Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Pickerington?
- 2 Does the City of Pickerington Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Pickerington?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Pickerington?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Pickerington?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Pickerington?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Pickerington?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Pickerington?
Tree diseases, invasive pest infestations, weather-related damage, and more can all present significant dangers to your trees and the surrounding area. Some of the most common tree issues in Pickerington include:
Emerald Ash Borers
These borers are invasive pests that are devastating ash tree populations across the United States. Emerald ash borers burrow into ash trees and eat the membrane between the tree’s bark and the underlying wood, and they spread quickly from tree to tree. Infested trees are fatally damaged or dead within five years and there’s little that you can do to protect a tree once it’s been infested. Oftentimes, cutting down the tree and removing it before the infestation spreads throughout your property is the best way to prevent the spread.
Diplodia Tip Blight
This fungal condition affects pine trees in the Pickerington area. The underlying fungus attacks young trees and even mature trees that are stressed by drought, infestations, or other infections. It’s particularly difficult to halt when pine trees grow in concentrated clusters, such as in nurseries. Affected pines have premature dieback, or brown, poorly growing branch tips. Pine trees can survive infections but are vulnerable to repeated infections throughout their lifespans that deform them and make them more vulnerable to deadly infections.
Oak Wilt
Oak wilt is caused by Bretziel fagacearum, a fungus that has spread across most of Ohio. It causes a vascular tree infection that “plugs” the water vessels within the tree, making the tree dehydrated, and eventually, wilted. White oak varieties can tolerate the fungus better, lasting one or more years after infection, but red and black oak trees can become severely compromised by the pathogen and die within a couple of weeks. The clearest sign of infection is large patches or entire crowns of browning leaves.
Sudden Oak Death
Oak trees in Pickerington and the surrounding area are vulnerable to a fungus called Phytophthora ramorum. This fungal infection spreads across oak trees. As the infection sets in, the trees start to “bleed” a viscous red fluid. They also become more vulnerable to infestations of ambrosia beetles. The combination leads to Sudden Oak Death.
Phytophthora ramorum can also affect other tree species, such as bay laurels, but they tend to just experience some leaf blight.
Does the City of Pickerington Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
Pickerington is active in the Tree City USA program and has a Tree Initiative Program to promote the growth and planting of new trees. However, it does not provide direct assistance for tree removal on private land. Fairfield County does manage tree removal projects on public land and around county roads that present a hazard or safety issue for drivers, structures, and pedestrians. If you see a nuisance tree or an overgrowing tree that’s interfering with the safety of a road or intersection, we recommend contacting Fairfield County for more information on how to report the issue and have the tree trimmed or removed. Under certain circumstances, tree removal requires a permit to be filed with Fairfield County.
Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Pickerington?
Trees can fall over due to bad weather, poor growth, and even negligence. When a tree falls over, it’s important for the responsible party to have it removed as soon as possible before infections or infestations set in. Fallen trees can also become eyesores or safety hazards if they stay on the property for too long. Read through these common scenarios to determine if you’re responsible for removing the tree or if someone else should handle it.
If you’re a homeowner?
When a tree falls onto your property, whether the tree was originally yours or not, you are responsible for arranging for its removal. However, your insurance provider may assume responsibility for arranging the removal service or paying all or a fraction of the costs. When a tree falls over on your property, we recommend taking pictures of the tree (and any damage it caused) and then contacting your insurance provider about the next steps.
If you’re a renter?
Because you’re renting the property, you’re not responsible for grounds’ maintenance tasks like tree removal. Instead, you can notify your landlord about the issue and any structural damage that may have occurred when the tree fell. Also, if the tree damaged any of your personal property, your renter’s insurance provider may cover some or all of the related costs.
If you’re a landlord?
Landlords are responsible for maintaining the grounds and removing fallen trees, even if a tenant lives on the property. However, the property’s insurance provider may cover all or some of the tree removal costs. We recommend reaching out to your insurance provider quickly so you can arrange for fast tree removal. This can protect your property from further damage and limit the risk of accidents and injuries on your property.
If you’re a neighbor?
When one of your neighbor’s trees falls onto your property, you’re responsible for arranging tree removal. The only exception is if your neighbor was negligent or didn’t provide reasonable maintenance of the tree to keep it from falling over. Whether negligence, an accident, or bad weather led to the tree falling over, your insurance company may help with the costs or the process.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Pickerington?
Most of Fairfield County is home to Bennington-Cardington-Centerburg soil, though the borders of the county have more varied soil types. The region’s soil is suitable to feed livestock rather than forestry, and the soil has a coarse grain. However, it’s also a well-draining soil that promotes strong root development and relatively easy access to water and nutrients throughout the soil. The soil is generally loamy and contains a lot of lime, which stops the soil from becoming too acidic for strong tree growth.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Pickerington?
Pickerington’s weather is generally advantageous for tree growth. The area receives 40 inches of rain per year, slightly higher than the average rainfall of 38 inches across the United States, which gives trees plenty of hydration throughout the seasons.
During the winter, there are around 21 inches of snow per year. This can be slightly dangerous for young or deformed trees that can’t support the weight of sudden, severe snowfall, and we recommend that residents inspect their trees after each snowfall to check for cracked or damaged trunks and branches. This can make the trees dangerous to nearby structures or people and untreated cracks can be susceptible to infestations or infection in the following spring.
However, the weather is generally mild throughout summer, reaching July high of 86°F and it can be moderately cold in the winter with January lows of approximately 20°F. Provided you monitor your trees for damage after severe weather, your trees should grow to be healthy and tall.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Pickerington?
South Central Power provides electricity to Pickerington. Not only do they provide power and maintain the power lines, but the company also trims, prunes, or even removes trees that present a risk to the power lines. This is because overgrown trees can cause power outages and significant damage to the infrastructure. If you see a dead tree leaning against or near the power lines, we recommend leaving the area rather than attempting to remove or shift the trees yourself. Instead, contact South Central Power to report the issue.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Pickerington?
Every tree removal project is slightly different and that can affect the total cost. For example, removing a still-standing tree that’s infested with emerald ash borers can be significantly more expensive than removing a rotted tree that fell over some time ago. Most removals cost between $200 and $1,900, with an average around $700. Once we arrive on-site, we can provide a detailed estimate before beginning to remove the tree.
Some of the most important cost factors we consider include:
The Size of the Tree
Bigger trees are more expensive to remove than smaller trees because they require more resources, equipment, and time to handle. Even if the tree has already fallen, our team will need to cut the tree into pieces that can be safely removed from your property and discarded. Larger trees also require more trucks to transport the trunk, branches, and foliage.
If You Need Immediate Tree Removal Services
Sometimes, contacting us and arranging tree removal is an emergency. After a severe wind storm, for example, your tree may have partially snapped branches or a partially split trunk that moves in the wind. In these circumstances, fast tree removal is recorded to protect the surrounding area and people from damage. We can provide 24/7 emergency tree removal during weekends and holidays.
However, the same weather event that damaged your tree may have also affected your neighbors and other properties across the city, causing a surge in demand and a shortage in availability. Prioritizing your tree removal may make the project more expensive, especially if it requires additional safety equipment and processes.
If You Want Additional Services
Many times, tree removal projects in Pickerington aren’t as simple as picking up the tree and removing it from your property. For example, the tree may still be standing and will need to be carefully cut down so it doesn’t risk adjacent structures or trees. If the tree is infested or infected, it may need to undergo containment processes to limit the risk of spread. You may also choose stump grinding or cleanup services if you’re removing the tree as part of a larger landscape remodeling project.
