When To Call An Arborist For A Tree Assessment

When to Get a Tree Assessment

With the intention of successfully assessing a tree, it should be examined at least twice a year; once in the winter season and once in the summer season. Throughout the winter, arborists can identify weakening branch structure, corrosion from animals, and possible decay since they are not covered by summer leaves.  Throughout the summer, arborists can examine the color of the leaves and the tree’s twig growth. Without having your trees adequately assessed could allow small issues to turn into serious problems that will impact the overall health of your trees.

Why You Should Get a Tree Assessment

An ordinary homeowner can’t locate possible issues with their trees like a certified and trained arborist.  An arborist can locate problems with disease, pests, and overall damage that will cause the state of the tree to become worse, potentially leading to a fallen tree.  A falling tree on your property is highly dangerous because it may result in major property damage in addition to serious injury or death.  Here are the primary reasons to get your trees assessed twice a year:

• Safety: A falling tree, or just a branch, is a significant risk on your property. Yearly tree assessments will point out issues that may cause a tree or branch to fall, greatly reducing that risk.
• Tree Aesthetics: Recommended treatments for diseases and insect infestations, fertilization, and pruning based on a tree assessment will help to enhance the aspect of the tree.
• Tree Health: The aftermath of disease and harmful pests may be easily missed by an individual who isn’t trained to find them. Professional arborists can quickly point out the signs of a disease or infestation and without delay provide the correct treatment.

What is Included in a Tree Assessment?

When a certified arborist carries out a tree assessment, they’re in general looking for the following problems:

• Cracks: Cracks on the tree are typical problems that arborists look for. Major cracks can split the bark, heartwood, and softwood, weakening the structural strength of the tree and making it susceptible to insects, decay, and disease.
• Leaning: When the tree roots lose their connection to the soil; the tree could begin to lean. If the lean continually gets worse season after season, the tree will have to be removed.
• Issues with Root Plate: Degradation or softening of the root plate may lead to a separation with the lateral root system, causing instability of the tree. Typical causes of root plate problems include deep planting, root disease, and mower blast.
• Girdling Roots: Occasionally the tree roots can envelop the trunk and start fighting with the trunk over nutrients and water. The trunk and the roots will develop into each other and over time cause issues for the tree.
• Decay: Decay happens when an ailment leads to the inner heartwood tissues softening.
• Co-dominant Stems: When there are two likewise dominant terminal stems, one needs to be removed or they’ll challenge each other which will lead to one of them failing.
• Disease and Insects: Tree disease and aggressive insects leave signs that are hard for homeowners to see, but a certified arborist will see the signs immediately. Discovering these problems early on will help prevent detrimental damage to the tree.
• Growing Conditions: It’s vital for trees to have correct growing conditions for the prevention defects within the tree or it’s root system.
• Non-defects: Occasionally homeowners could be concerned by non-defects, like needles turning yellow, foliage loss, and separating bark. Depending on the type of tree, these occurrences may be natural and nothing to worry about.

Call a Professional Tree Service Provider

While it is suggested to have your trees assessed once during the summer and once during the winter, professional tree service companies are year-round to offer assessments.  Be sure you contact a certified arborist if you think there might be something amiss with your trees.  They will strongly assess the issues and come up with solutions to restore the health of the trees.  Being precautionary with your trees assessment will not just maintain your trees, but will save you money by hindering property damage and tree removal costs.

Source:

1. ArmstrongExpert, Luke. “When to Call an Arborist for a Tree Assessment.” RestorationMaster, 16 Mar. 2018, restorationmasterfinder.com/restoration/when-to-call-an-arborist-tree-assessment/.

Tree Disputes

Should you be facing a situation with a neighbor where a tree is becoming an issue, read on to learn more regarding your options.

Can I Trim Branches From A Neighbors Tree That Overhangs My Yard?

Under law you can indeed trim branches that go beyond the neighbors property line and infringe on yours. This means you cannot enter the property of the neighbor or trim the tree on the neighbors side of the property line. If the tree is harmed you may be found liable for a fine up to and including three times the value of the tree. Landmark trees or trees for ornamental purposes may have a very high value, so be careful before deciding on a course of action.

Can I Eat The Fruit From A Tree Overhanging My Property?

The fruit from the tree belongs to the owner of the tree and courts have gone back and forth on deciding whether fallen fruit belongs to the owner or the person whose property the fruit falls on. The laws will depend on your location.

My Neighbor Blows Leaves Into My Yard. Is This Grounds For A Nuisance Claim?

Sadly not. Leaves are a natural product and even if they cause clogging to drains or guttering you have no recourse. You can however trim the branches of a tree that is shedding leaves up to the edge of your property line.

A Neighbor Killed A Tree On My Property When Clearing His Yard. Am I Entitled To Compensation?

Anyone who engages in injury to the tree, tree cutting or tree removal without the owner’s permission is liable for compensating the tree owner.

A Storm Knocked Down My Neighbor’s Tree Limb Onto My Property And It Damaged My Car, House And Yard Furniture. Are They Responsible For The Damages?

In most of these cases, the courts will probably apply what is known as a reasonable care standard. If your neighbor was not derelict in their duties to take care and maintain the tree branch and would not appear in the view of a reasonable person to be threatening to fall, then it is probable a court would not find the neighbor responsible. If the event could not have been foreseen or action taken to avoid the event occurring, it will be deemed an “Act Of God” and the neighbor will not be liable.

My Neighbors Tree Looks Like It’s Going To Fall On My House. What Should I Do?

The responsibility of maintaining trees falls upon the landowner. They have two legal responsibilities. Firstly, they make reasonable inspections with the purpose of ensuring the tree is safe. If the neighbor does not or will not remove the tree and damage is caused, your neighbor can be held responsible. If, having spoken to your neighbor, they do not do anything, you do have some laws that may offer protection. The tree may be considered a nuisance when it interferes with the enjoyment and use of your own property. The court may order the removal of the tree is a court finds it is a nuisance. Most cities have ordinances prohibiting property owners from maintaining conditions that may be considered dangerous on their property. In such cases, the municipality where you reside may order the neighbor to remove the tree or they may take it upon themselves to remove it. It may also be that one of the local utility companies will want the tree removed if it threatens any of their equipment or is a potential fire hazard.

The Spreading Of Tree Roots On My Land Damaged My Neighbors Septic Tank. Do I Have To Compensate My Neighbors?

In most states, the neighbor who has been aggrieved may trim the tree or cut the roots and will not have a claim against the owner of the tree. Yet some states maintain neighbors may sue if at least one of the following criteria is met:

• A landowner may sue her neighbor to make that neighbor trims the branches of a tree that encroach the landowner’s property regardless of whether there is damage to the property or not.
• Serious harm caused by encroaching tree roots or tree limbs may give rise to a lawsuit. “Serious harm” usually requires structural damage.
• The neighbor may sue if an encroaching tree was planted.
• A neighbor may only sue if the tree is noxious and is causing damage. “Noxious” means that the tree must be inherently poisonous or dangerous.

FIG TREE CARE

Figs are one of the oldest cultivated crops and not to mention that they were a favorite for some of the oldest societies. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans enjoyed figs. A fig tree can grow between 10 feet to 30 feet tall and they have leaves that make them look really tropical. Read on to learn more!

PICKING A FIG TREE

Many fig tree types will grow anywhere. However, some will do better in a dry, hot climate such as in Mesa, Arizona. The Kadota and Conadria fig trees are two that do really well in the Arizona heat.

KADOTA FIG

These will produce a large to medium sized fruit. The fruit will be yellow, and it is really sweet. The fruit from this fig tree will ripen best in a hot temperature area and in full sun. The Kadota fig tree is grown extensively and it is the most common fig type that you will find in a local grocery store.

CONADRIA FIG

These are the largest fig trees and it will have a very high sugar content. The fruit that is produced can be used to eat fresh or it makes a really great dried fruit. This fig also resists spoiling during rainy weather and has a small eye size. This helps with insect resistance.

HOW BIG DO FIG TREES GET?

Fig trees grow rather quickly and will end up around 25 feet tall. They also grow in width to about the same size as they are tall. Plan this into the location you choose for your fig tree. Don’t plant it in a spot where the full grown tree won’t fit well aesthetically or near power lines. Fig leaves are also quite large, sometimes reach as much as 10 inches in length and width. With leaves this large there’s no surprise that the fig tree is beloved for it’s fruit and the shade it provides.

PLANTING FIG TREES IN YOUR BACKYARD

There are normally two cycles of harvesting figs in a single year. The first crop is basically the maturation of any previously growing buds. The crop after it is actually the main crop, and this is where the fruit develops which is during spring and summer.

PICKING A LOCATION

Depending on the fig tree that you get, you will have to consider the width where you will be planting the tree. A fig tree can grow quite large which can span between 10 feet to 30 feet. They can even be much wider than they are tall. Another thing to consider when picking where to plant your fig tree is that leaves do drop. The fig is deciduous and if you have a pool then you want to plant the tree as far away from the pool as possible or place it in the front yard. Fig trees require between 8 to 10 hours of full sun per day, so you will want to keep the fig tree away from the house or where I may be shaded. You also will need soil that drains quite well and sandy soils are best for a fig tree.

PLANTING A FIG TREE

Just like with other trees that you want to plant within the desert, the time to plant a fig tree will be in the early spring or fall. This will give the root system a bit of time to mature and be ready for harsh summer weather that happens in Arizona.

WATER A FIG TREE

During the average summer heat in Arizona, a fig tree will need to be watered every 3 to 5 days. If it is really hot and Arizona has set heat records, then water more often than that. If you are unsure if you tree needs to be watered, you can use a soil probe to find out. All trees will need to be watered to 3 feet each time that there is an irrigation event. There is not a set rule for how much water it will take to reach 3 feet because different soil types will take different times.

FERTILIZING THE FIG TREE

Most times fig trees that have been planted directly into the ground will not have a need for fertilization. The big exception is if they get planted in sandy soil. If you are unsure if the soil has the right nutrients, then you can have the soil tested by a lab. If the soil is deemed to be low in nutrients, then get a half a pound of nitrogen and then divide it into 3 different treatments. Apply the nitrogen during the months of growth which are May – June -July.

PRUNING A FIG TREE

One of the best parts about growing a fig tree is that it hardly needs to be pruned. They only produce 2 crops during a single growing season and it is best that they get pruned after the second harvest. If you wait and then try to prune the fig tree during winter, then you risk removing some of the fruit that is already growing which would be part of your next harvest.

FIG TREE PESTS

Luckily, within Arizona there are not as many pests as in other areas of the United States. There are three common pests that you may deal with when it comes to your fig tree. Gophers, green fig beetle and birds are very common for Arizona. In order to protect your fruit from birds and beetles, then you can cover the fruit with netting or bagging. There is very little to be done about gophers.

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH FIGS?

There are many fig tree owners that are really surprised with just how much fruit is produced once the tree has matured properly. It does take a couple of years after it is planted to get the tree to produce its first fruit. However, whenever it starts to get going, it really goes. Most owners scramble to hurry up and begin making jam, but the truth is there are a lot of things to do with figs.

CAN I CUT DOWN A TREE ON MY PROPERTY?

If you’re searching for how to water a cactus, this guide will help you care for your prickly friend. Did you know, your outdoor cacti require watering too? Below is how you should do just that. If you don’t care for your cacti property they will get sick, die, and need cactus removal. Learn how to water a cactus at your home or business.

QUESTION & ANSWERS ABOUT CUTTING TREES ON YOUR OWN PROPERTY

The answer depends on a couple of different circumstances. Read below to find out more information about removing trees from your property.

MY NEIGHBORS TREE BRANCHES HANG IN MY YARD. CAN I TRIM THEM?

Yes. According to law, you do have the right to trim branches or limbs that extend beyond the property line. Although, the law only allows trimming and cutting to the property line. You can’t go into the other property to cut or destroy the tree. If you harm the tree, then you could be at fault for 3 times the value of the tree. Many trees have a replacement value of $500-$2500 while landmark or ornamental trees can be valued between $20,000-$60,000.

MY NEIGHBOR HAS FRUIT TREES, BUT THE BRANCHES ARE ON MY SIDE OF THE PROPERTY, CAN I EAT THAT FRUIT?

No. The fruit actually belongs to the owner of the tree, so don’t pick the fruit. Courts are often divided on who can have the fallen fruit, so check local laws to see if you can eat the fruit.

MY NEIGHBORS LEAVES KEEP BLOWING IN MY YARD, DO I HAVE A NUISANCE CLAIM?

No. Leaves are actually considered a natural product. Even if the leaves cause damage like clogging pipe or gutters, you have no legal claims against the tree owner. However, the branches are shedding leaves that are hanging over your yard, or the tree is encroaching on your property, you have the right to trim the branches to the property line.

MOST OF A TREE IS HANGING IN MY YARD, BUT THE TRUNK IS IN THE NEIGHBOR’S YARD. WHO DOES THE TREE BELONG TO?

The neighbor will own the tree. As long as that tree trunk is fully in the neighbor’s yard, it will belong to the neighbor. Whenever the trunk is divided by a property line or multiple people it is called a boundary tree. If you have a boundary tree, then all property owners will own the tree and share the responsibility for it. Removing the tree without consent of all owners is against the law.

MY NEIGHBOR DUG UP THEIR YARD, AND IT KILLED MY TREE ON MY SIDE OF THE PROPERTY LINE. CAN I GET COMPENSATION?

Anyone who engages in injury to the tree, tree cutting or removal without owner permission is liable for compensating the owner.

A STORM KNOCKED MY NEIGHBORS TREE ONTO MY PROPERTY AND DAMAGED MY YARD, HOUSE AND CAR. ARE THEY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE?

The court will apply the reasonable care standard. If the neighbor tried to maintain the tree branch, and the branch didn’t seem to be threatening to fall, then no. If a reasonable person could have avoided this from happening, then it is deemed an Act of God and the neighbor will not be liable.

MY NEIGHBORS TREE LOOKS LIKE IT WILL FALL ON MY HOUSE. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

All landowners are responsible for maintaining the trees on the property. Legally, they have 2 duties: make inspections and care for the tree. If the neighbor does not remove the dangerous tree, and the tree causes damage then your neighbor is liable. If you have spoken to the neighbor about the tree, and nothing has been done, then you do have laws to protect you. The tree could be a nuisance, which interferes with your use and enjoyment of the property. You could file a claim and if the court finds it true, then the court will order the tree to be removed.

Many cities have ordinances that keep owners from keeping dangerous conditions on their property. If you call the county, they may remove the tree or order the neighbor to do it. Utility companies also have an interest in removal if the condition threatens the equipment. A simple call may cause the utility company to remove the tree.

THE ROOT SPREADING OF MY TREE DAMAGED MY NEIGHBORS SEPTIC TANK. DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT?

In many states, the neighbor can trim the tree or roots themselves and does not have a claim against the owner. Other states have conditions that can be met for a law suit.

• If the tree was planted and not wild
• If the tree is noxious meaning poisonous or dangerous and caused damage
• Caused serious harm such as structural damage
• Neighbor must trim branches that encroach on the property.