AFFORDABLE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE IN Verona, WI

What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Verona? 

With our vibrant community theatre and concerts in the Park series, our wealth of trails and ice rinks, and a busy public library, Verona is filled with ways we can enjoy our small-town feel while still being close to everything a city offers. In addition, our breweries and wineries support our lively dining scene, altogether making Hometown USA a desirable and increasingly popular place to live. High homeownership rates mean we tend to take good care of our properties here and that includes maintaining our landscaping and our trees. Conditions in Verona are excellent for encouraging healthy tree growth, but sadly, many trees eventually require removal, especially those harmed by insect pests, disease, and other damage.

Tree Diseases

While tree diseases are a fairly common affliction, some are more aggressive and more likely to kill our beloved trees. 

• Heterobasidion Root Disease — Once called Annosum Root Rot, heterobasidion root disease (HBD) is caused by an easily spread fungus and causes a “circle of death” as it spreads from one evergreen to others nearby. While not confirmed in Dane County yet, nearly all of our neighboring counties have detected it, so it is only a matter of time before it arrives to kill many of our pines, spruces, firs, and cedars.
• Oak Wilt — Common in southern Wisconsin, oak wilt is a type of fungus that prevents a tree from moving water through its structure, frequently killing red and black oaks, though white oaks may survive infections. 

Insect Pests

Many of the insect invaders that attack our trees have arrived here unintentionally with nursery stock or when timber or firewood is transported. Two of the most damaging ones we most frequently encounter around Verona are:

• Emerald Ash Borer — A relatively new insect invader, emerald ash borers (EAB) have spread since their initial arrival in the US in Detroit, killing millions of ash trees as they expand their range. Ash trees are one of the most common hardwood trees in many US cities and towns — the City of Verona alone has over 500 public ash trees — with countless more in yards and surrounding areas. EAB infestations destroy the pathways through which trees transport water and nutrients and can kill affected trees in a matter of weeks to months.
• Bronze Birch Borer — Stands of white birch trees are a familiar and welcome sight across Wisconsin, but they, and other species of birch, are under attack by the bronze birch borer. As many insect pests do, they block a tree from moving water and nutrients through its vascular system. Healthy trees may survive an infestation, but more vulnerable trees are likely to die. 

Environmental Conditions

During most of the year, our weather provides plenty of sunshine, warmth, and rain to encourage thriving tree growth. When winter arrives, however, our often heavy snows can weigh down limbs and branches which can be particularly hard on trees with a split trunk or other structural aspects which can make them more susceptible to damage.

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

The City of Verona maintains over 3,000 public trees across the area, along streets, and in parks and other public spaces. Unfortunately, the city can’t help directly with removing a tree growing on private property, unless it poses an immediate risk to public safety or if the fallen tree is a city-owned tree where sometimes city crews may be able to help. The city can assist you, though, if you trim your trees and have small limbs and branches needed to be removed. The Verona Public Works Department offers two brush pickup dates each month to help out though brush left by contractors or a tree service is not eligible for city pickup. 

Who Is Responsible For Fallen Tree Removal in Verona?

In Wisconsin, as in most states, the responsibility for a fallen tree’s removal depends in large part on the tree’s health before it fell. Healthy trees usually only fall as the result of severe weather and are normally the responsibility of the property owner where the tree falls. If a tree was dead or visibly in poor condition, the responsibility for a tree’s removal instead usually lies with the tree’s owner. 

If you’re a homeowner?

As a homeowner, you are generally responsible, along with your insurance company, if a healthy tree falls into your property, regardless of where the tree grew. If a dead or a dying tree falls on your property, it may be the tree owner who is responsible instead. If the tree was your neighbor’s and you can prove they knew about its poor condition and they did not take care of it, their negligence may also mean their insurance company won’t pay out on claims related to it. 

If you’re a renter?

If you rent your home, you are rarely liable for removing a fallen tree on your property. That responsibility normally lies with your landlord. It’s a good idea, though, to keep an eye on the trees there and on neighboring lots, so you can alert your landlord to any issues and help prevent problems.

If you’re a landlord?

Landlords are normally responsible for tree removal along the same lines that homeowners are. Proper tree maintenance on any properties you rent out is a great way to be a good landlord to your tenants.

If you’re a neighbor?

If your neighbor’s tree falls onto your property during a storm, as long as the tree was healthy, you and your insurance company are generally on the hook for its removal. If you own a dead or dying tree and it falls on your neighbor’s property, you may be responsible for its removal. Even if you aren’t responsible, for example, and if your healthy tree falls on your neighbor’s lot during a storm, you might want to offer to help with the cost of its removal as one way of being a good neighbor.

How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Verona?

Soil is generally made up of three main parts: silt, sand, and clay. Soils, which have a particular ratio of the three (about 40% each of silt and sand and about 20% clay), produce a soil called loam which is an excellent one for plant and tree growth. Most of the soil around Verona is a silt loam which is close to ideal for tree growth as our shady streets and tree-filled parks and yards bear witness.

Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Verona?

For the most part, Verona’s weather offers everything that trees need for healthy, vibrant growth. The only real threat our trees have from the weather during most of the year is when severe storms and the occasional tornado pass through. In winter, our typical 50 inches of snow can weigh heavily on tree limbs and branches, damaging trees that can’t sustain the extra load. Proper tree pruning and maintenance can limit the damage any weather can cause your trees by helping to balance limbs and branches and remove weak or compromised parts.

What if Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Verona?

Trees falling on power lines are one of the main causes of power outages, so Alliant Energy trims trees around primary transmission lines (pole to pole) on a four to five-year cycle around Verona to help prevent these kinds of power interruptions. Homeowners are responsible for any problematic trees near their service lines (from the pole to your house). While it can feel invasive to have a tree on your property trimmed back to protect electric transmission lines, Alliant performs the work according to best practices. They have even been awarded a Tree Utility USA recognition from National Arbor Day Foundation for public education, tree planting, and quality tree care. If you notice a tree at risk of causing power line issues, you can contact Alliant at 800-255-4268. If you are adding or replacing a tree on your property that is near utility lines, Alliant suggests you follow Right Tree Right Place guidelines to select a tree that won’t interfere with the lines when fully grown.

How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Verona?

Having a tree removed sounds like a large and expensive project to many homeowners, but around Verona, the average tree removal job we do only costs around $600. However, your cost could fall anywhere between $150 and $2,200. Every tree and the place it grows can vary widely, though, and making an accurate estimate for the work can be difficult until we can look at your specific situation. There are some factors, though, which most commonly influence the cost of a tree’s removal.

Type & Size of the Tree

It probably comes as no surprise that the bigger the tree, the bigger the cost to remove it. You may not know, however, that the type of tree can make a difference in the cost, too. Harder, denser trees that are common around Verona such as sugar maple and red oak require more work for us to remove and that can directly affect your costs.

Tree Location & Accessibility

When we remove a tree from your property, our goal is to do it with as little disruption as possible. That includes working around parts of your property we need to protect, including your home, garage, swimming pool, play equipment, patio, other trees, utility lines, and, of course, your neighbors’ properties, too. The more we need to work around, the more expensive the work may be. If it is difficult to get any necessary equipment close to the tree, that may add time and labor, also affecting the cost of its removal.

Added Equipment & Services

Sometimes, we need some specialized equipment to remove your tree, and if that’s the case, there may be additional expenses included. Many homeowners ask us to do some extra work with their tree removals such as cutting and splitting logs for firewood or stump grinding. Additional services and having work done outside of normal business hours can also affect your bottom line.