AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN San Rafael, CA

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in San Rafael?

Bacterial and fungal diseases are common issues in San Rafael. Many of them have the potential to do a lot of damage. Staying informed is one of the best steps you can take for your trees. Be sure to look for signs of disease and take action right away.

One of the common problems that fruit trees see in San Rafael is sooty mold. This is more likely to happen during the warmer months of spring and summer. However, the mold can also spread to many other trees. This fungal growth does not infect the tree or plant, it coats it. It starts when a fruit-sucking pest feeds on the fruit and then excretes a waste product called honeydew. The honeydew then becomes moldy. If the leaves of the tree are coated enough, it could prevent sunlight from getting to it. Some signs to look for are curling and yellow leaves and a fuzzy look to the fruit. One of the best ways to fix this problem is to identify and manage the pest that is sucking at your fruit. 

Shot hole disease is another fungal-based issue facing trees in San Rafael. This disease usually goes after almond and cherry trees. The first signs that you have this problem may appear in spring. Small purple or reddish spots will start to form on the leaves. The stem may be yellow before the leaves turn brown and prematurely fall. Fruits may develop a scab-like lesion on the surface. The fungus spreads through the water from rain and fog, especially as it warms. You can help prevent this tree problem with drip irrigation and watering at the base of the tree. Keeping the fruit and leaves dry will help lessen the effects. 

A bacterial disease called fire blight is the reason for many tree removals in San Rafael because of how contagious it is. The bacteria will cause your tree’s leaves, bark, and stems to appear burned. Sometimes you will see an ooze coming from cankers on the tree and wilted brown blossoms and leaves. Fire blight is more susceptible in some fruit trees like pear or quince. If there are any signs of this disease, you will need to call us to address it right away. The spread to other trees can be fast. Affected trees should be pruned or removed entirely. Any tools used on the tree need to be disinfected after use.

Chinese elm anthracnose, also sometimes called elm black spot, is a disease that causes tar-like black spots on the foliage of trees. This problem can cause premature leaf drop, defoliation, twig and branch dieback, and cankers to form on trunks. The weather in the Marin County area is perfect for Chinese elm anthracnose, and many elms won’t recover, eventually needing a tree removal in San Rafael. If it’s suspected that your tree has this disease, we can help. We have experience removing trees that are highly contagious.

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

If you need tree removal in San Rafael, the city will help if the tree is affecting the public spaces. For example, if your tree’s roots start to lift the sidewalk, they will send an arborist out to evaluate it. If they agree that it’s a problem, they will trim the roots or remove the tree. If it is a city tree, and on any city property, you won’t need to do anything except report the problem to be addressed. If the problem is from a private tree on private property, they expect the property owner to fix the issue. 

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in San Rafael?

Sometimes a tree will fall due to natural causes. This can happen because of a storm, age, or disease. Who is responsible for the removal if a tree falls? The answer will depend on where the tree has fallen. It may be different depending on if you rent or own your home. Here are the most likely situations for tree removal and responsibility in San Rafael.

If you’re a homeowner?

If you are a homeowner and a tree falls on your property, you are responsible for the removal. The City of San Rafael’s tree ordinance explains that property owners are expected to maintain the appearance and safety of the land. This includes trees that may have fallen on the property. If you are in this situation, you should call your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if the fallen tree is covered. 

If you’re a renter?

Renters in San Rafael are not expected to take responsibility for tree removal because they do not own the land. If you are a renter and a tree falls, the best thing you can do is call your landlord. They will need to know what happened and whether or not there was any damage to structures on the property.

If you’re a landlord?

If you’re a landlord in San Rafael, California, you are responsible for fallen tree removal on your property. This is because you are the property’s owner and you’re expected to maintain the safety and appearance of it. If your tenant informs you of a fallen tree, you will need to deal with it in a timely manner. After assessing the damage and making sure everyone is okay, you will want to contact your homeowner’s insurance company and find out if they’ll cover any damage. 

If you’re a neighbor?

Neighbors in San Rafael are expected to maintain their own properties too. If your tree falls on their property, they will be responsible for it. This might not sound very fair, but this rule can go both ways. That is why it is so important to keep up with regular tree maintenance. Preventing tree problems and addressing them immediately will help prevent trees from falling.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in San Rafael?

The soil in San Rafael is a sandy loam. In some areas, there is also gravel over-covering. This is great for drainage and most trees won’t need a lot of watering. The downside is that these types of soils are prone to erosion during the rainy season. This is because the water can wash away the sand in the soil. If this happens, your tree roots may become exposed, and the soil may lose some nutrients. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in San Rafael?

There are two main weather-related problems affecting the health of trees in San Rafael. Drought is a big problem in California. When your trees don’t get enough water, they will dry up and die. This is having huge consequences for the city’s canopy and other vegetation are also feeling the effects. Many towns are limiting watering times. You may need to start planning other ways to water your plants. You could invest in rain catchment barrels or update some of your plumbing to a greywater system. This will help reuse your water runoff. We will all need to conserve water if we want to save our trees.

Another problem affecting the health of your trees is wildfires. Annual wildfires have increased as rainfall is decreasing throughout the county and state. The severe drought is causing trees to become dry and brittle, making them the perfect fuel to start fires. If you have dead and dying trees, they need to be removed sooner rather than later. The longer they sit, the more hazardous they become, especially during thunderstorms if lightning strikes them.

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in San Rafael?

If there’s a tree near a power line, dead or alive, it will need to be removed. Dead trees are especially hazardous because, over time, they become dry and brittle, which causes instability concerns. At some point, the tree will fall and that could affect the power supply in the area. If you need tree removal in San Rafael due to a potential threat to power lines, you need to contact PG&E. They supply and manage the power for the city. They will come and remove the tree and debris. 

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in San Rafael?

If you need tree removal in San Rafael, you’ll probably want to know what it will cost. If you want an exact estimate based on your specific tree, we can help with that. Every tree removal is different and they all come with some unique challenges that will need to be addressed. Most regular tree removals will be in a price range between $185 to $1,950. The price usually won’t cover the cost of stump removal or grinding, which is a separate service altogether. Here are some common factors that increase the price.

Size of the Tree

One of the most common influences on pricing for tree removal in San Rafael is the size of the tree. Small trees do not take as much time, energy, or labor to cut them down safely. However, tall trees are a different story. The taller the tree is, the more dangerous the job will be to our workers and nearby property. Bigger trees also take much longer to clean up. Here is a rough estimate of what you may expect pay to remove a tree based on size:

• The average cost for 20-foot tree removal: $155 to $380
• The average cost for 40-foot tree removal: $360 to $785
• The average cost for 60-foot tree removal: $695 to $1,270
• The average cost for 80-foot tree removal: $1,105 to $2,155

Location of the Tree

Where is your tree located? Is it easy to get to or difficult? If it’s easy to get to, it will cost less to remove it. However, if you need tree removal in San Rafael and you live on a narrow, busy street, you will pay more. This is because inaccessible trees are harder for us to remove safely. They’re also more dangerous and take more time. We will also want to know if your tree is near any power lines, which will increase the danger. 

Labor, Materials, and Health of the Tree

Some trees may take more of our crew members to bring down safely. Some may need heavy machinery or a crane rental to remove it. The amount of labor and the type of materials required for each job is a little different and it’s a major influence on pricing. Another thing that may affect labor and materials is the health of the tree. If the tree is dead, infected, or diseased, it is more dangerous and unstable. We may need extra eyes and tools to be sure no one is injured on the job.