Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Westport?
- 2 Does the City of Westport Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Westport?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Westport?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Westport?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Westport?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Westport?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Westport?
Tree removal in Westport is often needed after common tree issues. Many threats are facing the health of your trees, from fungal pathogens and pests to wild weather. In this section, we’ll go over some of the typical problems we see most often.
If you start noticing stripes on the leaves of your beech tree, it’s not trying to show off. It’s a nematode-derived health problem called beech leaf disease. Usually, the first symptom is the darkening of pigment between the veins on the foliage. This often looks like striped leaves. Soon, the leaves will start to wilt and yellow. Complete defoliation and sometimes death can occur within a couple of years. If the tree infestation is bad enough, you will need tree removal in Westport.
Anthracnose is another tree disease in Westport that spreads in spring and early fall. Anthracnose is a fungal-based infection that attacks maple, oaks, sycamores, and ash trees. This disease may start with spotting on the leaves that spread along the veins. The foliage may look wet in some places. As the fungus takes over, the leaf will turn red, brown, or black. You may notice small twigs and branches begin to die. Defoliation of the tree is likely to happen in severe cases and may occur each year until the problem is fixed. This could cause tree deformities. You can help prevent anthracnose by keeping the leaves dry. If caught early enough, a fungicide may be needed to prevent the disease from spreading.
Another fungal-based disease that affects elms, lilacs, and maples is verticillium wilt. In particular, these fungi love Japanese maples. Most early symptoms of this disease are in the leaves. If you notice early fall coloring and leaf drop, or your leaves wilt, dry, brown, and curl while still holding onto the branch, you may have verticillium wilt. Infected trees can die suddenly or take a few seasons. There are several steps that an arborist can take to mitigate the spread and help your tree. This fungus lives in the soil, making it a little more difficult to control. If you suspect your tree has verticillium wilt, we can help.
The emerald ash borer (EAB), named for its green color, is a destructive, exotic beetle. This wood-boring pest is now in 35 states, including Connecticut, and is responsible for killing hundreds of millions of ash trees across North America. The adult beetle does only a little damage by eating the tree’s foliage. It’s the emerald ash borer’s larvae that do most of the killing. They will feed on the inner bark, which will disrupt water and nutrient transport through the tree. If you see holes in the bark that look like the letter D, or S-shaped spitting under the bark, you may have an infestation. Sometimes the first sign is thinning of the canopy. This pest can cause an instability problem inside trees, making them a fall hazard. EAB infections often lead to tree removals in Westport.
Does the City of Westport Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The Town of Westport takes great pride in its trees. The Tree Warden, along with the Tree Board, is responsible for deciding which trees are removed and how to manage the town’s tree canopy. If you have a tree problem in any public right-of-way area, you will need to apply for removal. If the tree removal problem is on private land, the Tree Charter states that you are expected to manage the problem with the help of a trained specialist like Tree Triage. We can help you with tree removal in Westport because we have experience navigating the Town’s Ordinances.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Westport?
If you need fallen tree removal in Westport, you may be trying to figure out who is responsible for it. To answer your questions, we will first need to know where the tree has fallen. It may be different depending on whether you are a renter or a homeowner. Here are a couple of the more common scenarios for where a tree may fall and who will need to take responsibility.
If You’re a Homeowner?
If you have a fallen tree and it’s on your property, you are responsible for removing it. In the Town of Westport, the property owner is responsible for maintaining the appearance and safety of their land. If the tree fell from natural causes and any structural damage occurs, it will likely be covered by your homeowner’s insurance company. You will still want to compare your deductible with tree removal costs. Often, deductibles are higher.
If You’re a Renter?
Renters are not responsible for tree removal in Westport. They do not own the property where the tree has fallen, so they won’t need to do anything except contact their landlord. The sooner you call your landlord, the sooner they can make arrangements for removal.
If You’re a Landlord?
If you’re a landlord in Westport, Connecticut, 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 on time. 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?
Where a tree falls will determine who needs to take care of it. Neighbors are responsible for their property, so if your tree falls in your neighbor’s front yard, they will need to have it removed. In the same respect, if a tree falls on your property, you will need to take care of it. It’s good to keep up with regular tree maintenance and trimming, especially for trees near property lines. Healthy trees are far less likely to break and fall, causing damage to other property.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Westport?
The soil in Westport is a sandy and gravel loam, part of the Windsor series. This series is known for being very deep, rapidly permeable, and excessively well-drained. Beneath the sand and gravel, the soil overlays groundwater aquifers. This means that if there is any water pollution, it will affect your trees because of the high permeability of Windsor soil. Another concern is the fertility of the soil. The Windsor series is known to need occasional fertilizing to maintain proper nutrition levels. If you’re concerned about your soil’s health, you can have it tested.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Westport?
After severe weather, the need for tree removal in Westport increases. This area is a high-risk location for hurricanes, and after Hurricane Sandy swept through the town, residents could hear the sound of chainsaws as emergency crews worked round the clock to handle the onslaught of fallen trees. Hurricanes bring a particular threat to the health of trees because of high winds and flooding. The water alone can uproot and knock trees on the side. Add hundred-mile-an-hour winds, and you have a disaster. We can help you maintain your trees regularly, which can reduce the likelihood of them falling during emergencies.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Westport?
If you have a tree near power lines, you will need to take extra precautions in the removal. The power company for Westport is Eversource, and they recommend that you call them before any work starts. They can work with our arborists’ schedules and shut off the power to keep crew members safe. Dead trees pose a particular threat because they become more unstable and hazardous the longer they stand. At some point, the tree will collapse. If the tree falls on the power line, it could start a fire or take out the power to the town.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Westport?
If you need tree removal in Westport, you’re probably looking for a pricing estimate. This section will go over some of the average estimates for past tree removal jobs. We’ll also look at some factors that could affect the price. If you need a quote based on your specific tree removal needs, we can help. On average, most homeowners pay between $225 and $1,979 for each. Below are some cost factors that will influence the cost.
Tree Size
The height and the width of the tree will determine the price for tree removal in Westport. The taller the tree is, the more people, equipment, and time will be needed to cut it down. Bigger trees also take longer for our crew to clean up after once the tree is down.
- The average cost of 20-foot tree removal in Westport: $165 to $455
- The average cost of 40-foot tree removal in Westport: $340 to $755
- The average cost of 60-foot tree removal in Westport: $630 to $965
- The average cost of 80-foot tree removal in Westport: $925 to $2480
If you need stump removal or grinding, this is usually a separate service. The price for removing a stump is also dependent on the size, as the larger the root is, the more invasive removal will be.
Tree Location
Another cost factor for tree removal in Westport is the location. To bring the tree down, we need to have access to it. In some cases, the tree may be difficult to reach, which may mean that our crew members will need to climb the tree and create a series of braces and pullies, removing and securing one section of the tree at a time. This is more dangerous and time-consuming than a tree that is in an empty field and has already fallen. We will need to know if the tree is near power lines, other property, or streets to help us determine a tree removal quote.
Tree Health
The health of the tree may be the reason you need tree removal in Westport, but it can also influence the price you will pay. Trees that are sick and possibly contagious need to come down more carefully to prevent further spread to other trees. This can take longer, but it’s worth it in the long run. Dead trees could be problematic and more unpredictable. If they have been dead for a while, they may be dry and brittle. This increases the risk of a sudden collapse during removal, putting our crew in more danger.
