AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Bloomington, IN

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Bloomington?

Bloomington is a gorgeous little city located just outside of Indianapolis, and over 80,000 residents call it home. Bloomington is known for housing the University of Indiana, having several fascinating museums, and boasting some incredible natural areas. We have been given the special designation of “Tree City USA” for our love and care of trees, though our trees still suffer from many common issues that can cause illness and premature death. Three of the most common tree issues we see in Bloomington include the Emerald Ash Borer, European Gypsy Moth, and oak wilt.

Emerald Ash Borer

The Emerald Ash Borer is a pest native to Asia, and it has been wreaking havoc on forests in North America since 2002. The EAB bores holes into ash trees, which reduces a tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients throughout its leaves and branches. Major signs of an EAB attack are branches that die back and the splitting of their bark. Many trees that have been attacked by EABs die after just a few years. 

Humans have inadvertently made the EAB problem worse in the United States by taking wood from one region to another, spreading larvae and beetles themselves to new territories to overtake. When finding firewood to use, it’s important to gather or shop for wood local to the area to avoid contributing to the spread of EAB. Another way to help slow the spread is by burning leftover wood before the spring to ensure that no EABs have infiltrated your collection.

European Gypsy Moth

European Gypsy Moths (EGM) are incredibly common and devastating pests to many American forests, including those located near Bloomington. EGM caterpillars have voracious appetites, defoliating all different types of trees and shrubs and starving them of precious sunlight. After sustaining repeated attacks, many trees die because of EGMs themselves, but EGM attacks can also make trees weak and more susceptible to other deadly diseases. 

These pests are easy to spot, especially as caterpillars, as they are large and have a distinct look. They tend to be about 1 1/2 inches long and 3/4 inches wide. When they are young, they are mostly black with patches of spiky fur, but older EGM caterpillars have five pairs of blue dots followed by six pairs of red dots on their backs. EGM male moths are brown and have a 1 1/2 inch wingspan, while the females are white and sport jagged brown lines on their wings. 

If you notice that your trees have become defoliated, and you see either moths or caterpillars that look like EGMs, there are a few strategies we can employ to try to save the tree and reduce the spread of EGMs to others. 

Oak Wilt

Oak wilt is a highly unfortunate fungal disease that can affect all types of oak trees, and it is very common in the Midwest. This fungus can kill red oak trees in as little as one month, but it can take those in the white oak family much longer to finally die. Either way, there is no cure for oak wilt once it takes hold, so the best thing we can do in this situation is work to prevent it from spreading to other trees. The disease can be carried from one tree to another by insects, or infected roots can pass it along to other root systems. 

After we remove a tree that has succumbed to oak wilt, we often recommend applying a fungicide to neighboring trees to try to stop or slow the spread and prevent it from killing your other trees. 

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

The City of Bloomington works to keep our city green, beautiful, and safe by regularly pruning and removing dead trees on public property. If you notice a tree that seems ill or hazardous on public property, you can contact the city at 309-434-2260. Whenever the city does remove a tree, they replant the tree if it meets certain criteria. For this reason (and many more) the City of Bloomington has been a Tree City USA for over 30 years now. 

Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Bloomington?

Because Bloomington residents understand the value that trees bring to our community, it can feel devastating when one dies and falls over. Most people don’t think about what happens after a tree falls until it happens, but it can be helpful to have a basic understanding of who is responsible for getting a fallen tree removed before it actually happens. 

If you’re a homeowner?

Home and property owners are responsible for taking care of the trees on their property, which includes getting them removed when they fall. Calling us to take good care of your yard’s trees before they fall is always a good idea, as it helps trees stay healthy and keeps their structural integrity. 

If you’re a renter?

Renters are usually not responsible for having fallen trees removed from the premises unless it specifically states that in the rental contract. Those that rent their home may have to perform basic lawn care duties like mowing or raking leaves, but tree care usually falls to the property owner. 

If you’re a landlord?

As a property owner, you can be found negligent if you fail to properly take care of the trees on your property, and they end up causing property damage or hurting someone. This is especially true if trees are clearly sick or dead but you failed to take care of them in a timely manner. When it comes to fallen trees, you are likely responsible for having them removed unless it is specifically written in the rental agreement that this falls to the tenant. 

If you’re a neighbor?

Although it can seem unfair to some, the person who owns the property that the tree fell on is the one that is responsible for getting it removed. When trees sit near property lines, it can be helpful to talk to your neighbor about what you will do if a tree falls from one neighbor’s property to another beforehand to come to an agreement. 

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Bloomington?

The soil in Bloomington is dense with clay, which has its benefits and drawbacks. Clay is vital for most plants, as it absorbs water and allows plants to get enough to drink after it rains. In too high of a concentration, however, clay can harm trees by not allowing them to get enough oxygen and keeping their roots water-logged for too long. Some soil in Indiana is also acidic, though plants and trees often prefer soil that has a pH below 7.0. 

If you want to know more about your property’s particular soil makeup, you can send a soil sample to Purdue University – Extension, which will give you a detailed report of your soil. This can help you decide what to add to the soil to make it better for plants and trees. 

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Bloomington?

Bloomington gets cold winters, hot and humid summers, and plenty of rain and snow. We often see tornadic activity and heavy winds in the spring, which can knock trees over and make heavy branches and limbs fall. Humid summers and lots of precipitation can also allow fungus and pests to grow and spread, though the cold winters are enough to make those issues go away for at least a few months out of the year. 

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Bloomington?

Duke Energy regularly inspects and trims trees all around Bloomington to keep them away from power lines to avoid power outages and dangerous situations. If you see trees interfering with primary power lines, you can submit an online request to have the tree inspected and managed, if applicable. Trees that are near neutral lines or service lines are not handled by the utility company and are instead the responsibility of the homeowner. We can contact Duke Energy to have your power disconnected before servicing trees near those types of lines to prevent electrical hazards. 

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Bloomington?

The average cost to remove a tree in Bloomington is about $650, though that can vary widely depending upon some factors. The three largest factors we take into account when calculating the costs, however, include the size of the tree, whether special equipment had to be used, and whether other special services were needed after the tree was removed. 

Size of the Tree

Small trees take less staff and time to remove, and removing these won’t cost nearly as much as larger trees. Trees that are several stories high and several feet wide are quite an undertaking, and the final bill will reflect that, sometimes topping $2,000.

The Use of Special Equipment

Sometimes we remove trees that are in a remote area, away from other trees and property. In these cases, we don’t have to use quite as much caution when removing it, as the risk of property damage is low. In other cases, we have to remove trees that are in hard-to-reach locations or can cause quite a bit of damage when they fall. In these instances, we often have to use different techniques and specialized equipment to complete the job safely, but this can add to your bill significantly. 

Other Services Provided

After we remove trees that are dead or suffering from fungal or pest infestations, we often recommend that fungicides and pesticides are applied to neighboring trees. Allowing the disease to spread from the removed tree to other trees without these preventative measures can result in an entire yard of dead or diseased trees that will eventually have to be removed too. Adding these services to your tree removal project may cost you a bit more upfront, but they are well worth it in the long run by preserving the health and integrity of the rest of your trees.