How Much Does Tree Removal Cost?

Removing a tree in Virginia Beach, especially if you live the near oceanfront, might happen more often than you think. In those cases, it will cost residents between $622 and $870 depending on the type of tree and the complexity of the job. If the tree is near power lines or the home, it will be a more expensive job. In other cases where the tree is thinner, shorter or requires less special equipment, it will cost less. The arborist will also take into account height, tree circumference, labor, and general project costs associated with equipment. On average, the price will be $746.

How Much Does Stump Removal Cost?

Removing stumps in Virginia Beach will cost between $100 and $150 and take about an hour or so, depending on the circumference of the trunk and the type of wood the stump’s made from. Either the tree service professional will grind the stump down and leave it in the ground but grind down enough for grass to grow over it, or they will uproot the stump completely. See which option works best for your budget and which services they offer.

Average Cost of Tree Maintenance in Virginia Beach

Tree maintenance, which can include pruning, trimming and cutting, will cost Virginia Beach residents between $560 and $758, depending on what the trees look like and how many of them there are to be worked on when the tree service professional first comes out. If they’re low-maintenance trees that have fewer branches, then they’ll need less work. If the inverse is true, then they’ll need more work. On average, tree maintenance will cost $659.

Best Time to Remove a Tree

The best time to remove a tree in Virginia Beach is when the trees have gone dormant, which is during the winter months from December through February. Since winters in Virginia aren’t too harsh, it will be a good time to take down branch and uproot the trees without worry about a lot of snowstorms or high winds coming off from the ocean to make the job harder, as compared to the spring and summer months.

Virginia’s State Tree

Virginia’s state tree is similarly its state flower, the American dogwood (Cornus florida). It’s the only state known to have the same symbol for both its flower and tree, designating the dogwood as the state flower in 1918 and then as the state tree in 1956. The dogwood reaches a modest height of 33 feet and has white flowers that bloom in the spring. This tree can grow in parts of Virginia Beach, where the saltwater won’t blow in and hit a homeowner’s yard very often.

Common Trees to Plant in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach has found that the live oak (Quercus virginiana) has been one of the best native trees to grow in the area. It thrives in the weather conditions the ocean can throw down, and it’s a great shade tree. In Virginia Beach there’s a privately-owned live oak recorded as the largest oak in the state of Virginia, known as the Fairfield Oak. The city is even giving out free live oak trees to residents to promote its re-population across the city. Other trees that thrive in Virginia Beach’s climate include:

• Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum)
• Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia)
• Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense)
• London planetree (Platanus × acerifolia)

Gardeners in Virginia Beach get to have the longest growing season among the rest of the state. As such, this humid, semi-tropical climate supports a lot of different fruit trees, as long as gardeners can be prepared for the sometimes wacky weather that can hit the beach. Some of these fruit trees include figs, paw paws, mangoes, peaches, apples, and plums.

Difficult to Maintain Trees

Having a tree in Virginia Beach can be difficult depending on where you live in the area. If you live near the oceanfront, there’s a chance that growing certain types can be more difficult due to the windy conditions and the salt water blowing. For example, honey locust and Southern magnolia are two trees that cannot handle the weather conditions or the ocean’s wind currents after about a year. Sweetgum and Bradford pear trees are also not applicable considerations for planting near the oceanfront.

Common Diseases Affecting Virginia Beach’s Trees

Virginia Beach has some diseases currently affecting its forests besides for the weather conditions and for the salt sprays. Oak wilt infections, nectria canker, and powdery mildew are among a few that are being treated and dealt with in the forests. Chestnut blight and Dutch elm disease can only be maintained when they break out. Short hole disease and leaf scorch are two other diseases that occur and should be watched out for by residents when they start to think they see signs on their trees.

Rules Regarding Trees and Overhead Power Lines

Virginia Beach has a public utility company through the city. However, it’s recommended that medium height trees be 15 feet from all utility lines and tall trees 65 feet from utility lines. It’s recommended to plant tall trees in open areas where they can be appreciated rather than where they might need trimming near power lines. It’s also required that residents call Miss Utility (811) before they dig.

Plant Hardiness Zones in Virginia

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

Image Sources:
Chinese privet
Southern magnolia

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