AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Montrose, CO

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Montrose?

Sitting at an elevation of 5,794 feet, Montrose is a community of breathtaking beauty. To the east, the picturesque sceneries of the Black Canyon National Park dominate the landscape, while to the south, the majestic San Juan Mountains are a sight to behold. Given this topography, there is a wide variety of trees growing in and around the city.

Some common tree species include bristlecone pine, Douglas-fir, narrow-leaf cottonwood, Colorado blue spruce, limber pine, lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce, and quaking aspen. Like other plants, trees in Montrose battle pests and diseases that often lead to massive damage that necessitates removal. Some of the common pests and disease killing trees in the city include:

• Dwarf mistletoes: Dwarf mistletoes infestation is a common tree problem in the City of Montrose, affecting ponderosa and lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, pinon, and limber pine. Dwarf mistletoes are parasitic flowering plants that grow into the bark and phloem of a host tree. The parasite develops root-like structures referred to as “sinkers.” These sinkers become embedded deep in the wood as twigs grow. Dwarf mistletoes kill trees slowly by robbing the trees of food and water.
  
• Mountain pine beetle (MPB): Mountain pine beetles attack several trees in Colorado, including ponderosa, lodgepole, Scotch, and limber pine. These parasites focus more on trees under stress from injury, fire damage, poor site conditions, root disease, overcrowding, or old age. They damage tree barks and leaves to deny them adequate water and nutrients.
  
• Emerald ash borer (EAB): The EAB is solely responsible for the death or decline of tens of thousands of ash trees in Colorado. The larvae reside under the trees and make infestation quite challenging to detect. It is not uncommon for ash trees to be infested for up to four years before the signs start showing.
  
• Armillaria root disease: This root disease can infect several deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs in the city. Trees infected by the disease have decayed roots and trunks. Armillaria root rot causes poor growth, yellow to brown foliage, and the eventual death of the tree. These trees often break or fall over in a storm to necessitate emergency removal.

These are by far some of the significant issues affecting trees in the City of Montrose. Other notable issues that kill trees in the city include extreme temperatures, famine, storms, lightning, and fires. If you notice any signs of pest and disease infestation or death due to other elements, contact Tree Triage as soon as possible. Our expert arborists are equipped with the latest tools and have years of experience in diagnosing myriads of tree problems and removing any tree before it becomes a nightmare. For us, no tree removal is too big or too complicated.

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

With a population of 19,782 as of 2019, the City of Montrose’s mission is to provide the citizens and business community with effective municipal services while maintaining a sense of community values. The city has established robust tree ordinances that guide the planting, pruning, removal, preservation, and protection of city-owned/maintained trees and those planted on private properties. According to the City of Montrose’s tree ordinances, it is the responsibility of the property owner to remove a fallen, infested, or diseased tree from their property. Section 3-4-2/3 of the guidelines provides the following general provisions when it comes to tree removal:

• All tree care work shall be conducted in a safe, skillful manner, with minimum interference to vehicular traffic, pedestrians, or the use of public or private property.
  
• When removing trees, warning devices and signs for vehicular and pedestrian traffic shall be used as reasonably required.

Additionally, Ordinance No. 313 of the city code states that:

• The city council of the City of Montrose regulates the trimming and removal of trees within the city. No person shall remove a tree without the permission of the city manager.
  
• Any tree or trees located on any parcel of real property or parking that becomes dangerous to the life of any person or their properties shall be declared a nuisance. It shall be the property owner’s duty on which the said tree is located to either trim or remove the said tree to abate the nuisance. The city manager shall notify the owner to abate the nuisance within 30 days from the date of delivery of the notice. If the owner refuses or fails to abate the nuisance within the given period, the city manager shall cause the said tree to be trimmed or removed, and the cost thereof together with a 10 percent penalty shall be assessed against the tree owner. 

As part of the city’s commitment to helping residents maintain the beauty of the community, Montrose City has funds available to assist residents with tree trimming and replacement of trees on the public right-of-way. For example, the city reimburses 50 percent, up to $200, for trimming trees in the public right-of-way. However, funding is limited, and assistance will be provided on a first-come basis.

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Montrose?

In Montrose, the accepted law is that a tree whose trunk stands solely on the property of an individual belongs to the individual. The owner is responsible for caring for and removal of the tree if necessary. However, if a tree partially stands on the properties of two or more people, it’s referred to as a boundary tree, and it belongs to all the property owners. The co-owners are responsible for caring for and removing such a tree. However, despite these rules, the City of Montrose is no stranger to bitter tree disputes. So, who is responsible for tree removal in the following scenarios? Let’s take a deeper dive:

If you’re a homeowner?

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to remove a fallen, dead, or diseased tree from their property. Your homeowners insurance can help pay for the cost of removal and any damage caused by a falling tree on a property.

If you’re a renter?

It is the responsibility of the entity owning the property to remove a downed tree and pay for the cost of any damage caused by the tree. However, some leases may transfer this responsibility to a renter under a special arrangement.

If you’re a landlord?

If you are a landlord in the City of Montrose, it is your responsibility to care for and maintain all the trees on your property. As such, you will pay for a tree that needs removal as per the city’s codes.

If you’re a neighbor? 

If a neighbor’s tree falls on your property due to natural causes, you will be responsible for its removal. Ideally, your homeowners insurance can help cover the cost of removing the tree and remedying the damage caused to your property. However, if it is established the tree fell due to your neighbor’s negligence, they might be held liable.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Montrose?

The Seitz soil is the most occurring series in Colorado, including in large parts of Montrose City. Seitz soils are very deep, well-drained soils developed in colluvium and slope alluvium. While the water drains quickly through this soil, it does not enter into it easily to increase bulk and density, resulting in detached soil particles. If this soil is disturbed by rainwater, wind, or storms, its silt and particles are transported easily, and the soil can begin to erode. The erosion weakens the tree root structure, making the trees vulnerable to adverse weather events such as high winds, storms, and floods.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Montrose?

The City of Montrose is not new to extreme weather events, including high winds, floods, hail, extreme heat, drought, sun, rain, snow, and ice. These situations can sometimes wreak havoc on the city’s trees, shrubs, and lawns. For example, violent storms accompanied by high winds and heavy rain can tear up or topple trees. Similarly, too much precipitation may lead to potential issues, including loss of nutrients, root rot, and fallen trees due to loose soil. Such trees pose considerable hazards and may need immediate removal.

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Montrose?

Trees that grow too close to or onto power lines can result in power outages and safety risks. Electricity conducted through such trees can kill or injure people working near it. The City of Montrose’s Electric Utilities is responsible for trimming trees near power lines. However, as a homeowner, you may also have a role to play to ensure your trees near power lines are trimmed to avoid the risk of electrocution. 

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Montrose?

The average tree removal cost in Montrose is $992, which is 14 percent more than the countrywide average of $871. Most jobs in the area fall between $225 and $2,200. The actual cost you will pay varies depending on various factors.

Tree Height and Size

In general, taller and larger trees cost more to remove than shorter, smaller trees. A tall tree requires to be limbed before it can be felled, which translates to more work hours that our experts would need to remove the tree.

Tree Location

A tree located near homes, roads, or power lines costs more to remove than one on an open field. Ideally, our tree removal experts will need specialized equipment to take down such trees without damaging any property. The cost of renting equipment, such as lifts, can spiral and eventually end up on your bill.

Tree Health

Dead, dying, storm-damaged, or diseased trees are easier to remove and usually cost less than removing healthy trees. Damaged and diseased trees pose safety hazards for everyone living near them due to a higher risk of falling.