Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Fond du Lac?
- 2 Does The City of Fond du Lac Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Fond du Lac?
- 4 How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Fond du Lac?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Fond du Lac?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines In Fond du Lac?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Fond du Lac?
What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Fond du Lac?
Fond du Lac, the city name says it all. It is the city that is at the “farthest end of the lake”, appropriately named as such by the French. The lake is Lake Winnebago, also named for the Winnebago Indians who once called it home.
Currently, it is home to the Mercury Marine boat motor company and the Mercury Marine National Walleye Fishing Tournament, proving that for all the big city feel, it is still very much a city that is based around the lake. From dams to the Fond du Lac River, big buildings, and tall trees, there is much to see in this area of Wisconsin.
How do the nearly 43,000 residents keep up with all the nature? It isn’t easy! There are several common tree concerns and no one is immune to them.
By far, the biggest threat to trees in Fond du Lac is the Emerald Ash Borer. This insect can kill trees and mostly attacks small branches in the upper canopy of the tree. If you begin to notice that woodpeckers are more common around your home than they used to be, you need to have your tree checked by our professionals to ensure it isn’t this devastating insect.
Beyond the threat of Emerald Ash Borers, you will discover:
- Oak Wilt Disease
- Heterobasidion Root Disease
- Gypsy Moths
- Dutch Elm Disease
- Jumping Worms
- Longhorned Beetles
- Bark Beetles
- And More
There are concerns regarding invasive species of plants that could throw off our ecosystems. Residents are urged to report plants that they are unfamiliar with and take photographs of them. If it turns out to be uncommon species, the city of Fond du Lac may ask that you remove all that you can of it to prevent the spread and keep Wisconsin healthy.
Does The City of Fond du Lac Provide Any Assistance In Tree Removal Problems?
In Fond du Lac, you will not find a designated tree removal program at this time, though in 2019, the city did take bids to remove ash trees. Despite not having a program available today, you may still be able to get help if needed, thanks to the city’s emphasis on keeping the Emerald Ash Borer away from the city’s trees. There is no guarantee, but in some situations, you may be able to get help with tree removal because of these borers.
We would recommend that you consider contacting the Wisconsin Forestry Department if you need assistance. They may be able to tell you who to contact for help to get control of your property.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal In Fond du Lac?
It isn’t always easy to know who is responsible for a fallen tree. However, Fond du Lac has clear laws, within reason, as to accountability.
If you’re a homeowner?
Some trees are considered a nuisance or endangering to the life, health, and safety of others. If you have on your property a dead tree or elms, oaks, or ash trees that are infected, it could lead to you being accountable for its removal and damages if you knew it was sick, and you allowed it to remain standing. This is to encourage people who live in the area to take care of the trees they have and remove the ones that are dead or dying.
If a tree falls simply because of a severe weather situation, you should not be held accountable for property damages beyond your own. Your neighbor or the city will be responsible for the damages done to their land and your homeowner’s insurance will have to pay to clean up your home and repair your damages.
If you’re a renter?
As a renter, you have the right to live in a safe home as long as you pay your rent and do not cause issues for your landlord. To extend this idea even further, you must:
- Pay rent on time
- Take care of the property
- Keep the property clean of garbage
- Allow the landlord to inspect the property with advanced notice
In no way are you ever supposed to do anything to alter the property permanently. This would extend to tree removals by cutting down or hiring an arborist to remove it after it falls. The obligation for it falls on the property owner.
If you’re a landlord?
Landlords have a responsibility for their property, even if they are not living there at the time, and this includes keeping it repaired and safe for tenants. Therefore, if there is a tree on the property that your tenant is worried about or the county has suggested removing, it is your responsibility to do it. Otherwise, you could be subjecting yourself to other issues, including payment for damages done or injuries suffered.
If the tree falls due to natural causes, you will need to take responsibility for the damages to your property. This does extend to repairing the tenant’s living area in a timely manner.
If you’re a neighbor?
The City of Fond du Lac is quite clear when it comes to responsibility for trees between neighbors. You can and should clean up any area of a tree that is on your property. You should never enter your neighbor’s property to touch a tree that is mostly on their land. Doing so could open you up to issues.
We suggest that if (at all) possible, attempt to work out something with your neighbor regarding their tree.
How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Fond du Lac?
Soil plays a huge role in Wisconsin, where farming is very important. The official state soil type for Wisconsin is Antigo Silt Loam. This soil was formed thousands of years ago and is a mixture of gravel and sand. Today, you will find it mostly in the subsoil covered by silt and clay. Other soil types that you will find in Fond du Lac are:
- Silty Clay Loam
- Shaly Subsoil
- Silt Loam
- Loamy Subsoils
- Clayey Subsoils
- Sandy Loam
- Gravely Substratum
There are numerous soil types in each area of Fond du Lac. Overall, they are well-draining soils that are ideal for gardening and landscaping.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health In Fond du Lac?
On average, the temperature range in Fond du Lac is around 20 degrees in winter and 60 degrees during the summer. Each year, there are approximately 120 days that will be less than 32 degrees, making it ideal for winter lovers.
Precipitation averages around 34 inches, and it will fall throughout the year without any real “dry” season. However, February is drier than most months, with only around 1.6 inches of precipitation.
Trees in the area grow well provided you stick with the ones that can handle long, cold winters. The biggest threat to trees from the weather is the risk of heavy thunderstorms with high winds, blizzard conditions, hail, and severe winter storms. There is also a risk of tornados.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines In Fond du Lac?
You are not allowed to remove any trees or limbs from public property in Fond du Lac. Therefore, you need to know who to call if you happen to have a tree that is dead and near your power lines, or close to power lines in the city.
If your local power company is Alliant, you will want to contact them in the event of an emergency. This may include dangerous trees or downed power lines. In a non-emergency, you will want to contact the city for a service request.
Every situation is different when dealing with power lines. If you feel that you or others are in extreme danger, you have the option to call 911 for fast assistance. They can block off the area to protect neighbors, kids, and pets.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Fond du Lac?
Tree removal costs in Fond du Lac are difficult to predict. However, most homeowners should expect to spend between $200 and $2,000. A good average is right around $600 for most basic tree removals.
Your estimated cost could be more or less depending on the tree you want removed. This is because several factors must be considered before an accurate price quote can be reached.
Size
Smaller trees will cost less to remove than larger trees. Height makes a difference because gravity will bring it down in sometimes unpredictable ways once the final cut is made. To counter this, special equipment may be needed to ensure it falls in a way that does not damage personal property or risk safety.
Labor
With every tree removal, there will be a cost for labor. The more people needed to be on the job, the more the labor cost will increase. The more equipment we need to bring for safe removal, the higher your cost will be. If you have a tree removal that requires emergency assistance on weekends or holidays, this will have to be considered as well.
Other Considerations
This is perhaps the biggest factor and will have the most impact on your out-of-pocket price for tree removal. If you have a diseased or dead tree, the price for its removal will likely be higher. Dead trees are often unstable and require more equipment to bring down safely. A tree that is near a structure, power lines, or other properties will require more care when we are removing it. All of these things can increase the cost.
