AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Waukesha, WI

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Waukesha?

Wisconsin has several trees located throughout the state, some of which are in forested areas near Milwaukee, or even in your own backyard. While these majestic trees add plenty of shade on hot summer days, some are highly susceptible to diseases or other ailments. Let’s look at some of the more common issues Waukesha residents might see with their trees. 

Ash Borer Beetle Infestation

One of the most common problems residents of Waukesha find is a disease that comes from an insect common in the South Eastern part of WI. The Emerald Ash Borer originates from China and is thought to have migrated to the United States from the wood of shipping crates. Here, in Wisconsin, the beetle attacks all varieties of Ash trees by eating tissues found underneath the bark. 

To determine whether your tree has an infestation, look for a few different signs. One is seeing the beetle yourself. An adult Ash Borer is metallic green and is approximately ½ inch long and around 1/16 inch wide. You may also come across the larvae of this beetle, which are cream-colored and have pincer-like appendages. 

Oak Wilt 

This is a fungal infection that affects both red and white oak trees. The red oaks are more vulnerable than the white ones, though. As spring rolls around, the oak wilt disease will become active and once a tree gets infected, it will spread to the rest of the tree, like wildfire, killing it within just a few weeks. 

Signs of oak wilt include rapid wilting starting at the top of the oak tree. It will also lose some of its leaves. If the tree dies, it’s important to call us to remove it safely as spore mats will begin rupturing the bark. This will attract sap-feeding insects to the sweet-smelling spores, which can spread to healthy trees by way of the root system. 

Needle Cast Fungus

Rhizosphaera Needle Cast is a fungal disease common with our Colorado Blue Spruce and pines. They’re recognized by the browning, black spotting, and bare patches developing on the branches. When the leaves and needles fall, they create spores that can then travel through the air and infect other trees. 

You could save the tree with a fungal spray early on, but if the disease remains, it will kill the tree and become a threat to other healthy trees nearby. It’s important to call us to remove it properly when it dies off, so you’re not putting other trees at risk. 

Does the City of Waukesha Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?

The City of Waukesha is responsible for trees that are in the park areas, and the ones that line its city streets. They take care of any maintenance they need, including trimming branches away from power lines and removing trees that have died and become a threat to the health of the other trees near them. 

They will not help you remove trees on your own personal property, though. You are responsible for taking care of them and paying for the cost of removing a dead or diseased tree. However, it’s important to note that in certain circumstances you will need a permit to cut a tree or remove vegetation. These are for lands that are located approximately 1,000 feet from a lake or pond or 300 feet from any other body of water that happens to be navigable.

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Waukesha?

This depends on the location of the tree and any circumstances surrounding its fallen state. If the tree is on city property, the city will handle the situation and will cover the costs of removing it. But, there are other situations where the answer might not be cut and dried. Let’s look at who might be responsible in the following examples. 

If you’re a homeowner?

Homeowners are responsible for removing any fallen trees that are on their property. Contact your homeowner’s insurance agent for instructions on how to proceed with a claim. In the event that a storm hits and a tree falls onto a live power line, the electric utility company must handle the situation as it becomes a safety issue at that point. They will usually handle it at no charge to the owner of the home. You will, however, be responsible for cleaning up what they don’t take care of. 

If you’re a renter?

If you rent a property and a tree falls on the lot, the homeowner will be the one responsible for removing the tree and incurring the costs that come from it, using their rental insurance policy. However, it’s important to note that the damage would be for the property and not for your personal items like your vehicle. If the tree falls on your car, you would have to contact your auto insurance agent to see if the damage is covered on your policy. 

On the other hand, if the tree fell and hit your vehicle and you know it was because the landlord neglected to do anything about the diseased tree, there may be a claim for you there. If your insurance feels the landlord is responsible for payment, they will decide whether to pursue reimbursement from them. 

If you’re a landlord?

If you own a property and rent it out, you would need to have rental insurance to cover incidents such as trees falling on the property. If the tree damages the home or other building, you’re responsible for taking care of it, but most likely the rental insurance would cover the costs of the building and removal of the tree. Check with the agent or your policy to see what steps you need to take. 

If you’re a neighbor?

If your neighbor’s tree falls in your yard, the situation may not be as easy as you think. If the tree lands in your yard, it usually becomes your responsibility. Contact your homeowner’s insurance to see if they would cover the cost of removal. In many cases, they will, if it’s an unforeseen incident like a storm blowing it over. If the tree damages your house, the agent will walk you through what you need to do to resolve the situation. 

If it’s your tree that falls into your neighbor’s yard, they would be the ones to take responsibility, even if it damages a building or item in their yard. Their insurance company would assess the damage, and more than likely cover it. Most homeowner’s policies, in those cases, will accept the claim, provided all the requirements are met. 

However, if the tree fell because it was diseased and you didn’t do anything about it, or if you tried to cut it down and something went wrong, the neighbor is still responsible for taking care of the issue. Their insurance will probably cover any damages that occurred because of it, but be aware the insurance company may go to you for reimbursement of the costs. 

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Waukesha?

The DNR of Wisconsin map puts Waukesha County in the forested, silty soil region in the southeastern part of the state. This area combines sand, gravel, silt, and clay soils offering prime nutrients to agriculture and tree life. However, some areas tend to drain water slowly, which could affect the roots of the tree. 

Winter weather can also cause issues for trees that are too sensitive to the cold temperatures of the season. Frozen grounds won’t allow the roots to take in water when it needs it to replace the moisture lost from the foliage. Winter burn sets in for some varieties of trees, which is indicative of the discoloration you see when spring comes around. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Waukesha?

Wisconsin is known for its freezing temperatures and blizzards in the wintertime. While most trees in the area prepare to withstand the cold wintry days, snow, ice, and high winds can damage trees, sometimes harming them for good. If the storm is fierce with 50-60 mph winds, some trees could get knocked over, pulling the roots right out of the ground. 

Ice and snow that accumulate on the tree, tend to be too heavy for the branches to hold. The tree will start drooping due to the weight. If the snow and ice melt off quickly, you’re not likely to have too much damage, but that’s not always the case. On occasion the weight stays on the tree, causing many of the branches to break off and fall. Where the limb breaks off, is an open area inviting harmful contaminants to damage the tree. 

Trees generally thrive in the spring and summer months, but they’re not immune to lightning storms. Lightning strikes to trees are not very common, but when they do happen, they tend to rip it open or send one or more of its limbs to the ground after one jolting strike.

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Waukesha?

Dead trees should be removed as soon as possible to prevent other trees in the area from catching the same disease. However, if the tree is close to a power line in Waukesha, you’ll need to take a few extra steps to ensure its safe removal. The last thing you want to do is try to cut down a tree and have it hit the power line. 

The first thing that you need to do is contact the electric company to let them know what you’re about to do. They’ll determine whether the power line needs to be disconnected briefly while the tree is taken care of. In that case, they’ll probably send someone out to turn off the electricity and turn it back on when the job is done. Contact a professional, like us, to ensure the job is done safely. 

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Waukesha?

Prices can vary depending on the scope of the project. To give you an idea of what you might have to pay, whole tree removal can run you around $200 to $600 for basic jobs in Waukesha or up to around $2,000 for more extensive removals. For tree trimming services, you could expect to pay approximately $100 to $400. Stump removal can also run about the same price as the tree trimming service does. There are, however, different factors that go into pricing these jobs. Let’s look at a few. 

The Size of the Tree

One area that affects the cost is the size of the tree or limb that you want to be cut down. The larger they are, the more work that’s usually involved. The smaller they are, the easier the task is, usually. Of course, if you have several trees that need trimming, discounts can sometimes be worked out, because the equipment is already there and there’s plenty to keep our trimmers busy. 

The Location of the Tree

Another factor that could drive the cost of tree removal up is its location. While a tree in an open field is not likely to cause issues, one that’s next to a building would require more strategic planning to get it down without damaging anything. Extra precautions would need to be taken to complete the job.

Timing of the Job

When storms occur, trees take a beating and sometimes they fall over onto your home or garage. Time is of the essence to get the tree off the home, so you can get your house repaired. Storms, however, don’t wait for the most opportune time. It’s not uncommon to have this happen during the off-hours or on holidays.

In the end, hiring professionals, like us, to handle the tree removal would ensure the job is taken care of safely, and without much fuss.