Tree Removal Cost

When Hartford trees reach the end of their lifecycle, they must be cleared out of the way. Dead or decaying trees are hazardous because of the danger of fragmentation and falling branches. The price depends on several factors, especially the size of the tree and the difficulty of the job. In Hartford, $870 is the average price paid for tree removal. Most homeowners receive a bill between $700 to $1,035, but the full pricing spread ranges from just $200 to $1,500.

Stump Removal Cost

After a tree is removed, the stump must be cleared away. Local stump removals are priced starting at $77 for a medium-sized stump and $85 for a large one. On the higher end, however, some contractors in Hartford charge as much as $140 to $147. Keep in mind that, like tree removals, the cost of stump removal depends on the stump’s size and the rigor of the job. Homeowners will usually need to pay more for very hard wood, debris-ridden soil and unmanageable root systems.

Average Cost of Tree Maintenance in Hartford

Tree maintenance is about reacting to problems as they arise. But, proper maintenance also takes a proactive stance, using techniques like pruning to enhance the natural development of the tree. This is especially true of trees planted in urban areas. Nationally, the average price for tree maintenance service is about $485, commonly no more than $580 on the high end. Although a few paid less than $100, others report a bill as high as $1,000.

Common Trees in Hartford

A comprehensive survey in 2007 found that the most common trees in Hartford are:

• Silver maple (Acer saccharinum)
• American beech (Fagus grandifolia)
• American elm (Ulmus americana)
• Norway maple (Acer platanoides)
• Red maple (Acer rubrum)
• Black cherry (Prunus serotina)
• Pin oak (Quercus palustris)
• Red oak (Quercus rubra)

The populous capital of the Nutmeg State, Hartford is a haven for some of the oldest, largest and most treasured trees in New England. Trees that rise above 100 feet in Hartford include black, red, bur and pin oaks; eastern cottonwood; eastern and western white pine, and tulip trees.

The city is also home to numerous lofty specimens of Connecticut’s state tree, the white oak. Also called the charter oak, this tree is named for an interesting early episode in the history of New England. Facing the armed seizure of their territorial charter, early Connecticut patriots defied the British monarchy by hiding their founding document inside an old white oak tree.

Municipal Tree Codes

The municipal government acknowledges that it has a significant stake in the long-term health of Hartford’s forest. The city has an overarching goal of expanding the urban shade tree cover for the greater health of the community. The tree ordinance of Hartford was written to facilitate this goal.

The Hartford City Forester has primary jurisdiction over trees planted in the public domain or on public rights-of-way, such as by the street. This could include just the part of the tree — its branches or roots — that physically overhang the public right-of-way, per Connecticut law. Tree hazards on private property do not normally fall under the city’s jurisdiction, but there are several exceptions, such as:

• No one is allowed to top a tree in Hartford.
• A permit is needed to remove a grove of trees or any tree with a diameter of 13 DBH or greater on private property.
• The state Arborist Law requires anyone who cuts down a public or private tree to have a state-issued license. There are, however, exemptions if a tree poses an imminent danger.

Before planting a new tree, it’s important to consider the principle of the “right tree in the right place”. While it is the duty of the electric company to trim back trees that could interfere with power lines, Hartford residents who plant new trees are encouraged to deter future problems by planting tree varieties that can reach their full height without growing into nearby electrical power lines.

Growing Conditions in Hartford

Located in the rolling hills of the Connecticut Valley, Hartford’s climate matches the typical chill of southern New England although it has a more temperate climate than the nearby uplands. With an ecology dominated by the life-giving Connecticut River, Hartford boasts fertile, if alkaline, soils and delicate floodplain forests with trees like cottonwood and the silver maple.

Cold weather is the principal threat to fruit trees in Hartford, particularly sudden drops in temperature following pockets of autumn warmth. As such, growers should choose cold-hardy fruits that have been recommended for USDA Hardiness Zone 59a. Many varieties of apples, for example, are grown in Hartford. Certain types of cold-adapted peaches and nectarines can also be grown here, like harbinger and Rochester peaches and Mericrest nectarines. Other viable fruits include cherries, apricots, plums and pears.

Disease Control

Tree planting in Hartford must be done with careful consideration of local pests and diseases. The emerald ash borer, an infestation of national scale, was found in Hartford in the summer of 2013. Ash trees are common in Hartford and could be at significant risk. Although no known cases of sudden oak death have yet emerged, the causal pest has been spotted in the state too.

Plant Hardiness Zones in Connecticut

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

Image Sources:
Pin oak
Norway maple

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