AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Milton, FL

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Milton?

Milton is a gorgeous area and one of the best places to live in the Panhandle. It has freshwater rivers, is only about thirty minutes from the Pensacola beach, and is filled with beautiful trees that help provide shade during Florida’s hot summers. 

That is why it is vital that Milton homeowners recognize signs of tree issues as soon as possible so that they can take the necessary actions to get rid of the problem fast. Some of the more common tree issues that Milton residents often have to face include:

Ash-Plant Bugs

Ash-plant bugs often lay their eggs in tree branches and twigs, and when these eggs hatch, it ends up causing an infestation to the tree. These ash-plant bugs use needle-like mouthparts to pierce leaf tissues and feed on the sap. As a result, leaves will become discolored first with yellow and white specs, then turn brown as the leaves begin to die. Typically, early de-leafing of the trees will occur, and leaves will become deformed. 

Hardwood Decay

Different fungi in Florida attack hardwoods differently and can result in a number of issues. For instance, Canker-Rots are a severe form of hardwood decay that results from the fungus that enters the tree and grows between the bark and the wood, killing the bark, which causes the cankers. Plus, once these cankers develop, they themselves can make the tree highly vulnerable to bacteria and insects. 

Crapemyrtle Bark Scale

A new pest in the western Panhandle of Florida can wreak havoc on Milton’s trees. The Crapemyrtle Bark Scale, also referred to as CMBS, is a tiny insect that appears as a white or gray felt-like encrustation. Often, the first sign of CMBS is a black sooty mold on the tree bark. However, there are numerous other issues that can result in this mold, so it may be hard to pinpoint if the CMBS is the root cause. 

While the scales from the CMBS do not outright kill the tree, they do lessen the landscape value and reduce the flowering. Plus, CMBS also secrete lots of honeydew, which the black sooty mold feeds off and grows. Although this mold does not harm the plants directly, it can be unsightly and interfere with the photosynthesis process. 

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

Generally, in Florida, unless otherwise exempted by the Land Development Code, permits are required for the removal of a healthy, non-dangerous tree on residential and non-residential properties. Yet, each city in the state may also have its own set of specific requirements. 

To remove a tree in Milton, the residents need to have a tree removal application approved by the city, and one of the following conditions need to be met:

• The tree is diseased, injured, and in danger of falling or whose continued existence threatens the safety and health of the public.
• The protected tree is located in proximity to existing or proposed structures, and the structural integrity of the utility of such a structure is materially impaired. 
• The protected tree materially interferes with the servicing, location, or functioning of public utility lines or services.
• The protected tree obstructs views of oncoming ground traffic or creates a hazard to such traffic, or where removal of the tree is necessary to comply with state or federal requirements or is essential to get federal or state financial assistance. 

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Milton?

Property owners in Milton are usually responsible for maintaining their private trees. However, determining whether you will be responsible for the costs associated with removing a fallen or dead tree will depend on several factors. 

If you’re a homeowner?

Under Florida’s laws, the tree’s health will determine responsibility for the damages that it creates to neighboring properties. For instance, if a tree falls because of natural causes, such as high winds or severe storms, the property owner of the place where the tree has fallen is responsible for removing the tree. On the other hand, if a dead tree falls on a neighboring property and results in damage, the person who owns the property where the tree was initially located is responsible for these expenses if the homeowner was on notice that the tree was sick or dead. 

If you’re a renter?

Typically, a renter and a landlord will enter into a rental agreement ahead of time on how to care for the rental property. These parties will often discuss the various issues that need to be handled and spell out their different responsibilities in a contract. However, if problems arise that are not mentioned in the lease, the landlord will often be responsible for making necessary repairs to the property, while the renter will be in charge of cleaning up the property and maintaining it. Subsequently, if a tree falls, it will likely go beyond the scope of the renter’s responsibility and become the landlord’s issue.

If you’re a landlord?

Landlords are usually responsible for taking care of a fallen tree since they own the tree. This means that landlords will be on the hook for the costs associated with the tree, including the tree removal expenses. However, before a landlord does anything, they need to check with their insurance company. Many times, if a tree falls because of a natural cause, their insurance policy may cover the damages the tree caused unless their coverage does not extend to “acts of God.”

If you’re a neighbor?

Since Florida laws are primarily based on the legal theory of negligence, property owners from which the fallen tree originated will often be liable for the fallen tree if they knew or should have known the tree was hazardous or if the tree’s dangerous condition was apparent. Consequently, if a tree has fallen onto a neighbor’s yard because of a natural occurrence, the property owner is typically not responsible for the damages or removal cost. 

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Milton?

Soils in Florida’s Panhandle contain substantial amounts of clay. Generally, clay soils compact more easily and drain more slowly than other sandy soils. As a result, these clay soils make Milton residents work much harder when working in their gardens than in other areas in Florida, where the sand is not as clay-like. Although clay soil can hold nutrients exceptionally well, meaning that trees and plants are well-set-up once they are planted. This clay soil is tough to work with since it becomes slippery when wet and cracks and hardens when dry. 

It is also important to add that a tree’s root system will develop at a more shallow depth in heavy clay soils, which can mean if the tree is planted too deep, new roots will often have a difficult time developing because of the lack of oxygen. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Milton?

There is a reason why Florida is considered the sunshine state, as it is the warmest of all American states with an average daily temperature of 70 degrees and 2,800 hours of sunlight over the year. In Milton, the climate is considered to be humid subtropical with low temperatures seldom going below freezing.

Generally, the wet season lasts from May to October, but Florida is known for setting records for the highest rainfall of all the states. Annual precipitation usually results in 55″ of rain, with a majority of it occurring in summer and early autumn. Consequently, this hot and wet climate makes Milton an exceptional location for growing a variety of trees, including:

• Trident Maple
• Red Buckeye
• Downy Serviceberry
• American Hornbeam
• Eastern Redbud
• Red Leaf Redbud
• Chinese Fringetree

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Milton?

If a tree grows too close to power lines, it can result in many issues and problems. In fact, overgrown trees are a top cause of power outages in Florida. That is why Gulf Power company, an energy provider in Milton, is responsible for taking care of these problems by maintaining clear easements through activities that include vegetation management and right-of-way inspections. These types of activities specifically involve the removal and cutting of trees, application of herbicides, and pruning trees impacting these easements. 

If you have any questions regarding trees near power lines, it is vital to contact Gulf Power and speak with a representative about what needs to be done and if they can help. 

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Milton?

Tree removal services in Milton will range around $500, but each job is different, and the pricing will depend on how difficult and how long the job will end up taking. In general, the overall price of a tree removal project will fluctuate based on several factors, including the tree’s location, height, and the amount of special equipment needed to take on the job. 

The Size of the Tree

Larger trees will usually require more specialized equipment and precautions that can impact the cost of a tree removal job. For instance, if we need to provide climbers to ascend a tall tree and rope it down to break it up into more manageable pieces or use special machines to help grind the trunk and stumps down, the total price for removal will be higher.

Is the Tree Accessible

Another factor you will want to watch out for is tree accessibility. For example, if your tree:

• Is located on a small property that is difficult to access
• Is located behind a fence or a garden
• Is located in an area where removing the debris will be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process

Then you will be looking at a more substantial removal bill since these factors can create many issues for our tree removal specialists.

Tree Health

If a tree is dead, dying, or diseased, there is often a higher risk of it falling over. As a result, the job may require increased safety measures and special equipment to ensure that injury is prevented when the tree is being removed. Consequently, this special care can increase tree removal costs.