AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Newark, CA

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Newark?

Trees in Newark are susceptible to many common pests and diseases. Here are the issues we encounter most often.

Sudden Oak Death

This fatal disease has killed over a million trees in central and northern California alone. Symptoms include seeping cankers that grow on the trunks of oak trees. Leaves will begin to wilt, and the tree will quickly die. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for Sudden Oak Death, but we have a few methods that help to slow the process. Call our arborists if you suspect that your tree is infected with this disease since treatment can also keep the pathogen from spreading to nearby trees.

Fire Blight

Fire blight is a bacterial disease that affects many fruit trees in Newark. The disease spreads by splashing water, contaminated tools, and through the wind. Symptoms of fire blight include blackened branches, twigs, blossoms, and leaves that look like they’ve been burned. This condition spreads quickly and will kill trees very fast. If you notice symptoms, call our arborists to assess your trees. If caught early, we can prune away infected branches to save your tree.

Sycamore Anthracnose

This fungal disease attacks California sycamore trees, causing the leaves to develop large brown spots while cankers form on the tree’s branches. If left untreated, your sycamore tree will become vulnerable to other infestations and diseases in its weakened state. Call our arborists at the first sign of this condition. We’ve got fungicides that successfully treat sycamore anthracnose so your tree can remain healthy and strong.

Borer Beetles

These tiny pests bore into the sides of trees, leaving a small hole and a pile of sawdust behind. Once inside, they feed off flesh underneath the tree’s bark, disrupting the flow of nutrients. When a tree is malnourished, it weakens and can die in just a few years. If you notice the beetles’ telltale holes in your tree’s trunk, have our arborists inspect your tree. These pests can kill trees quickly and will spread to surrounding trees in the area as well.

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

Newark’s Tree Management Program (TMP) has maintained the City’s street trees since it was established in 1988. Their crews work on an eight-year maintenance schedule in which they prune street trees at no cost to you. The TMP will also remove any dead, dying, or undesirable trees, and they’ll replace each tree within a scheduled timeframe.

According to the TMP, a tree is considered undesirable if it affects the sidewalk or surrounding area. Homeowners are asked to contact TMP if they have a street tree that needs attention — and if you’ve got an open space in your right-of-way, you can put in a request for the City to plant a new tree, free of charge.

If your dead or dying tree is located somewhere else in your yard, you will need to hire our arborists to remove it. The City only assists in the removal of trees that are located on the right-of-way.

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Newark?

When a tree falls, homeowners can be left with a big mess and a lot of questions. Let’s consider a few scenarios so you’re prepared if one should fall onto your property.

If You’re a Homeowner?

Homeowners are responsible for maintaining the trees on their property. If you’re regularly pruning your trees and examining them for signs of disease or infestation, you have nothing to worry about. If one should fall due to an unforeseen event, your homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost of your tree’s removal. You will only be responsible for paying your deductible.

If You’re a Renter?

Renters do not own their homes or their surrounding properties. If a tree falls, you do not need to pay for anything at all. Your landlord will contact their insurance to take care of the tree’s removal. If the tree damaged your private property, your landlord’s insurance should take care of its replacement. Sometimes insurance companies can be difficult about these issues, and if that’s the case, you may need to consult a lawyer for help.

If You’re a Landlord?

Landlords own all the homes and trees on their properties. That means you’re responsible for pruning and assessing your trees for signs of disease or infestation. If your trees are cared for, and one falls, your insurance company will cover the cost. You will only be responsible for paying your deductible. If, on the other hand, your insurance company can prove that you had been negligent, your premium will increase.

If You’re a Neighbor?

Newark follows Massachusetts Law when it comes to neighborhood disputes. When a tree falls into your yard, your homeowner’s insurance will pay to have it removed. It doesn’t matter whether the tree had been firmly rooted in your neighbor’s yard. Similarly, your neighbor’s insurance will cover the cost of a tree that has fallen into their yard, regardless of whether it’s their tree. If your insurance company can prove that your neighbor’s tree had been neglected and left at risk of falling, they will likely go after your neighbor’s insurance for payment.

To avoid unnecessary problems, make sure you’re regularly pruning your trees and watching them for signs of disease. If you notice a neighbor’s tree in need of a little TLC, let them know so they can get it taken care of.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Newark?

The soil in Newark is mainly composed of silty loam, and a large portion of the City’s soil has clay mixed in. This soil is full of nutrients, but the added clay and silt make it difficult for water to drain correctly, and roots have trouble growing. To amend your soil so trees can grow successfully, you can add compost to the ground, displacing the clay and allowing space for water and roots to move freely. 

You can also add a layer of mulch around your tree’s base. At a depth of three to six inches, the mulch will help protect your tree’s vulnerable roots from the heat and will keep pests away. Mulching is especially beneficial for drought-resistant trees.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Newark?

The weather in Newark is generally warm and mild year-round, and sunny days are the norm. Unfortunately, Newark is prone to droughts, and trees suffer without enough water to thrive. Without proper care, trees suffering from drought stress can become weakened and at risk of infestation or disease. Symptoms of drought stress include wilted, yellow, or scorched-looking leaves. It’s essential to water your trees during seasons of drought to avoid this condition. 

To properly water your trees, make sure you focus on the drip line, which is the area under the perimeter of the tree’s foliage. Remember that your tree’s root system is at least as wide as the tree’s height and all of those roots need water. Don’t focus on the area around the trunk since this can cause fungal diseases.

Make sure you never prune or fertilize a tree during a season of drought since this can further stress an already weakened tree. If you’d like to add amendments to the soil, consider adding compost or a thick layer of mulch around your tree’s base. 

Some common mistakes can also kill a tree that is already stressed from a season of drought. Make sure you don’t prune or fertilize your tree during a drought. Both practices encourage trees to grow, and a stressed tree doesn’t have the energy to do that. Some exceptions include adding mulch or compost around the base of your tree. Both of these organic materials will add nutrients to the soil near the tree’s roots. 

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Newark?

Pacific Gas and Electric currently provides electricity to Newark residents, but the City will be transferring its service to East Bay Community Energy next year. PG&E works a regularly scheduled maintenance loop to prune all of the trees along their distribution lines. They trim all the branches located between poles and remove trees free of charge as necessary. Any branches that are pruned will be cut and left on your property to be used as firewood.

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to prune branches that interfere with their service lines. That means that you need to hire our arborists to maintain any branches near the line that runs from a pole to your meter. PG&E recommends that you never do this job yourself since working around electric wires can be very dangerous. You can also contact PG&E ahead of any maintenance, and they’ll shut off your power temporarily free of charge.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Newark?

Tree removal in Newark typically costs around $700, but your total can fall anywhere from $150 to $1,990. When quoting a price, we’ll consider several factors. Some of the most significant factors include:

Tree Size

When calculating a quote for tree removal in Newark, our arborists will measure your tree’s height and its trunk diameter. These measurements will let us know how big of a job your tree removal is going to be. Large trees with lots of foliage take a lot more resources and time to remove than small trees with few branches. This factor will probably be the most significant influence in determining your final cost.

Tree Location

Our arborists will also consider whether there’s anything around your tree that will complicate our tree removal process. If your home is close by or if there are power lines near the tree, we’ll need to take additional safety measures to get the job done successfully. These obstacles will likely cause your final price to be a little higher. 

Stump Grinding

This service is usually not included in the price of tree removal, but we can add it on at an additional charge. Often, it’s much cheaper just to have our arborists grind your stump than to rent the machine and try to do it yourself. It’s also much safer.