Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Antioch?
- 2 Does the City of Antioch Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Antioch?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Antioch?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Antioch?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Antioch?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Antioch?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Antioch?
Per the Antioch official website, the biggest concern for local trees is the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
Emerald Ash Borers (EAB)
EABs are small green beetles native to Asia. It’s a shame they’re such pests because they’re quite lovely, gemmy little creatures. Adult beetles are bright metallic green and nibble on ash foliage, causing relatively minor damage. It’s the larvae that feed on the inner bark of an ash tree, the crucial layer between the bark and wood that transports water and nutrients to the tree. The results are dieback and bark splitting.
Adults usually emerge in May from infestations that occurred the previous year. But, sometimes, they appear earlier if the weather is warm. Female EABS lay their eggs shortly after, and the larvae bore into the tree. Homeowners can see the visible tracks under the bark.
EABs can only fly a short distance, but they can survive a long time in transit on ash logs, branches, and firewood. To date, more than 1,200 trees have been removed from Antioch, thanks to these little beasts, and most of them were Ash trees.
Apple Scab
Apple scab is a fungus that commonly affects crab apple, pear, and apple trees. Leaves infected with apple scab will become spotty, turn yellow and drop early. Apple scab infections are worse during wet, rainy springtime weather and early balmy summers.
Cytospora Canker
Cytospora Canker is another fungal disease. Spruce trees are among the most affected, but it can happen to any conifer. You’ll recognize it when cankers form on branches and trunks. The tree’s needles turn brown and drop, starting at the ends of branches working inward. The disease usually begins on the lower limbs and progresses upward and will kill all the branches on one side of the tree.
Does the City of Antioch Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Some Trees Are the Responsibility of Antioch
The Village of Antioch is responsible for trees in the parkway—the area between the sidewalk and street. If you see a public tree that’s unhealthy or think it might be festering with EABs, contact the village online, or call (847) 395-1881.
Public works professionals will decide what to do with the tree, which may end up in tree removal and eventually stump removal. Residents can fill out this form to request the ability to plant a new, approved tree in its place.
Examples of approved tree species include:
- Hickory
- Service Berry
- Tulip trees
- Dogwood
- And Ginkgo trees
Tree removal on private property in Antioch is the responsibility of the homeowner/landlord. Unfortunately, the city will not help with tree pruning or removal on private land.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Antioch?
The responsibility for fallen tree removal in Antioch belongs to the owner of the property. Remember, “Your property, your problem.”
This can cause a bit of drama between neighbors, tenants, and landlords. But, if a tree falls on your property, the portion of the tree on your land is yours to handle.
Sometimes, trees fall over several property lines. It doesn’t matter where the original stump is or who planted the tree 20 years ago or that it was an expensive imported hardwood. If it’s on your land, it’s yours to dispose of.
Let’s take a closer look at the costs and realities of tree removal in Antioch.
If you’re a homeowner?
As a homeowner, when a tree falls on your land, it’s always your responsibility to remove it. If your tree falls onto your home and does damage, your homeowner’s insurance will pay for most of the removal. There is always a deductible involved, so there will undoubtedly be some upfront costs.
Sometimes, the cost of tree removal is less than the deductible or just barely more. If your deductible is $1,000, and the cost of tree removal is $1,100, it makes sense to pay for it entirely out of pocket rather than involve an insurance company. When homeowners call in too many claims, their insurance premiums increase. So, many homeowners choose to pay for tree removal themselves.
However, if a tree or limb falls onto your home and damages the structure, file a claim! You are entitled to have your home repaired and the tree removed. That’s why you have homeowner’s insurance.
If you’re a renter?
Tenants don’t own the property they rent, so they aren’t responsible for tree removal. If a tree falls on your rented property, it is the landlord’s responsibility. Fallen trees can be hazardous, so don’t hesitate to call your landlord/property manager. They have insurance to cover this.
If that tree fell onto your vehicle, it will be the landlord’s responsibility to pay for repairs. Again, they have insurance.
The same can be said for a tree that falls onto the window and allows water into your apartment. Your landlord’s insurance should cover water damage to your belongings, and you might be entitled to a few nights in a hotel room while repairs are made. Remember, you can always get a renter’s insurance policy, too. That would also cover your belongings from storm or tree limb damage.
If you’re a landlord?
Landlords are responsible for trees that fall on property they own. The rare exception might be an ag (agricultural) lease or commercial property lease that specifically designates landscaping, yard work, and tree removal as the tenant’s duty. Those types of commercial leases are complex, and you’d probably know if you’ve signed one.
If you’re a neighbor?
When an enormous tree falls across several property lines, it can cause a bit of drama in the neighborhood. You’re only responsible for the portion of the tree that is on your property. Still, sometimes, the best reaction is a conversation with all the neighbors involved. We’ve seen neighbors split the bill 50/50 or in thirds.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Antioch?
Antioch is home to many types of soils. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) published this detailed soil survey for the county. Homeowners and developers can use it to get an idea of which trees will do best at their address.
Many of the soils in Antioch are silty. That means they’re nutritious, somewhat sandy, and can be difficult to drain. Homeowners might find they rarely need to fertilize trees and only need to water saplings until they’re well established.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Antioch?
In Antioch, the summers are usually warm, humid and wet. Winters are very cold, dry, and windy. During an ordinary year, the temperature typically varies from 14° F to 83° F, and even the most frigid winters are rarely below –7 °F.
Too much humidity can lead to various types of fungal Anthracnose, a nasty infection that leads to spotting and die back. Ash, birch, oak, maple and sycamore trees are commonly affected. The infected leaves will appear spotty with brown, curled edges. Infected leaves can sometimes drop early, so you’ll recognize Anthracnose by the unseasonal leaf drop.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Antioch?
Dead trees and limbs near power lines are extremely dangerous. Stay far away from them! They can catch fire, cause forest fires and structure fires, and create cascading power outages.
If you see a dead tree or limbs on/near power lines, contact the power company.
- Commonwealth Edison “ComEd” provides most of the electrical service to the village of Antioch.
- Per their website: “Trees and other vegetation cause about 21% of all electric service interruptions.”
- They provide preventive pruning every four years around power lines to provide reliable electric service.
If you see downed power lines or dead trees falling onto power lines in Antioch, stay far away. Call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1, that’s (800) 334-7661, to report the issue. In an emergency, where you see a tree has fallen onto a power line and caught fire, dial 911.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Antioch?
The average tree removal in Antioch ranges from $190 up to around $2,100, with an average of $590. That’s on the low-end compared to national averages. However, it’s impossible to provide a quote for tree removal without examining the tree and its surroundings first.
So many factors can affect tree removal! Of them all, we’d say that tree size, surroundings, and tree health have the most impact on your cost for tree removal.
Size of the Tree
Imagine a grassy field. It’s mostly empty except for two trees: one 11-foot sapling and one monstrous 110-footer. Lightning strikes them both, and they need to be removed.
The 11-footer is going to cost much less to remove, maybe only $200. The 110-footer will require more labor, fuel, trucks and so on. It might cost $2,500 to remove.
Surroundings: What is Around the Tree?
Thinking back to those two trees out in a grassy field, they’re easy to remove. We won’t need to fight gravelly slopes, waterways, busy streets, or nearby structures.
In the opposite situation, a tree that falls onto a home, across a stream and high on a slippery slope will become a far more intricate removal, so it’s easy to see how surroundings will affect the cost of tree removal in Antioch.
Tree Health
Diseased trees cost more to remove. We need to be cautious about splitting and splintering, and we’ll need to clean our equipment before the next job. No one wants to spread fungal anthracnose from one property to the next.
