Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Wake Forest?
- 2 Does the City of Wake Forest Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Wake Forest?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Wake Forest?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Wake Forest?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Wake Forest?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Wake Forest?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Wake Forest?
Wake Forest is one of 11 towns surrounding Raleigh, NC. It is about 20 miles from the heart of Raleigh and is situated between the counties of Wake, Franklin, and Granville. Wake Forest is just east of Falls Lake and hosts 10 community parks along with 26,000 acres of woodlands. It goes without saying that trees are a common sight. Of course, any location with many trees will have common tree issues. There are several common tree issues in Wake Forest.
Fallen Trees
North Carolina experiences several Atlantic hurricanes annually during the hurricane season, from June to October. Hurricane-force winds and precipitation are common causes of fallen trees and branches. Some of our busiest times for tree removal in Wake Forest are after a powerful hurricane or storm.
Dead trees and trees with imbalanced or weak limbs are the most common trees to fall during a storm. We can prune limbs that cause an imbalance and limbs that are likely to fall during a storm. Our experts can also remove dead trees or tipping trees to prevent fallen trees during storms and resulting property damage.
Tree Diseases
Foliage diseases are common in North Carolina. These include Anthracnose, leaf blister, and hypoderma needle cast. The diseases attack needles or leaves, causing a loss of their healthy green color and defoliation. Cool wet springs are typically the cause of foliage diseases and may not result in permanent damage to the tree. Often, the disease is mostly cosmetic.
Bacterial scorch diseases are one common foliage disease that can result in permanent damage or tree death. It commonly occurs during times of drought or dryness and results in a brown burned foliage appearance. It most often affects oak or sycamore. The disease is often irreversible by the time the symptoms are displayed. Water and soil nutrition can prevent leaf scorch, and pruning affected branches may postpone spreading.
Insects and Pests
Tree pests can cause damage to the foliage, limbs, and trunk of the tree. Some of the most common tree pests in North Carolina that cause tree removal in the Wake Forest area are borers.
The ambrosia beetle is a borer that infests trees, including dogwood, maple, Japanese maple, and ornamental cherry. The beetle’s trademark is toothpick-like strands protruding from the infested tree. The holes left by the beetle can cause the tree to decline and make the tree susceptible to ambrosia fungus. Borers like the ambrosia beetle are a common reason for tree removal service in Wake Forest.
Does the City of Wake Forest Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Wake Forest city cares for the trees on city streets, rights-of-way, and medians. They provide trimming, pruning, and replacement of trees, and are proud to be designated as a Tree City by the Arbor Day Foundation. The Urban Forestry Foundation, together with volunteers, provides city trees with the best care possible.
If you see a dead tree, tipping tree, or fallen tree on city property, contact Wake Forest Urban Forestry to tend to the tree. Typically, the city will not help with tree removal services on private property.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Wake Forest?
When a tree falls and requires removal, it can be difficult to determine who is responsible for any damage and tree removal in Wake Forest. Here are some scenarios to help you determine who is responsible:
If you’re a homeowner?
As a homeowner, you are responsible for all trees on your property and are likely responsible for tree removal in Wake Forest. Trees fall for a variety of reasons, and they can fall on your property or a neighbor’s property. If a tree growing on your property falls on your property, you are responsible for its removal and any damage.
When a tree falls from your property onto a neighbor’s property you are still responsible unless the tree falls due to a storm or other unforeseen acts of nature. Another reason you may not be responsible for removal and damages is if a neighbor cuts down the tree or damages the tree, resulting in its fall.
If you’re a renter?
As a renter, you are likely not responsible for fallen tree removal in Wake Forest. North Carolina requires landlords of residential properties to maintain common areas, such as outdoor areas and lobbies. The landlord should keep the property safe and inhabitable.
When you notice a fallen or dead tree, contact your landlord to make the proper repairs. Your main responsibility is to keep the premises clean, but you may be responsible for tree removal if you or your guests cause damage to a tree on the property resulting in the tree falling.
If you’re a landlord?
As the landlord, you are likely responsible for any fallen tree removal in Wake Forest. You are responsible for keeping the residential rental property fit for occupancy. This includes maintaining common areas and a safe environment for tenants.
When a tree falls onto the driveway, walkway, patio, or rental home, it can make the property unsafe. It should be removed promptly after the tenant informs you.
There are some reasons you may not be responsible for the removal of the tree and any resulting damage. If the tree falls due to the actions of a tenant or a neighbor, you may be able to collect damages from the responsible party. If the tree fell from a neighboring property, the neighbor may be responsible for the tree’s removal.
If you’re a neighbor?
As a neighbor, it can be difficult to determine who is responsible for tree removal. Trees may be on your property, your neighbor’s property, or a boundary tree that is shared by two homeowners.
When a tree falls from your property onto a neighbor’s property, it is your responsibility to remove the tree and pay for any damage. Your neighbor would be equally responsible if the tree falls from their property onto your property. You may be exempt from damage if the tree falls from your property due to a storm.
Boundary trees are shared by both property owners and should be cared for by both property owners. The property owner where the tree falls will pay for the removal and damage unless a neighbor’s actions resulted in the tree falling, such as cutting a large root supporting the tree.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Wake Forest?
Wake Forest has a diverse profile of soil throughout the area. It is mostly Cecil coarse sandy loam, with patches of Cecil clay loam, Louisa sandy loam, and Louisa clay loam. Cecil series soils are well-drained, but run off medium to rapidly. They are ideal for agricultural purposes but are also found in forests and pasture land.
Louisa series soils are ideal for growing hardwood trees, including shortleaf pine, loblolly, sourwood, dogwood, hickory, red, post, blackjack, and white oaks. The soil drains excessively and has moderate to rapid runoff properties. Either soil offers a good environment for growing various trees.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Wake Forest?
While hurricanes and storms are a common cause of fallen trees and limbs in Wake Forest several other weather events can affect the health of trees. North Carolina sees an average of 31 tornadoes each year. Tornadoes can cause costly damage to structures, trees, and other property. Tornadoes with the lowest wind speeds can break tree limbs, while the highest speed tornadoes can debark and uproot trees.
While precipitation throughout North Carolina is high compared to most of the US, Wake County tends to be drier than the rest of the state. Drought can be a problem for trees in Wake Forest, especially those trees with low survivability in dry conditions. Floods can also be a problem after a hurricane or long rainfall. Debris carried in floods can harm trees and are common in floodplain areas near Dunn and Richland Creeks.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Wake Forest?
Wake Electric Membership Corporation manages the power lines throughout the city and will remove dead trees in Wake Forest. The company does not encourage customers to remove trees from power lines or prune near power lines, as it can be extremely dangerous. If you see a down line, tipping tree, or branches near the power lines, don’t take matters into your own hands.
Wake Electric trims and prunes trees near the power lines year-round. They also respond to storm damage and will remove trees when they are informed by helpful customers like you. They also ask that when you dig or plant near the power lines, call 811 for assistance first.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Wake Forest?
The cost of tree removal in Wake Forest generally ranges between $300 and $2,000, but your total can vary based on several cost factors. The three primary factors that affect tree removal costs are:
Tree Size
The size of the tree has a major impact on the cost of tree removal in Wake Forest. Large trees take us more time to remove than small trees, so they are more costly to remove.
Large trees require more precautions to prevent the tree from falling onto any nearby property and require more clean-up and transportation to haul away debris.
Tree Location
The location of the tree can have an impact on the safety and efficiency of the tree’s removal. A tree in a clearing with no nearby obstructions will be less costly to remove than a tree near a busy roadway.
Trees near power lines may require involvement from the power company, and trees near a home that may be damaged require more precautions to prevent the tree from falling onto the home. An area with foot traffic or children nearby will also require increased security to ensure passersby do not enter the work area.
Underlying Conditions
The conditions that resulted in the removal of the tree are an important factor in the cost of the tree’s removal. Trees may be standing, fallen, diseased, or infested with pests.
When we remove a fallen tree, it is typically less expensive than removing a standing tree. Standing trees have falling branches and the tree trunk can fall onto nearby homes, fences, and vehicles. They require more time, labor, and precautions to remove.
If a tree has a disease or pest infestation, we need to make sure it will not spread to nearby trees. We may need to remove the pests before removing the tree or treat nearby trees for fungus and disease.
