Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Menomonee Falls?
- 2 Does the City of Menomonee Falls Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Menomonee Falls?
- 4 How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Menomonee Falls?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Menomonee Falls?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Menomonee Falls?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Menomonee Falls?
What Are The Most Common Tree Issues In Menomonee Falls?
Menomonee Falls is a village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, and is considered the fourth-largest community in Waukesha County. The heart of downtown Menomonee Falls or “Where Main & Appleton Meet” is a vibrant destination that has become a walker’s dream with its natural beauty of the Menomonee River Waterfall, the Riverwalk, Mill Pond, Leper Dam, and Lime Kiln Park.
Because vegetation, plants, and trees are such an important part of the village, it is no wonder that residents in Menomonee Falls make it a point to ensure their foliage remains healthy and vibrant. However, before homeowners can take proactive actions to keep their trees safe, they need to first understand some of the more common plant diseases the area has to deal with.
Anthracnose
This disease is from a family of fungi that causes dark and sunken lesions or cankers on stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of shrubs and trees. Anthracnose actually means “ulcer-like sore”, which is why it describes a family of fungal infections because it is based on symptoms instead of a specific fungus. This disease generally infects ash, oak, sycamore, and evergreen elm trees. However, since it typically needs water to spread and infect, it is commonly found in areas like Menomonee Falls instead of regions like the deserts in Arizona. Symptoms of this disease often include infection in the leaves which causes the leaf to die off.
Cedar Apple Rust
This disease is a fungal infection that could harm the apple tree if it is left untreated. The Cedar Apple Rust is a unique disease because it needs two host plants to complete the life cycle, both apple and cedar trees.
Usually, the fungus lives the first part of its two-year life cycle on cedar trees. However, once the infected cedars release contaminated spores into the air, they travel to apple trees’ leaves or buds, which means that the second part of the fungi’s life will be spent on apple trees.
Downy Mildew
Downy mildew (or white mold) is often first noticed by the yellow spots on the leaves concentrated by the veins. As the leaves get to their full size in the spring, the downy mildew will reveal itself as a white powdery patch on the leave’s underside. These lesions will appear on the leaves and then cause the leaves to dry out and turn brown.
Does the City of Menomonee Falls Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Menomonee Falls provides help with overgrown village trees. However, the village will not be involved in neighbor-to-neighbor tree issues, but rather issues that deal with parks, village land, conservancy land, and other village-owned properties adjacent to homeowners.
Menomonee Falls recognizes that a properly maintained urban forest provides numerous benefits to its citizens and increases their quality of life. That is why the village has contracted with Wachtel Tree Science to do a tree inventory analysis and develop an urban forest management plan designed to increase these benefits to the community.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Menomonee Falls?
Typically, in Menomonee Falls, the property owner maintains their flowers, plants, and private trees. Yet, if a property owner’s tree falls, determining who is responsible for the costs associated with removing the tree is not as apparent as many expect it to be. In fact, it will often depend on the circumstances of the situation.
If you’re a homeowner?
In Wisconsin, the property laws indicate that if a tree falls because of a natural cause, such as strong winds or an intense storm, the property owner of the place where the tree has fallen will be responsible for taking care of the fallen tree. Yet, it is essential to note that the laws in Wisconsin also indicate that property owners need to take care of their trees and prevent them from damaging their neighbor’s yards.
This means that if a property owner notices signs of weakness, disease, or instability, they need to call us to make corrections within a reasonable period of time. Otherwise, if the tree falls, they can be held liable for the costs associated with the fallen tree.
If you’re a renter?
Usually, landlords and renters will enter into an agreement before a renter moves into the rental property. This property agreement will discuss their unique roles and how they will care for their rental property. If an issue arises that is not mentioned in the contract, the landlord will often be on the hook for making necessary repairs, while the renter will be in charge of maintaining or cleaning the property. As a result, if a tree falls, it will likely be outside the renter’s responsibility, and instead, it will become the landlord’s issue.
If you’re a landlord?
As discussed previously, the landlord is generally responsible for a fallen tree unless the property agreement contract states otherwise. Consequently, if a tree falls, the landlord will be accountable for the costs associated with removing the fallen tree.
If you’re a neighbor?
In Wisconsin, if a tree falls onto a neighbor’s yard because of natural causes, then the neighbor will be responsible for taking care of the damages and will need to contact their own property insurance to get reimbursed for the losses and expenses that stem from the incident. However, if a property owner knew about the tree’s dangerous condition before it fell but did nothing to fix the problem, then if the tree fell onto the neighbor’s property, they can be held responsible for the damages that resulted and the costs related to the tree’s removal.
How Does The Soil Affect Trees In Menomonee Falls?
The official state soil of Wisconsin is Antigo Silt Loam, which is well-drained soil and formed under northern hardwood forests in loamy and loess sediments over-stratified sandy outwash.
The Antigo Silt Loam is very productive soil for small grain, corn, and hay farming. However, it is also great for the native vegetation of the region, which includes sugar maple, yellow birch, American basswood, white ash, big-tooth aspen, black cherry, and quaking aspen. This is because these loam soils contain the perfect combination of clay, silt, and sand particles that support the growth of virtually all forms of plant life.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Menomonee Falls?
In Menomonee Falls, the summers are often warm, the winters are usually dry, freezing, and windy, and the cloudiness lasts all year long. Over the course of the year, the temperature can range anywhere from 14°F to 82°F. However, they will rarely get below -5°F or above 90°F.
As a result, gardeners in Menomonee Falls are used to this diverse climate and understand that the fall is considered the best time of the year to plant new trees in the area, including late August, September, and October. But they also know that certain varieties of trees fare best in this up and down climate. These trees include:
- Ash Trees
- Big-Toothed
- Quaking Aspen
- Basswood
- Maple Trees
- Willow Trees
- Northern White Cedar
- Eastern Red Cedar
- Beech Trees
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Menomonee Falls?
Trees that are too close to power lines in Menomonee Falls can interfere with electric services, especially when the weather brings with it high winds, ice, or lighting. That is why in order to make sure the area stays in compliance with the National Electric Safety Code, We Energies makes sure to remove or prune trees that threaten electric services.
Typically, the company anticipates the threat and proactively schedules trimming on a six to eight-year cycle. However, if you are concerned about any of your trees making contact with power lines, you need to contact We Energies at 800-242-9137 and have a forester visit the property to evaluate the situation. If the company decides to take care of the tree, you can rest assured that:
- You do not incur any charges for tree trimming work that is required
- The crews will only perform work needed to maintain reliable electric services
- Work will be done to minimize disruptions
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Menomonee Falls?
In Menomonee Falls, there are various factors that will affect the cost of removing a tree, including the equipment needed, the area surrounding the tree, and the size of the tree that needs to be removed. Most removal projects we complete in the area total between $300 and $2,000. However, before you spend thousands of dollars on a tree removal project, it is in your best interest to learn more about these different cost factors. By doing so, you can be better prepared to cover the costs of the job.
The Size of the Tree
Usually, the tree size will play the most critical factor when determining tree removal costs. For example, small trees in the area may only cost a few hundred dollars to remove, while giant trees can cost upwards of a thousand dollars.
The Surrounding Area
Another essential factor you need to consider is the terrain that the tree is located on and the accessibility of the tree. For instance, if the tree:
- Is located on a slope
- Is situated on a small lot, where it will be difficult to access the tree
- Is located behind a garden or a fence
It can result in several issues for our tree removal specialists, and as a result, it can increase the final cost of the tree removal project.
The Tree’s Health
If a tree is dying, dead, diseased, or at risk of falling over, our arborists may need special equipment and safety precautions to ensure that injury is prevented when we remove the tree. As a consequence, if special care is required, then the overall cost of the job can significantly increase.