Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in South Portland?
- 2 Does the City of South Portland Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in South Portland?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in South Portland?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in South Portland?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in South Portland?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in South Portland?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in South Portland?
Trees are a great addition to your South Portland yard. They increase your curb appeal and offer practicality in the form of shade. The area has a variety of trees in all shapes and sizes. The trees we see most often in the area include:
- Green Ash
- White Ash
- Quaking Aspen
- Balsam Aspen
- American Basswood
- American Beech
- Sweet Birch
- Blueleaf Birch
- Butternut
- Black Cherry
- American Chestnut
Some of these trees grow to stunning heights with long, full limbs. They can present an imposing presence in your yard. This makes it challenging when one of them needs to be removed. Our team often hears South Portland homeowners ask what went wrong. Here’s a look at the most common tree issues we see in the area:
Winter Weather Damage
New England is known for its white winters and South Portland is a quintessential New England town. This area sees more than 55 inches of snow each year and during the day, the temperatures rarely cross above the freezing point, and the temperatures dip into the low 20s and the mid-teens.
With sustained freezing temperatures, a hard freeze takes hold of the area. A hard freeze also freezes the soil in your yard, including the moisture and nutrients that your trees need to grow.
You may have evergreen trees in your South Portland yard and these trees are designed to easily survive a hard freeze unless it’s a very young tree. Other species of trees might not have such a positive outcome.
When spring arrives, your trees should bounce back and begin to grow again. A tree that doesn’t begin growing again in the spring might have become damaged during the hard freeze.
Occasionally, we get a call about a tree that returned to growth in the spring, and then it died without any other cause. These trees became damaged during a hard freeze and the damage spread, killing the entire tree.
Insect Infestation
Bugs are only cute in Pixar and Disney movies. When they’re making the trees in your South Portland yard into a home or a buffet, you can lose an otherwise healthy tree. Insects and other pests are part of the ecosystem. Here are a few of the most common insects that we see in the area:
- European Gypsy Moth
- Asian Gypsy Moth
- Asian Longhorned Beetle
- Emerald Ash Borer Beetle
By the time you notice an insect infestation in a tree, they’re probably working on other trees in the vicinity. Treatments are available for an infestation that might save the tree, but you need to act fast. Here are some signs that you need to keep an eye out for:
- Channels and holes in the tree
- You can see insects on the tree and or swarming nearby
- Smaller new growth leaves and limbs
- Misshapen or discolored leaves
- Areas of weakness between the trunk and limbs
- Fewer leaves in the canopy
- Sunken areas
- Stunted growth
As soon as you notice a sign of insects in the trees of your South Portland yard, it’s time to call us for an evaluation. Our team can recommend a game plan to treat it or remove it.
Does the City of South Portland Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
In the city of South Portland, you can expect the city to remove any trees that are on public land. They’ll also plant and trim trees in the public areas. This can include an area of an easement in your yard towards the street. However, most of the trees in your yard are on private property, and you’re the responsible party for removing them.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in South Portland?
When a tree falls, you may wonder who the responsible party is for its removal. We hear a variety of special circumstances at our South Portland location. We’ve put together this section to review the various situations and address the responsible party.
If you’re a homeowner?
When you’re the South Portland homeowner, it’s almost always your responsibility to remove a fallen tree from your private property. Sometimes, there’s an easement on your land, a small parcel owned by the city or one of the local utility companies. A fallen tree in this area is the responsibility of the city or local utility company. If a fallen tree is located at the front of the yard, it’s worth a call to the city to see if it’s on an easement.
If you’re a renter?
As a renter, you might mow the grass or pull the weeds in the yard of your South Portland rental home. However, the homeowner is responsible for removing a fallen tree. You do need to let the homeowner know when there’s a fallen tree in the yard.
If you’re a landlord?
If you’re the landlord and the homeowner, you’re responsible for removing the fallen tree from the South Portland yard. You still own the home even though someone else is living in it, so it’s your private property.
If you’re a neighbor?
Sometimes, we’ll get a call from a South Portland homeowner because their neighbor’s tree has fallen and part of the tree is in their yard. Each homeowner is responsible for removing the portion of the tree that’s in their yard.
Now, every once in a while, the neighbor knew the tree needed to be removed and didn’t do it. The neighbor was negligent in their care of the tree and they’re also liable for removing the entire thing and any damage to your property.
Before you call an attorney, you might consider contacting your neighbor. The solution might be easily reached when you talk to each other and it makes it easier to maintain a friendly relationship.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in South Portland?
The most common soil type that we see in South Portland is the Chesuncook soil series. The soil originates as a glacial till and it offers plenty of nutrients. This soil drains well, so your trees are at lower risk from root rot, a fungal disease.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in South Portland?
Yes, the weather in South Portland can have a profound effect on your trees. The beautiful New England winter wonderland can leave your trees without the moisture or nutrients they need. A hard freeze can damage a tree beyond repair or kill it.
In the spring, thunderstorms bring the chance of a lightning strike. A direct strike can split a tree in half or simply damage it. These storms also bring high winds that can tear branches off or knock things into your trees.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in South Portland?
A dead tree near a power line might be in an area of an easement, where the power line runs cables. If this is the case, you can get the power company to remove the tree from your South Portland yard. Otherwise, the tree is on your private property, and you’re responsible for contacting us to remove the tree.
You need to keep in mind that a power line and a dead tree have the potential to be life-threatening or to knock power out to your block. If you see this type of situation, you need to move away and call local emergency services. A dead tree that’s only near a power line is still a danger. You don’t want to attempt to remove it yourself and need to hire our professionals to safely remove it.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in South Portland?
The cost of tree removal is important to homeowners, but we can’t give you an exact figure until we see the tree and evaluate its condition. The cost of tree removal runs between $175 and $1,900 with an average cost of about $605. Even though the city of South Portland doesn’t require a tree removal permit, there are other cost factors to consider.
Add-on Services
When we remove a tree from your South Portland yard, there are add-on services that you can choose to add. The most popular are turning the tree into firewood or wood chips. You can use the wood chips as mulch around your yard.
Tree Condition
Sometimes, we remove a tree that’s badly decayed. There is always a chance that during the removal, the tree might crumble in on itself. An uncontrolled fall isn’t safe for our workers or your home, so it will take us longer to take down.
Tree Size
Larger trees require additional time and precautions to safely remove them. When we cut down a tree, someone from our team climbs the tree and cuts it down in sections to ensure your home or property isn’t damaged.
