health.
The hot and dry summer weeks can severely stress our trees, resulting in leaf scorch, stunted growth, wilting, branch dieback, and even death. That’s because the tree precipitation and soil moisture levels are low in summer, so the tree must conserve energy and resources to survive. Unfortunately, this leaves the tree vulnerable to diseases. In addition, the harsh winter months aren’t kind to your trees. Branches can be broken in storms, creating wounds and entry points for pathogens, snow and ice weigh down branches, causing them to break, and the dry air makes it difficult for trees to retain water.
To help your trees overcome the adverse effects of weather, consider planting hardy and native tree species that adapt best to our weather. These include the western hemlock, red alder, Douglas fir, Garry oak, western red cedar, and ponderosa pine. Watering and adding organic matter to your soil will also go a long way in ensuring your trees have all the water and nutrients they need to thrive.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Oak Harbor?
Historically, fallen trees and tree limbs have been the leading cause of power outages in Oak Harbor. Dead trees are a lot less stable and highly unpredictable, so even a minor storm can cause them to fall on the power lines. This will not only cause power outages in your neighborhood, but the dead tree can also act as fire fodder. Power utility companies often perform vegetation management, including pruning and tree removal, to keep the public safe and the lights on. However, most power companies view the trimming and removal of trees around the power line that connects a person’s home to the utility pole as the homeowner’s responsibility.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Oak Harbor?
Trees are a beautiful part of the landscape. But as every homeowner knows, trees don’t always age gracefully, and at some point, they’re going to die and will have to be removed. While it’s true that tree removal isn’t cheap, it’s often less expensive than the damage a tree could cause to your home, power lines, and property appearance. The average cost of tree removal in Oak Harbor is $662, but your total can fall anywhere between $100 and $3,000. The final cost of your tree removal project will vary depending on several factors, including:
Tree Size
Your tree’s size will have the most significant impact on your overall cost; the taller or wider the tree, the more work is involved in removing it. A large, tall tree with large branches takes longer for our experts to climb and cut down than a small tree. Removing a large tree also poses more risks and requires that we bring in special equipment for climbing, further adding to the cost. Thick trunks may need to be sectioned first then removed — this will require a bigger crew, add even more time, and create more green waste to chip or haul away. Here is the average cost of tree removal in Oak Harbor, based on tree size:
- Small tree (up to 30 feet high) – $100 to $500
- Medium tree (from 30 to 60 feet high) – $200 to $1200
- Larger trees (from 60 to 100 feet high) – $400 to $2000
- Extremely large (over 80 feet tall) – up to $3000
Location
This is a massive factor in your tree removal cost. For example, imagine you had two identical trees; one of them was in your front yard, which was easily accessible by heavy machinery and the other tree of the exact size and shape is in your backyard with poor access. The tree in your front yard will most likely cost you half the price of the tree in your backyard. That’s because removing an inaccessible tree requires significant preparation and specialized equipment and removal strategies to ensure the tree is removed safely and the surrounding structures don’t get damaged.
Additional Services Needed
Apart from tree removal, you may need additional services such as chopping the trunk into manageable sections for firewood, branch chipping, and stump removal. These services, however, come at an extra cost. For example, stump grinding in Oak Harbor can cost you $80 for a small stump and up to $300 for a large one. Branch chipping may cost you $70 to $150 per hour.
