How Much Does Tree Removal Cost?

There are several reasons why property owners might want to rid their land of a tree. Old trees can be a danger to structures, or they could be in the way of new construction. Either way, hiring professionals to bring down the trees safely is often the best course of action, which averages $487 to $641. When they do so, homeowners can even opt to keep the wood and have it chopped for future use.

How Much Does Stump Removal Cost?

Although a stump is much smaller in size than an entire tree, removing it can still be difficult unless you have all the right equipment. Professionals use a large commercial grinder to eliminate the stump in minutes, and having more stumps removed at once can bring down the overall price per piece. Tree owners can expect to pay about $100 per stump.

Average Cost of Tree Maintenance in Santa Rosa

Trees in Spokane require several different types of maintenance and care in order to survive during cold winters and thrive in the spring. Some trees require pruning to get existing branches adequate nutrition, and other trees need to be trimmed for aesthetic purposes. Professional tree trimming and maintenance will run tree owners $472 to $664 on average.

Tree Removal Regulations

Like most cities, Spokane has some tree removal regulations in place to protect the area’s canopy and maintain the greenery of the city. That being said, residents do not need to acquire permits for tree or stump removal that is entirely on their property. According to the Spokane Municipal Code, however, licensed tree trimmers that take more than 30 minutes to an hour for tree removal may need to apply for a permit, especially if the work will be done on or near a busy road or intersection. To remove street trees, even if their branches are on your property, a permit will be required. Keep in mind that removing trees should ideally be done in the autumn, which allows the ground to recover by the following spring.

Residents in Spokane have a choice of energy providers, but the largest company in the area is Avista Utilities. Since their maintenance crews handle thousands of miles of roads, power lines and trees, they ask that residents contact them with information regarding diseased or dying trees near power lines or branches that need to be trimmed, all of which will be done at no cost to the homeowner. When planting trees near power lines or rights of way, Avista also recommends that only trees that mature at less than 20 feet be chosen to reduce the need for trimming or power line damage in the future.

Growing Trees in Spokane

Spokane has a fantastic climate for growing a variety of fruit trees, but aspiring gardeners should look specifically for options that can handle both hot summer temperatures and winter days that hover around freezing. Some of the top fruit trees for the area, according to the Washington State University Spokane County Extension, include Gala and Spartan apples, Bing and Rainier cherries, Bosc and Hosui pears, Gold bar and Tilton apricots and New Haven peaches.

The western hemlock, known in the scientific community as the Tsuga heterophylla, is the state tree of Washington. While this tree is native to the coastal areas of the state, they are found in small numbers in Spokane. Like in most destinations, the most common trees in Spokane tend to be native varietals. These include the following:

• Norway maple (Acer platanoides)
• Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)
• Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
• Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila)

In 2013, the Spokane Park Board did a complete tree inventory of the city. During that process, they discovered that the city was home to more than 86,000 trees, which they valued at a whopping $382 million. They also located the tallest trees in the city, which are two Ponderosa pines that stand at 140 feet in total height.

Tree Pests and Diseases

According to Washington State University, there are a number of pests that can affect the look and health of trees in the Spokane area. Some of the biggest problems that property owners should look for include blister beetles, pine beetles, aphids and Dutch elm disease.

USDA Hardiness Zone in Spokane

The United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, has a definitive ranking system for ecosystems as well as trees. Spokane is ranked as a 5b, which means that trees that thrive in the area will be as close to that number as possible. Tree ranked at 8a or above will likely suffer in the winter, and trees with ranking below 3a might suffer without adequate rain or in the hot summer temperatures.

Here is the plant hardiness zone map for Washington, as provided by the USDA:

Image credit:
Black locust
Ponderosa pine

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