How Much Does Tree Removal Cost?

Removing trees in Long Beach usually costs an average of $780. This price can change depending on the tree itself. For example, if the tree’s branches are close to power lines or within close proximity to the home, the arborists might charge more to prune them ahead of time or put cords around the tree to make it easier coming down and avoid hitting the house. The range is within $647 to $911, depending on the complexity of the tree removal.

How Much Does Stump Removal Cost?

If homeowners have trees cut down, they’ll usually also have to grind the stump to clear the land for the grass grow over. Small and large stumps generally cost around $80 to $150 each to grind. Keep in mind that the price will vary based on the season and the specific details of the work being done. Stump removal will cost more, around $500 to $600.

Average Cost of Tree Maintenance in Long Beach

Maintaining shrubs and trees costs an average of $598. It’s important to remember these average prices can be drastically reduced by taking care of maintenance on a regular basis. The fluctuation is within the range of $502 to $694, depending on the type of tree, the number in the backyard that need to be regularly trimmed, pruned or cut by the arborists, and the state they’re in at the beginning.

Rules and Regulations

Although the Long Beach Public Works Department does a lot to protect and maintain the city’s urban forest, they don’t generally interfere with trees that grow on private property. If a street tree requires emergency maintenance, you can call the city and have the work taken care of free of charge, but if the tree is rooted on private property, it’s the resident’s responsibility.

Remember that any tree maintenance work should be completed by a licensed service that has insurance. As a general rule, don’t attempt any jobs that require a chainsaw or ladder by yourself. Tree removal and pruning jobs are easiest to take care of from August to December in Long Beach.

Popular Trees to Plant 

Shorter trees like the desert willow (Chilopsis linearis), crape myrtle and multiple redbud species, such as the eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), Mexican redbud and western redbud (Cercis occidentalis), are highly prized as easy-to-manage ornamentals that top out at 25 feet or less. These trees also provide easily accessible sources of small timber that is often used for arts and crafts projects like traditional basket weaving. Larger trees, like the California sycamore (Platanus racemosa) and the Engelmann oak (Quercus engelmanii), take a bit longer to grow, but they make great shade trees for large properties. Trees that thrive include various palms (Palmaceae) and bamboos (Bambuseae).

The California state trees, the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), aren’t generally found in home settings, although younger versions of these giant, ancient growths make nice bonsai trees and garden mini-planters.

Medium-sized trees like the Kaffir plum (Harpephyllum caffrum) and the pecan (Carya illinoinensis) are often grown for their fruits. Citrus, cashew (Anacardium occidentale) and pistachio (Pistacia vera) trees are also popular for the same reason, and they make wonderful complements to backyard gardens and communal vegetable plots.

Difficult to Maintain Trees

Even the iconic California fan palm trees (Washingtonia filifera) that Long Beach is widely known for are susceptible to pandemic diseases, like the recent outbreak of root fungi caused by poor soil conditions. These blights have made the species difficult to maintain. Similarly, recent frosts and accompanying root fungi have made some varieties of orange trees (Citrus x sinensis) tricky for beginners. Pest species like the Russian salt tree (Halimodendron halodendron), which is invasive, are prohibited by California law.

Common Diseases Affecting Long Beach’s Trees

Numerous pests and tree diseases also thrive in California. Insects like the Asian citrus psyllid have been identified as carriers of fatal bacterial diseases that ruin citrus fruits and eventually kill their hosts. While monthly inspection can help homeowners combat these pests, they can easily travel from dead limbs to healthy growths, and they require expert treatment.

Rules Regarding Trees and Overhead Power Lines

Healthy trees pose hazards to homes and other buildings because they tend to grow as far as they can even when they’re opposed by human-made obstacles. As a result, they can interfere with power lines and other utility fixtures.

According to the city, trees should be planted at least 15 feet away from all utility or light poles and a minimum distance of five feet away from fire hydrants, water meters and gas meters. Although you can get away with planting smaller trees and shrubs underneath overhead lines, you must keep them trimmed. The Director of Public Works reserves the right to classify such plantings as public nuisances and serve you a notice stating that you need to remove them. If Public Works employees perform the spraying, trimming, pruning or removal work, you’ll be billed later, so it’s best to take care of these issues on your own.

Plant Hardiness Zones in Southern California

Here are the plant hardiness zones for Southern California as provided by the USDA:

 

Image Sources:
Desert willow
Western redbud

Local Tree Services in Long Beach