Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Waynesville?
- 2 Does the City of Waynesville Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Waynesville?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Waynesville?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Waynesville?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Waynesville?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Waynesville?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Waynesville?
The North Carolina Forest Service claims that forest insects are responsible for killing a vast amount of trees in the region. If you are noticing signs of infestation, there is a good chance one of the insects listed below is the culprit.
Defoliators: These are insects that feed on the leaves and needles of trees. Damage occurs when the chlorophyll is stripped from the foliage, destroying the process of photosynthesis. The trees become stressed and more susceptible to further attack from varying diseases and other insects. Over time, defoliation can kill a tree. Signs to look for include leaves with holes in them, thin crowns, and an overall lack of foliage. This type of insect includes Gypsy Moths, bagworms, and webworms. If you notice caterpillars on the tree, most likely defoliators are present.
Bark Borers: Insects often bore into the bark of the tree to reproduce or feed. They strip the inner layer of the bark, known as phloem, ridding the tree’s ability to transport nutrients for healthy growth. Bark boring beetles are responsible for destroying an abundance of trees in Waynesville. The Forest Service explains, “once beetles overcome tree defenses and bore into the phloem to lay eggs, there is little hope a tree will survive.” Small holes in the bark are an indication that adult beetles are laying eggs. If foliage begins turning red or yellow prematurely, the tree may be under attack from these invaders.
Wood Borers: Pests such as the Emerald Ash Borer, Sawyer Beetles, and Sirex Woodwasp are responsible for causing wood decay and discoloration. The larvae dig holes deep into the tree and feed on the inner bark. While not directly responsible for causing death to the tree, these invaders can introduce fungi that can result in significant tree rot. If you think your tree has been exposed to wood borers, peel back the bark and look for holes and tunnels in the inner bark.
Seedling, Twig and Bud Pests: Some insects arbitrarily only attack seedlings or the young tissues of small twigs and buds. Pests such as Twig Girdlers, White Pine Weevils, and Tip Moths can destroy the seedlings or cause disfiguration in larger trees.
Piercing / Sucking Insects: These insects starve a tree, depleting it of the carbohydrates needed for photosynthesis to occur. They also carry pathogens that can lead to tree death. The result is unsightly and is a known destroyer of Christmas tree farms in Waynesville. While hard to detect, signs of infestation include thin foliage lacking its usual green color and a decline in the overall health of the tree.
Does the City of Waynesville Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
If you have a tree that shows signs of infestation or disease, the only option may be to remove it from your property. Our arborists can help you determine if the tree is deemed hazardous. Broken branches and cracks in the trunk can be sure signs of damage that can create a risk.
The town of Waynesville does not offer direct assistance with tree removal. For trees that are encroaching on electric lines, the power companies have standards in place to assist residents with hazardous trees.
As a general rule, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to remove damaged or dying trees from their property.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Waynesville?
Knowing the condition of the trees on your property is essential to keeping everyone safe. A tree that unexpectedly falls can result in significant damage. Also, before taking down a tree in your yard, it is a good idea to understand who is responsible for the costs.
If you’re a homeowner?
North Carolina General Assembly Statute 14-128 states, “Where a landowner knows that he has a tree on his property which is in a dangerous condition and which is likely to fall and injure the property of an adjoining landowner, he has a duty to eliminate such danger.”
As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to maintain all trees and landscaping on your property. Your insurance company will typically cover any damages incurred by a fallen tree, assuming there were no previous issues.
If you’re a renter?
Occupants of rental properties are not responsible for tree removal. It is the sole responsibility of the landlord. If a tree falls, contact the owner of the property to coordinate removal efforts and debris cleanup.
Tenants are encouraged to obtain rental insurance to protect their personal property from unforeseen damage from a fallen tree.
If you’re a landlord?
In North Carolina, as in most states, the landlord is obligated to handle all issues regarding a fallen tree on a rental property. The occupant of the dwelling has no responsibility to assist in the cleanup efforts following the incident.
By law, landlords must provide a safe and inhabitable dwelling for all tenants. Any issues with a fallen tree must be addressed immediately, especially if the tree is obstructing access or causing a safety hazard.
If you’re a neighbor?
North Carolina law states, “compensation may not be obtained for losses, damage, or harm suffered as a result of an act of God.” So, if a tree from a neighboring property falls into your yard or vice versa, and there was no “human intervention,” then no one is held responsible.
In other words, if you could not have reasonably predicted the incident, you are not at fault. However, if there is negligence in that the owner of the fallen tree knew there was an issue and did nothing to rectify the problem before it fell, they are held responsible for all resulting damages.
The insurance policy of the homeowner that incurred damages will typically cover the claim. The claim could be denied if there is evidence of prior problems that were not addressed.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Waynesville?
According to the USDA, there are 19 classified types of soil in Haywood County. Each species is characteristic of the region.
The most common soil composition is Cecil Soil, found on more than 1.6 million acres in the state. The Cecil series is moderately permeable, well-drained, and very deep. Often found on upland ridges and side slopes, the soil comes from metamorphic rocks.
The soil found in Waynesville is well suited for growing many types of trees, such as the dogwood, which produces the state’s flower. Tree roots, free of obstruction, grow heartily in the aerated ground.
Proper drainage and pH level are essential in providing a healthy environment for a growing tree. If you have a tree that is not thriving, the soil content could be to blame. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services offers free soil analyses that will help you determine the condition of the soil on your property.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Waynesville?
The climate in Waynesville is temperate, influenced by the high altitude, with the region sitting 2,750 feet above sea level.
Summers are short, with cool nights and moderate daytime temperatures. Winters are not severe, with an average of only 30 days of snow cover. Frequent rain in the region contributes to a hearty growing season for crops.
Trees take advantage of the North Carolina weather patterns and are only endangered by the occasional violent storm. High winds and torrential rain can bring down branches and sometimes trees, depending upon the storm’s force.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Waynesville?
The electric service in Waynesville is publicly owned, servicing more than 3,000 residential and commercial customers. Santee-Cooper provides a wholesale contract to the town. For those outside the service area, Duke Energy and Haywood EMC provide electrical service.
The Santee-Cooper Right of Way Management Department oversees boundary widths for trees and limbs that may encroach on electrical lines, regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). They are also responsible for removing “hazard trees” that are “characterized as dead, dying, diseased, or damaged trees.”
Duke Energy will review requests for tree trimming only if a primary power line is affected. If a fallen tree or branch touches a power line, an emergency team will be dispatched immediately. If you have a tree encroaching on a service line, we can contact the power company to turn off the line– at no cost–so we can complete the tree work safely. It is the responsibility of the property owner to keep the line clear of trees.
Haywood EMC is on an eight-year rotation for tree trimming, allocating $1 million of their budget for maintaining a 40-foot right-of-way width on more than 2,000 miles of overhead lines.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Waynesville?
The average cost to remove a tree in Waynesville is approximately $585, with costs typically ranging from $200 to $2,200, depending upon several varying factors.
Size of Tree
The biggest contributing factor to tree removal is the size of the tree itself. The taller the tree, the more labor-intensive it becomes for our crews to remove it safely and efficiently. Our arborists will measure the height and diameter of the trunk to determine the cost before starting the job.
Required Resources
A small crew can easily handle the removal of an average-sized tree. The more complicated the job, the higher the cost. A larger team is needed when we remove taller trees. Hard-to-reach areas of the property also present a challenge and will result in a higher price for removal. If special equipment, such as a crane, is required, there will be an additional surcharge.
In Waynesville, the city ordinance states, “the town shall at no time remove or assist in the removal of stumps resulting from the clearing of property of any kind.” It is also unlawful to put a tree stump in the town landfill. If you want the stump removed during tree removal, there is typically a $150 surcharge.
Accessibility
The cost will be higher for a tree located in a hard-to-access area of the property. Neighboring property lines, buildings, fences, and other obstacles present a challenge to our crews working on tree removal. A tree that has already fallen will cost significantly less.