Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Eagle?
- 2 Does the City of Eagle Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Eagle?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Eagle?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Eagle?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Eagle?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Eagle?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Eagle?
Eagle, ID has it all: gorgeous golf courses, luxurious spas, and stunning natural beauty, thanks to the mountains and local foliage. As tree care experts, we love our local trees, and we want to do everything we can to protect them and preserve their health to keep the City green and beautiful. Unfortunately, tree issues arise all over the country, and Eagle is no exception. The three most common tree issues we see in Eagle include Armillaria root disease, mountain pine beetles, and fir engravers.
Armillaria root disease
Armillaria root disease is a deadly fungal disease that affects the roots of plants, and it often leads to crown thinning and branch dieback. Once this root disease takes hold of a tree, there is no way to save it from imminent death. Instead, the best path forward is to prevent the fungus from reaching other nearby trees and causing entire areas of trees to succumb to it too. Removing trees with this disease must be done in a careful and specific way, so we recommend calling our professionals as soon as you suspect that one of your trees has this type of root disease.
Mountain Pine Beetle
The mountain pine beetle is a type of local bark beetle, and it has been devastating to trees and forests all over Idaho for years now. Mountain pine beetles tend to attack trees that are already stressed or dead, though they sometimes flock to trees that are otherwise perfectly healthy. These critters like to lay their eggs beneath the bark of the trees, and those eggs release chemicals that prevent the tree’s immune system from fighting back. When these beetles attack pine trees, they also release hormones that attract other mountain pine beetles to the area to lay their eggs, leading to a vicious cycle that often kills the tree if it isn’t dead already.
Trees that mountain pine beetles have attacked tend to have odd horizontal and vertical carvings underneath their bark, and the needles or leaves of the trees often turn brown, starting at the top of the tree.
Fir Engravers
Another type of problematic beetle that attacks trees in Eagle is the fir engraver. These beetles tend to attack grand fir and white fir trees, and like mountain pine beetles, they like to feed and lay eggs underneath the tree’s bark. After the larvae hatch, they eat horizontal lines under the tree’s bark, and they eventually chew their way out of the bark to carry on the legacy of their ancestors and attack new trees. Unlike mountain pine beetles, however, fir engraver attacks don’t always result in tree death. They enjoy attacking stressed trees, and some severe attacks may still be enough to cause tree death if left unattended.
Does the City of Eagle Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Yes, the City of Eagle does provide year-round yard waste collection for a small fee to collect grass clippings, small branches and twigs, and other similar yard debris. They also offer leaf collection in the fall and Christmas tree recycling in the weeks after the holiday.
To get a tree removed by the City in a public right-of-way, you must fill out a tree removal application. Eagle prioritizes preserving greenery and natural beauty, as they often require removed trees to be replaced with other comparable vegetation near public land. After submitting your application, the city may send out an inspector to assess the trees you want them to remove, and they will determine the next steps.
When removing trees on your property, aside from those who live near a public right-of-way, the City likely won’t help you with tree removal.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Eagle?
Trees provide neighborhoods with beauty and shade, and it can be unfortunate to see a beloved tree fall due to illness, storms, or any other reason. After a tree falls, it is usually a property owner’s responsibility to get a fallen tree removed from their premises, except under a particular set of circumstances.
If You’re a Homeowner?
When you own your home and its surrounding property, you will be the one that has to schedule tree removal services and foot the bill. You are also responsible for keeping the trees in your yard healthy, pruned, and watered, as this prevents them from getting ill and falling in the first place. It’s impossible to avoid all of your yard’s trees from falling, but calling us to do a bit of preventative tree maintenance can save you plenty of headaches and money in the long run.
If You’re a Renter?
As a tenant, you are usually not responsible for having a tree removed from the property that you rent. You may have to mow the lawn and rake the leaves in your yard regularly, but tree removal is a more extensive maintenance issue that the property owner typically handles. This is true unless your rental contract states that you will be responsible for paying for tree removal services. If a tree falls in your rental property’s yard, or you see a tree that looks sick or dead, it’s best to let your landlord know right away, so they can remedy the issue.
If You’re a Landlord?
Owning properties that you rent out to residents comes with many responsibilities, and most of them have to do with keeping your properties safe and free of hazards for your residents. Your responsibilities usually include tree care and removal on your properties, especially in the event of a fallen tree. If you know about trees on the premises that appear to be dying or hazardous, but you neglect to have them taken care of, you can be sued for negligence. It’s always best to regularly check on your properties’ trees to ensure that they are healthy and strong, and call in our professionals if your tenant lets you know about trees that look ill or dead.
If You’re a Neighbor?
If a tree from your neighbor’s yard falls onto your property, you become the one responsible for having it removed in most cases. This can feel like an unfair turn of events, so many neighbors find it helpful to discuss how they will handle specific fallen tree scenarios before they occur and come to an agreement. Some neighbors even opt to split the costs of preventative maintenance and tree removal when trees sit near property lines.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Eagle?
Idaho consists of many regions that have several types of soil compositions. The soil in Eagle tends to have lower concentrations of clay, and it is often lighter due to a higher amount of sand than other soils. Sand is present in most soils across the country, but it tends to be loose and does not hold onto moisture very well. As a result, trees rooted in predominantly sandy soils may become dehydrated quickly because they don’t have a chance to absorb adequate water after rainfall.
Additionally, much of our soil is alkaline, or it has a pH above 7.0. Most plants and trees prefer soils that are acidic or below a pH of 7.0, but there are plenty of simple strategies we can use to correct a soil pH problem.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Eagle?
Yes, the weather in Eagle affects local tree health. Anyone who has lived here long enough knows that Eagle gets much less rainfall than the Country’s other regions and that we experience hot summers and cold winters. These factors can negatively affect tree health, especially if physical injury, poor soil and nutrients, and more already stress our trees.
When we experience droughts in Eagle, some trees benefit greatly from regular watering, as this keeps the tree well hydrated and firmly rooted in the ground. Many trees need one or two inches of water during hot summer months each week to stay adequately hydrated, though water needs vary from tree to tree. Refer to the chart on pages six and seven from this tree care guide from the University of Idaho – Extension to determine how often and how much you should water different types of trees. We can also help you develop watering solutions and strategies to keep your yard’s trees healthy and strong.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Eagle?
Dead trees near powerlines are a recipe for disaster, as they can bring down powerlines and cause outages when they fall or begin to entangle themselves. Idaho Power regularly inspects trees near powerlines and prunes branches or removes trees that pose a safety threat. If you see a dead tree or one that is growing too close to power lines, you can contact Idaho Power by calling 1-800-488-6151 or using their online form.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Eagle?
The average cost of getting a tree removed in Eagle is about $650, though your actual bill may be significantly higher or lower. When we calculate tree removal costs, we take several factors into account, especially the following:
Size of the Tree
Generally speaking, the larger the tree you need to be removed, the larger your final bill will be. The bill is more expensive because larger trees, especially those located in tight spaces or near homes and buildings, may need to be braced and are removed with more sophisticated techniques than smaller trees or saplings.
Labor Hours
When tree removal jobs take several hours or require more of our staff, your tree removal bill will also be higher than tree removal jobs that only take a few hours and less staff.
Other Services Provided
Trees removed due to disease or pest attacks may have begun spreading their diseases to other nearby trees. After tree removal, we often recommend applying fungicides or pesticides to other trees to preserve their health and structural integrity. These extra services will cost a bit extra, however.
