Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Ledyard?
- 2 Does the City of Ledyard Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Ledyard?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Ledyard?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Ledyard?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Ledyard?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Ledyard?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Ledyard?
Three broad categories of damage can harm your trees and lead to the trees either falling over or needing our professional tree removal services. These are environmental or physical damage, pest infestations, and disease or fungal infections. Some of the most common tree issues in these categories include:
Leaf Blight and Dieback
Fungal and bacterial infections can negatively impact the ability of trees to photosynthesize and grow. Their leaves or needles turn brown prematurely and new shoots or growths either die or fail to develop. Deciduous and evergreen trees are susceptible to this problem. While it rarely is enough to kill a tree on its own, it can be a visible symptom of a more serious infection or can put enough stress on trees to make them vulnerable to other pests and diseases.
Damage from Winter Weather
Connecticut has cold winters, though Ledyard’s location near the coast can help make the weather more moderate. Harsh winter days can scald tree bark or even split it and whisk away moisture. Late frosts after the tree has already woken up for the year can damage the bark and leave the tree vulnerable to pests and fungi.
Other types of winter damage that can hurt or even kill trees include broken branches during wind storms or snowstorms and split tree trunks.
Wilt from Fungal Infection
Wilt can be a symptom of a serious fungal infection, such as Verticillium, which causes wilt in a wide variety of woody ornamental trees ranging from birches to yews. Wilt makes your tree droopy, turns the foliage yellow, and causes progressive dieback. Sections of the tree may be affected one by one or the entire crown may show sudden signs of wilt. It’s important to prune away infected branches as soon as possible and plant resistant tree varieties between susceptible ornamentals to try and prevent the spread of the fungus.
Gypsy Moths
Large stretches of Connecticut, including Ledyard, have had trees infested with gypsy moths. These pests can infest and feast on lots of different trees. They prefer oak trees, but they can spread to other ornamental trees and even conifers in heavily infested areas. They don’t often directly kill trees, but they can defoliate them and make the trees vulnerable to other pests and diseases.
Does the City of Ledyard Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Ledyard does not provide financial assistance for removing trees on private property. You can contact the Tree Warden with questions about trees on public land and next to roadways, public utilities, and sidewalks or signage. However, the city does have a weekly bulk waste pickup program that can pick up trimmings, twigs, and leaves. Large branches can be cut and disposed of at the local transfer station.
The state of Connecticut encourages property owners to consult with a Connecticut-licensed arborist like Tree Triage before removing a large tree. They also recommend caution when cutting potentially infested or infected wood into furniture, lumber, or firewood as the pests can be transported and spread.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Ledyard?
When a tree is standing and growing on a property you own, you’re generally responsible for its care and maintenance (and removal, as necessary). But once the tree falls over, knowing who is responsible is a little more complicated. Consider these common scenarios:
If you’re a homeowner?
If a tree you own falls on your property in Ledyard, you’re responsible for contacting us to arrange for tree removal. We recommend contacting your home insurance company because they may arrange removal entirely on your behalf or pay all or a portion of the costs. Removing the tree as quickly and as safely as possible helps protect your property from fungal infections and pests that will try to settle into the tree.
If you’re a renter?
When you rent a property, you’re generally not responsible for maintaining the grounds, and that includes removing fallen trees. If a tree falls on the property you’re renting, you can just notify your landlord and let them know about the tree and any structural damage the tree may have caused as it was falling. If any of your personal belongings, such as a car or bicycle, was also damaged by the falling tree, you can reach out to your renters insurance provider for compensation.
If you’re a landlord?
Landlords are ultimately responsible for managing and maintaining the property they’re renting out to tenants. If you see a fallen tree or your tenants report one, it could become a safety hazard for occupants and visitors. It can also start to rot or invite pests onto your property. Just like with traditional homeowners, landlords can contact their insurance provider about the incident. Your insurance company may cover all or a portion of the cost for tree removal.
If you’re a neighbor?
When your neighbor’s tree falls on your property, you’re responsible for arranging tree removal, though your insurance company may assist with the costs or the process. The previous tree owner doesn’t have any liability for the fallen tree under most circumstances. However, if they neglected the tree and that neglect led to the incident, they may have an obligation to help cover the costs.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Ledyard?
Ledyard is in New London County, which is largely covered by Rippowam fine, sandy loam soil. There are six main types of soil. These are chalky, clay, loamy, peaty, sandy, and silty. Loamy soil is one of the most preferred for growing trees and agriculture. Loam soils have an optimal degree of drainage because the water doesn’t get trapped in the soil or leach away too quickly. The soil is also nutrient-filled, which allows trees to grow larger and stronger.
Ledyard soil is also fine and sandy, which means water drains away faster than in purely loamy soil. If there’s a drought or temporarily dry conditions, tree owners can water and mulch their trees to ensure adequate hydration for photosynthesis and healthy growth.
Your property’s soil may also have a low pH or be acidic. This is because the rocks in Connecticut soil are naturally low in pH. However, you can test the soil on your property to determine its exact pH and then apply alkaline additives like lime to modify it to best suit your trees’ growing preferences.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Ledyard?
Ledyard tends to be humid or wet all year long, so there’s minimal risk of drought affecting the growth of your trees. The moderate temperatures in the area also help protect your tree from severe weather-related damage. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 88ºF, and winter temperatures rarely sink below 0ºF.
However, the long winter season can be potentially hazardous for your tree. Long stretches of below-freezing temperatures can increase the risk of wind scalding and dryness. It can also increase the duration of snowfall so heavy snow piles up on branches or tree trunks. We recommend checking your trees for damage after heavy snowfall and before the temperature increases in the spring.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Ledyard?
Eversource serves Ledyard and the surrounding area with power. As part of that service, they maintain the area around power lines to keep them free of tree branches and other obstructions that can cause a power outage. They trim, prune, and even remove trees that grow too close to power lines.
If you see a dead tree that’s fallen on or near power lines, we recommend contacting Eversource to report the issue. Trees can conduct electricity, so the area can be extremely dangerous. Shuffle away from the area as quickly as possible and contact the utility company so they can assess the tree and remove it. You can also contact the city if the tree is an immediate safety risk.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Ledyard?
Every tree removal project is different. Once we have an arborist or tree specialist onsite, we can create a more detailed estimate for the specific cost of your tree removal project. Most removal jobs in Ledyard fall between $180 and $1,975, with an average cost of around $700. However, some of the most important factors to consider include:
Tree Size
Bigger trees cost more to remove than smaller trees. After all, large trees are taller, heavier, and tend to have more foliage and branches. If your tree is still standing, the size of the tree has even more impact on the total cost of the project. The size of the tree determines how many loads are required for complete removal, if the trunk needs to be cut into pieces for removal, and more.
Time Constraints
Tree emergencies can happen any time, even outside of normal business hours. If you need a tree removed immediately because of damage during a sudden storm or another event, we’re here to help provide emergency services, even during weekends and holidays. However, tree removal during irregular hours or periods with a lot of demand can warrant additional fees.
Additional Services
If you’re renovating your landscape or cleaning up your property after a storm, tree removal might not be the only tree service you need. For example, if your tree is still standing, we can cut down the tree in preparation for removal. You may also want additional foliage removal and general cleanup. If you’re turning a tree-covered portion of your property into turf, you may also want stump grinding services. Stump grinding services include grinding down the stump and visible roots of a tree so they aren’t trip hazards or targets for pest infestations. Each of these additional services can add to the total cost of your project.
