Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Columbus?
- 2 Does the City of Columbus Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Columbus?
- 4 How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Columbus?
- 5 Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Columbus?
- 6 What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Columbus?
- 7 How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Columbus?
What Are the Most Common Tree Issues in Columbus?
Trees in Columbus, Georgia have to deal with the summer heat and humidity, and one common issue is when trees from further north are planted. This is a particular issue with the popular red maple. Red maples are native to Georgia but have a broad range, and in some cases, specimens from New England are moved south. Overbred cultivars are another issue. A serious problem is verticillium wilt, which also affects other trees. It’s caused by a fungal infection of the tree’s xylem, which carries water through the tree. Think of it as the tree’s circulatory system. The fungus prevents water flow and causes the plant to wilt. An acute infection can kill a tree quite quickly, and the fungus stays in the soil; it’s important to replace a tree killed by verticillium wilt with a more resistant species. Trees tend to show signs of infection when under stress.
Another issue that can affect your trees is an invasive species, the Asian longhorned beetle. Because it’s invasive, local trees have no protection from it. If you find an infestation, you will need to talk to our tree removal specialists so the infected tree can be removed without spreading it to others.
The state tree of Georgia is the live oak. Thankfully, oak wilt is rare in Georgia. However, both oaks and maples are vulnerable to anthracnose, a fungal infection that causes lesions on the leaves and sometimes twig dieback. Anthracnose is not a particular danger to trees, although it is unsightly. Raking leaves and proper pruning help prevent it. More of a risk to live oak is bacterial leaf scorch, which looks a lot like drought stress and often shows up in late summer. In some cases, removal might be recommended to control it.
The best way to avoid common tree issues is to ensure that your trees get enough water and are not placed under a lot of stress. If in doubt, talk to our experts.
Does the City of Columbus Provide Any Assistance in Tree Removal Problems?
The city of Columbus Public Works takes care of planting, pruning, and removal of trees in rights of way. They do not prune or remove trees on private property. Unlike in many cities, there are no overall tree preservation ordinances that might require a permit for tree removal or specifically require replanting.
However, this also means that the city does not provide specific assistance and that removing a dangerous tree is entirely the responsibility of the person on whose property the tree is growing.
Who Is Responsible for Fallen Tree Removal in Columbus?
In Columbus, responsibility for tree removal falls squarely on the owner of the land. Unfortunately, this often causes disputes between neighbors (especially if a tree is growing right up through the fence line, as can happen).
If a tree has fallen after a storm, then if it is on public property, it will be removed by the city. Otherwise, the city will inform the landowner of the need to remove the tree.
If you’re a homeowner?
If you own your home, then you have full responsibility for the costs of any tree removal. In most cases, however, the costs will be covered by your homeowners’ insurance, including the costs of any damage to your home, fence, garage, etc. However, you may find that the cost of tree removal is not covered if it causes no damage.
Most policies don’t cover damage if a tree falls due to disease or age, making it imperative to remove diseased trees promptly. It’s a good idea to get your trees a regular check-up, especially if you are seeing browning or yellowing of leaves through the summer.
Other than that, you are unfortunately on your own. The best thing to do is check your homeowners’ insurance policy and go from there.
If you’re a renter?
Georgia landlord-tenant law includes a clause that says tenants cannot cut or destroy growing trees. Tree maintenance is thus, perforce, the responsibility of the landlord. Your lease should not give you any responsibility for tree removal. It is your landlord’s responsibility to remove fallen trees and pay for them. However, they may hold you responsible if they think you were somehow responsible (such as if the tree fell because you backed your truck into it). In this case, your landlord is within their rights to seek a judgment or settlement from you.
It’s your responsibility to tell your landlord promptly if a tree is damaged or diseased and work with them to ensure that the tree is properly treated, or, if necessary, removed.
If you’re a landlord?
Again, landlords have full responsibility for tree removal and maintenance, including pruning and trimming. This covers all properties you own, and it does include single-family homes where you might think it is reasonable to leave it to the tenant.
You also have a responsibility to keep the property in good repair, and that means taking care of trees and arranging for the removal of diseased trees before they damage your property or that of your tenant. Your tenant’s renter’s insurance might balk at a claim for a fallen tree that was diseased. However, you are not specifically required to inspect or prune trees. You should, though, take care of any issue reported to you by one of your tenants.
If you’re a neighbor?
Tree disputes make for poor neighbors. The owner of the tree is determined by where the trunk grows, not by any roots or branches. If the property line goes through the trunk, then you should proactively work with your neighbor to determine who owns the tree and ideally work with them to keep it healthy. Your neighbor has the right to remove branches that overhang their property, but it’s always best to communicate about these things.
You are liable for damages and injuries from a falling tree only if you know the tree is diseased or decayed. Otherwise, your neighbor’s home insurance policy should cover it. If a tree falls and affects both properties, you will need to open strong lines of communication to ensure that there is no conflict.
How Does the Soil Affect Trees in Columbus?
The soil type in Muskogee County, where Columbus is located, varies substantially. The county itself is split between the Southern Piedmont, the Sand Hills, and the Southern Coastal Plain. This results in a spread of soil types, however, loamy and clayey soils tend to dominate, with sloping areas in the uplands being moderately to well-drained.
It’s important to know what soil type you have, which can be determined by looking at soil surveys, or better yet, by having a soil test done. If planting trees, you should take the soil type into account (planting native trees is often the easiest way to handle this). Understanding the specific type of soil on your property also allows you to know if your trees need any extra help to stay healthy.
One thing to be aware of is that proximity to wetlands and heavy clay layers can both result in rooting restrictions, which can reduce the overall size of the tree. Breaking up clay layers before planting a tree can help.
Does Weather Affect Tree Health in Columbus?
The climate in Columbus, GA is considered warm and temperate, with a lot of rain even in the driest month. The month with the highest rainfall is typically July. This results in warm, humid summers that can put heat stress on your trees. Trees start to experience heat stress at temperatures of over 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heat stress is caused both directly by the temperature and indirectly by water transport issues. Just like us, trees get thirsty when it is hot, using extra water for cooling. Mulching in the spring can reduce heat stress, but again, planting native trees when possible is the best option, as they are adapted to the climate.
What If Dead Trees Are Near Power Lines in Columbus?
You should report dead trees that are near or threatening power lines to Georgia Power. This includes dead trees which are on your own property.
Although you are responsible for all issues with your trees in Columbus, removing dead trees from on or near power lines requires specific expertise and may require that the power lines are de-energized for safety. Thus, you should not attempt to remove the dead tree yourself, but should call the power company and also talk to a tree removal expert about getting the issue fixed as soon as possible.
How Much Does Tree Removal Usually Cost in Columbus?
The typical cost of tree removal in Columbus, GA, ranges from $260 to $1,150. This varies according to how difficult the job is and how long it is likely to take. Tree removal is generally not a cheap thing. There are also some contributing factors that can increase the cost, which we’ll discuss below.
How easy is it to get to the tree you are getting removed? Are we going to need heavy equipment such as a crane or a bucket truck? Is the tree on a structure? All of these can increase the cost of getting your tree removed. Steep slopes can impact accessibility substantially.
The larger the tree, the longer it takes to remove, and thus, the higher the cost. Unfortunately, there’s no “bulk discount” on tree removal size. In Columbus, GA, the typical costs are:
- 20-foot tree: $180 to $340
- 40-foot tree: $360 to $680
- 60-foot tree: $540 to $1,020
- 80-foot tree: $720 to $1,360
And this is, of course, still affected by accessibility and other cost factors
Other Cost Factors
Here are some other things which can make your tree removal more expensive:
- Active power lines close to the tree. This may require the assistance of your utility company.
- The tree is in poor condition or fragile and might break up when the removal attempt is made.
- You need service quickly (such as if the tree is about to fall on your garage), especially if it’s a weekend or holiday.
Labor ranges from $166 to $221 per hour, assuming a typical three-person crew. Keep all of this in mind when budgeting or setting aside money against future tree removal costs.