Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Rutland?
- 2 Does the City of Rutland Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Rutland?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Rutland?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Rutland?
- 6 What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Rutland?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Rutland?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Rutland?
The main reasons for tree removal in Rutland are diseases and pests. The best thing you can do to save a sick tree is to act fast and call us when you notice any changes. Trees in trouble will often look like they are changing to fall colors too early. Sometimes, the bark will split or look like it is bleeding. If you notice any concerning symptoms, we can help.
A common disease in Rutland that can rapidly kill pine trees is cedar apple rust. If you notice that the wood on the tree is dry when cut, with no pitch flow, it might not be due to drought. Instead, it could be cedar apple rust. Most often, in Massachusetts, only apple, crabapple, and juniper are infected. The main sign you want to look out for is the galls that appear in the trees in spring. The galls will have long, orange or red, gel-like tendrils coming from them. Having the galls pruned and removed can control the disease as long as it is done before the tendrils appear. Fungicides are not recommended because of the long infection period. Spores can travel through the wind for up to two miles.
If you notice small, dead areas forming on the needles of your trees, followed by the needles dying off and dropping, it may be dogwood anthracnose. This is a tree disease that is caused by several varieties of fungus. Dogwood anthracnose is a common reason for tree removal in Rutland, affecting primarily dogwood and oak trees. The disease starts with a small, black fungus eating the dead needle tissue, eventually causing large parts of the branches to turn brown as needles fall. If anthracnose does not kill your tree, it will make it weaker. If the tree is too weak, it may not make it through severe frost storms. The disease can be avoided by keeping the foliage dry. Try watering at the base of the tree rather than overhead, using a drip irrigation system.
The emerald ash borer (EAB), named for its emerald green color, is another destructive pest you need to watch out for. This wood-boring beetle is now in 35 states, including Massachusetts, with no signs of stopping. It is responsible for killing hundreds of millions of ash trees across North America. The adult beetle likes to eat the foliage, which causes damage to the canopy, but it’s the beetle’s larvae that kill the trees so fast. The larvae like to feed on the inner bark. This disrupts the transport of water and nutrients through the tree. Some signs that you have EAB are bark splitting, D-shaped holes in the bark, and thinning of the canopy.
Dutch elm disease is another big problem for trees in Rutland. It is also what killed the elm at the center of the commonwealth in 1969. At first, you may notice the leaves wilting or shriveling. Next, the leaves and shoots will start to die off. If the branches become infected, they will be killed quickly. After this, if the disease progresses, the entire crown of the tree may be affected. Dutch elm disease can travel to other elms nearby through roots, getting out of control quickly. The elm bark beetle carries and transfers the fungus that causes the disease to start. This is a difficult tree problem to have and is even harder to control. If your tree has any signs of Dutch elm disease, you may need our tree removal services in Rutland.
Does the City of Rutland Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
If you are having tree removal problems in Rutland, the town will not help unless the tree is on public property. If this is the case, you’ll need to report it, and an arborist will be scheduled for an assessment. If the tree problem is on private property, the city won’t be of any help. They only use their limited resources to maintain public trees. If you have a problem with a public tree and the city arborist decides to let the tree stand, you can appeal, but you can’t take matters into your own hands. The town has been known to press charges for tree damages.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Rutland?
If you need fallen tree removal in Rutland, you may be trying to figure out who is responsible for it. After all, you didn’t plant the tree. 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 are a homeowner and a tree falls on your property, you will be responsible for it. In the town of Rutland, property owners are expected to maintain the appearance and safety of their land, including trees. Even if you did not originally plant the tree, it has been your responsibility from the day you bought the property.
If you’re a renter?
Renters are not responsible for tree removal in Rutland. This is because they are not the property owner. The only thing they’re responsible for is notifying their landlord of any problems. In this case, they will need to contact the landlord to let them know a tree has fallen.
If you’re a landlord?
If you are a landlord and one of your tenants has reported a fallen tree on your property, you are responsible. Even if you don’t live on the property, you are still responsible for it. In this situation, you should assess the damage, if any, and contact your homeowners insurance company. They can let you know if the tree is covered or not.
If you’re a neighbor?
What happens if your tree falls in your neighbor’s yard? Your neighbor will be responsible for the tree removal. The same is reversed if your neighbor’s tree falls onto your land. In Massachusetts, it is not about who owns the tree that fell, but who owns the land that the tree has fallen on.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Rutland?
The soil in Rutland is a nice, dark sandy and silty loam. Most areas have the ideal loam made up of sand, silt, and clay. This should make your trees very happy. The clay should be low enough to prevent soil hardening around the roots, and the sand will help with drainage. The one thing you will want to keep an eye out for is erosion. If a lot of rain comes through, it could start washing away some of the sand. This would change the soil composition. If you’re concerned about your soil quality, you can get it tested. Sometimes, tree removal in Rutland is necessitated by bad soil.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Rutland?
Weather can cause serious problems for trees in Rutland. Compared to the national average, this area gets more snow and rain, but a lot fewer sunny days. The winters can be bone-chilling, and many trees, especially older and weaker ones, don’t make it through. Some trees come out of winter with damage, which attracts pests, bacteria, and fungi. As the snow and ice accumulate on the branches, the weight increases and may cause limbs to break. This is a busy time of year for tree removals in Rutland. One way to prevent winter tree problems is regular year-round maintenance.
What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Rutland?
Any time you see trees near power lines, dead or alive, it is a hazard. Dead trees near power lines are especially dangerous because, as the tree sits, it becomes more dry and brittle. At some point, the tree will fall because it will no longer be able to support its weight. This happens a lot during winter, when snow and ice sit on the branches, making them heavier. If a tree falls on the power line, it will disrupt the power supply to the area, which will be even worse during winter when people are trying to stay warm. Always call your power company the moment you see a dead or dying tree near a power line; they will send their trained staff to correct the issue.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Rutland?
The cost for tree removal in Rutland will depend on a few different factors. The three main things that will influence the price are the size of the tree, accessibility or location, and the tree’s overall health. This is only a pricing estimate based on past tree removals for the area. The price range for the average tree removal is between $115 and $1,950. Below, you will find the more common things that increase the cost.
Tree Size
The biggest cost factor for tree removal in Rutland is tree size and height. The bigger and taller the tree is, the harder it is to cut down safely. In addition, some tall trees come with more hazards, especially for the people cutting them down. Here is a general estimate of how much you can expect to spend, based on height alone.
- Tree removal cost for a 20-foot tree: $105 to $335
- Tree removal cost for a 40-foot tree: $360 to $585
- Tree removal cost for a 60-foot tree: $525 to $1,190
- Tree removal cost for an 80-foot tree: $945 to $1,875 or more
Tree Accessibility
If you need a tree removed in Rutland, the cost will depend on where the tree sits. Some trees are really difficult to reach. Others might be near power lines, increasing the price and likely taking longer to remove because the power will need to be shut off temporarily. If the tree is near other structures and property, we will need to take extra precautions to protect them. On the other hand, some trees are easy to get to and have already fallen. These are usually the least expensive tree removals.
Health
Tree health is a big deal and can affect the price of removal. Trees that are infested need to come down more carefully to reduce the spread of the pathogen. Having to protect the other trees makes our job more challenging. Dead trees are also more dangerous because they are less predictable due to being brittle and unstable.
