AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Okatie, SC

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Okatie?

In between the counties of Beaufort and Jasper in South Carolina lies a small, beautiful coastal town of Okatie. With a population of just about 16,078, it is one of the quieter towns in the region. You’ll especially appreciate its nautical appeal, meaning that some of its areas have that historic feel. This, coupled with the ocean and tidal water bodies, like bays and inlets, makes for a breathtaking scenery. Locals and visitors alike frequent these areas for waterfront activities and sightseeing.

If you are a friend of trees, you’ll also appreciate the general overall landscape of Okatie. It is riddled with a wealth of Sabal Palm, Sabal palmetto trees, Willow oak, and Black Tupelo which are native to the state of South Carolina. 

But like most other tree-inhabited areas, there are a few tree issues you can expect to experience. The most common in Okatie include:

Pests and Diseases

Like most regions with a high tree population in South Carolina, the trees in Okatie are vulnerable to various pests and diseases, some of which entirely damage or kill off the tree. They include:

Oak Leaf Blister

Oak leaf blister is perhaps one of the most common diseases affecting species of oak trees. It presents itself as blister-like patches, which appear on the tree’s leaves. They usually start off with a green color noticeably lighter than its surrounding tissues, which later turns brown. 

The blister is caused by a fungus called Taphrina caerulescens. It secretes a substance that causes the infected leaf tissue to overgrow. The fungus is quite resilient and can survive through the winter. It grows fast, producing spores inside the leaf up until the cuticle ruptures. Dispersal of spores happens in the fall.

The good thing is that Oak leaf blisters are not severe enough to need aggressive control measures. You can try applying a fungicide before the buds break. Also, during fall, make sure to rake up any fallen leaves to prevent the infection from spreading.

Bacterial Leaf Scorch

The bacterial leaf scorch is another disease that affects oak trees. Caused by a bacterium called Xylella Fastidiosa, the disease causes a disruption of water movement within the plant. In turn, this leads to a reduction in vigor, reddening, followed by the browning, and falling of leaves, and eventually death. 

The trees usually decline gradually and may take 5-20 years before needing to be removed. Other than oaks, Bacterial leaf scorch can also cause a lot of damage to red, sugar, and silver maples, elm, hackberry, and sweet gum trees. 

To treat the disease, your best bet would be to remove all the infected trees and then replant more resistant tree species.

Other popular diseases you’ll likely see include:

• Southern Pine Beetles
• Ambrosia Beetles
• Scale
• Anthracnose
• Armillaria root rot

On discovery, it is imperative that you come up with a treatment plan that can eradicate the disease while preventing any future outbreaks. For this, our arborists are usually best solution for the problem. They have vast knowledge in the science of plant diseases, control, and prevention thereby quick at developing an appropriate treatment plan.

Blockages of Drain Pipes by Tree Roots

Other than diseases and pests, tree roots are also commonly known to encroach on drain pipes. They are usually attracted to the nutrients in the wastewater, such as phosphorus. 

Because of this, you might experience blockages or clogging in your water pipes and drains. The damage can extend to drain fields and septic tanks. In extreme cases, you’ll need to cut down the tree to save your pipes.

Does the City of Okatie Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?

Due to the dwindling forest habitat for wildlife in the region, the city of Okatie, in general, doesn’t advocate for tree removal. In fact, efforts are in place to preserve the trees, while encouraging the community to plant more. However, assistance will likely be provided if a tree is a threat to the surrounding area residents. The city can also come in if the tree falls outside the borders of your home.

If you choose to do the removal yourself, the city has a set of ordinances indicating which tree is eligible for removal. A permit will usually be needed depending on the location and size of the tree; however, there are exceptions on some special circumstances whereby you can remove the tree without necessarily getting a permit.

They include, instances where the tree is:

• Dead
• Planted too close to your home
• Considered insignificant due to its tiny size
• Infected or structurally unsafe
• Not endangered or threatened

You can also remove the tree if it makes it impossible to use or access the property or if adjustments can’t be made to save the tree without losing a lot of floor area. Also, if the tree is posing a real hazard to the safety of your neighborhoods and needs to be removed as quickly as possible. 

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Okatie?

This is majorly determined by where the tree fell exactly. If it has fallen within the confines of your private property, it will be your responsibility to remove the tree and restore any damages. While this might sound simple and straightforward, the uphill task is usually figuring out exactly who is liable for the damage.

The situation also varies depending on the nature of ownership as regards the property. Let’s look at how it is treated from the three major perspectives.

If you’re a homeowner?

As you may have guessed, as a homeowner, the tree removal expenses and other related responsibilities are fully on you. Homeowner, in this case, is the person owning the surrounding property, land, and trees included. 

This is why you are always advised to do regular tree maintenance, like pruning, to get rid of any trees that are likely to fall due to disease or over severe weather conditions like high wind or thunderstorms.

If you’re a renter?

Unless your rental agreement states that it is your responsibility, tenants are usually exempted from the removal of fallen trees from the property. However, if you actively participated in damaging the tree, and it fell later, you might be held responsible for paying for any damages it caused.

If you’re a landlord?

As a landlord, there is a fair share of responsibilities that come with renting out your property. You have to offer a sense of security to the client, which means keeping them free from hazards. Falling trees are an example of such hazards.

For this reason, you are required to constantly enact preventative maintenance measures to reduce the risks of trees falling. Likewise, it is up to you to handle the removal of trees in case it falls down. 

Next to maintenance, you will be just as responsible for removing the tree if it falls down.

If you’re a neighbor?

Now, we’ve established that homeowners and landlords are responsible for fallen trees on their property and any related damages. But what if your neighbor’s tree fell on your property, who is responsible?

Well, regardless of where the tree is rooted, the fact is that it ended up in your yard, and whether you like it or not, it is in your best interests to have it out as soon as possible. Essentially, this makes it your responsibility.

Some neighbors avoid misunderstandings by coming to an agreement in advance on who will handle or pay for the fallen tree. Others split the bill for maintenance of trees bordering property lines and their removal in case of anything.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Okatie?

Any farmer or agricultural enthusiasts worth their spade will tell you that soil plays one of the most fundamental roles in the health of plants. It is what provides nutrients and water that will make them strong.

Now, the soil in Okatie is mainly sandy and light, although it can be a sandy loam in some regions, which is perfect for gardening and tree growing. We also have regions near the Okatie river area where the soil has deep groundwater. Various species of oaks will flourish in such regions due to their deep roots.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Okatie?

It is no secret that trees, like all other plants, need steady rainfall to grow to their full potential. However, too much moisture or downpour without proper drainage can cause more harm than good. This common occurrence in Okatie can lead to the growth of bacteria and fungi, which spreads really fast to neighboring trees. One common issue due to a lot of rainfall is root rot, which is encouraged by moisture and rainfall.

Okatie generally has a humid subtropical climate. It has mild winters and hot, humid summers, practically favorable all year round. In general, this allows trees to grow better and flourish. The region, however, sometimes experiences strong winds, which might affect the smaller trees.

What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Okatie?

It doesn’t take an electrician to know that dead trees and power lines do not go well together. If the dead trees fall or entangle in the live lines, they can cause short circuits and power outages, among other hazardous electrical situations. It is even worse if it is a large tree, which can profoundly increase the severity of the damage.

If this is the case, you’d best stay away from trying to handle dead trees positioned near power lines. Instead, you want to contact your respective Okatie power utility company.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Okatie?

Your typical tree removal service in Okatie will cost you anywhere from $400 — $1,000. However, in reality, the cost tends to vary and can be as low as $200 or as high as $2,200. It can go higher or lower depending on a range of factors. The most fundamental ones include:

Height and Width of the Tree

Naturally, taller and wider trees will require more effort and time to cut down than the smaller ones. If you have a larger tree, you can expect to be charged more to get the job done.

Location of the Tree

The tree’s position also greatly influences how easy or hard it will be to remove them. Those in hard-to-reach spots like near power lines or buildings might need more delicate techniques, which in turn might require different equipment to prevent any damage to your property. This can all result in an overall larger cost of removal.

Extra Services Rendered

The removal of a tree can sometimes need some follow-up services after the tree has been taken down. For instance, if the reason for cutting it was a pest or disease problem, we’ll likely need to treat all surrounding trees to prevent the spread of infection. 

While you might be charged extra for these services, they prevent any need to remove more trees in the future, which might end up keeping even more money in your pocket.