The recent storms in North Texas have produced an unprecedented amount of broken limbs, downed trunks, and other tree waste material. Local residents have become frustrated with the seemingly slow response to the mess, and both cities and tree services have been scrambling to clean up what is left before we have another storm. Why has there been such a delay? Why did tree companies not offer haul-away right after the storm? We hope this post will give a little insight and information, as well as give you the resources to contact your city for more information about storm debris cleanup.

Right after the storm we had in June 2019, thousands of tree crews, both municipal and private, took to the streets. Several dozen crews were called in from other parts of Texas or even out of state. Priority had to be given to rectifying hazards to life and limb, restoring power, and clearing roadways. As the massive amounts of debris were removed to complete these goals, it had to be put somewhere. Normally, tree waste and debris is taken to a conventional landfill or a “greenfill,” which specializes in recycling organic material. Unfortunately, the facilities in the DFW area were overwhelmed by the amount of debris, and there just wasn’t enough room. Tree waste dumps soon had long lines and increased fees. In Dallas, at the intersection of US 75 and IH 635, a vacant building site was called into service as a temporary tree debris disposal site. Wherever the debris was deposited, in many cases city crews, utility clearance crews, and other critical operations had priority over private tree companies. Even among private companies, there was a mix of experienced crews and smaller, “storm-chasing” crews, so the flow of debris management was disrupted.

Do You Always Haul Away Debris?

At Texas Tree Surgeons, our standard Work Proposals include full cleanup and debris haul-off. During storm periods, however, we are unable to haul away as we want to be able to help as many people as possible. When we give an estimate during a storm period, we will always give the customer the option to have the work done as soon as possible without haul-away, or to wait until we are able to take everything with us. In some cases, especially when insurance is involved, we are able to offer haul-away even during a storm period, but there is an increased cost, usually a percentage of the total job cost, to reflect the addition time and fees involved in accessing the debris dumps during times of high demand.

Can You Leave the Brush for the City to Pick Up?

During periods of normal operation, all of our proposals include debris haul-off at no extra charge (with the exception of stump grinding). Some tree owners prefer to schedule their tree work to coincide with their city’s bulky trash pickup. If we are able to leave all the debris on-site for city cleanup, we are happy to offer a 10% discount on the total job price. If you are considering keeping the debris for city cleanup, though, it is important to keep a few things in mind:

• Depending on your city’s bulky trash schedule, the debris may sit on the law for quite a while, preventing light from reaching the grass below. This situation can cause parts of the lawn to die.
• Even if the debris is not there long enough to kill the turf grass, its weight and size can cause major dents or gouges in the lawn surface.
• Municipalities often use a claw-type device to pick up bulky trash. The large metal claws can cause further damage to lawns, sidewalks, and curbs.
• During storm periods or at other times, your city may alter the schedule of pickup and levy increased fines for trash that remains too long on the curb.

While it may be tempting to have a tree service leave the debris to save a little, it may cause more headache and expense in the long run! Additionally, depending on your location, we may not be allowed to stack brush for the city. We have put together a rundown of some North Texas communities’ rules for bulky trash haul-off as they relate to debris from tree trimming and removal.

Rules for Brush Haul-Off in North Texas

• Allen

  • While the city offers bulk trash haul off they have special rules relating to brush from tree trimming and tree removals:
    • “When trimming or removing trees, make sure to negotiate the removal fees with your contractor. The City is not responsible for removing tree debris that is cut by commercial contractors.”
    • https://www.cityofallen.org/1479/Large-Loose-Brush-Collection

• Dallas

  • Debris from tree service in Dallas can be placed on the curb; the city requests branches and trunks are less than 8 feet in length and not be mixed with other bulky items.
    • https://dallascityhall.com/departments/sanitation/Pages/brush_and_bulky.aspx

• Richardson

  • Brush from tree removal and pruning in Richardson can be stacked on the curb as long as the pieces are less than 6 feet in length and 2 feet in diameter.
  • Pick-ups can be scheduled online, or by calling the city.
  • When you schedule a pick up of tree debris in Richardson, the waste can be composted, keeping it out of landfills. Make sure to indicate that you have tree trimming in your request, and not to include any non-organic material.
    • https://www.cor.net/departments/public-services/trash-recycling/brush-and-bulky-item-collection

• Frisco

  • For waste from tree trimming and removal in Frisco it is best just to have your tree care service haul it away.
  • Frisco will only haul away debris if it is “cut into three foot lengths, tie
    and bundle
    with rope or twine (must be compostable), maximum weight not to exceed thirty (30) pounds per bundle, and place
    three feet away from your carts on your regularly scheduled service day”.
  • https://www.friscotexas.gov/1172/Residential-Yard-Waste

• Plano

  • The city of Plano will haul off debris from tree trimming and removals but only in small amounts organized in very specific ways. It is best to ask the crew to haul off debris from tree service.
    • https://www.plano.gov/690/Yard-Trimming-Collection-Guidelines 

• Southlake

  • When using a tree service in Southlake, brush haul off is managed by a third party, Republic Services. For large jobs where many trees are being trimmed or trees are being removed it is best to have brush hauled away to avoid extra charges.
  • “Republic Services does offer Special Bulky Item Pickup for Southlake residents including brush and trees. This service is offered for up to 12 cubic yards annually at no charge, after this Republic Services will send you a bill for the amount in excess of the 12 cubic yards. This pickup must be scheduled with Republic Services by calling (817) 317-2424”
    • https://www.cityofsouthlake.com/2462/Special-Household-Items-Disposal

• Garland

  • Debris from tree trimming and removal in Garland will be picked up by the city if it is debris that has been done from tree service at that property, cut into 4-7 ft lengths, and placed between the sidewalk and street.
    • https://www.garlandtx.gov/483/Brush-Bulky-Goods 

• Arlington

  • Because of the complex requirements, tree limbs and brush from tree service in Arlington should be hauled off by the tree crew. The city uses a third-party vendor for chipping brush and larger piles of limbs.
    • https://www.arlingtontx.gov/city_hall/departments/garbage_recycling/garbage_disposal/curbside_collection

• Grand Prairie

  • Debris from small tree trimmings, limbs and branches under 10”, may be stacked on the curb for bulky trash pick up. However, for larger tree work in Grand Prairie, like tree removal or trimming multiple trees, the crew should haul away debris.
    • https://www.gptx.org/city-government/city-departments/public-works/streets/brush-program-information

• Irving

  • When there is debris from removing or trimming trees in Irving, the city will pick up limbs less than 8 feet long or less than 2 feet in diameter.
    • https://www.cityofirving.org/544/Brush-and-Bulky-Waste-Collection

• Other Areas We Serve

  • Rowlett: https://www.ci.rowlett.tx.us/914/Brush-and-Bulk-Collection
  • Rockwall: http://rockwall.com/documents/UtilityBilling/BulkPickupInformation.pdf
  • Anna: https://www.annatexas.gov/871/Trash-Recycling-Services
  • Melissa: https://www.cityofmelissa.com/departments/utility_billing/solid_waste_services/bulk_items.php
  • Mesquite: https://www.cityofmesquite.com/271/Yard-Waste-Collection
  • Murphy: https://murphytx.org/157/Residential-Bulky-Trash
  • Wylie: https://www.wylietexas.gov/departments/utility_billing_(water_bill)/brush_and_bulk_pick-up.php
  • University Park: https://www.uptexas.org/government/sanitation-recycling/residential-collection
  • Highland Park: https://www.hptx.org/index.aspx?NID=515

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers! Storms and other bad weather can cause massive damage and confusion throughout our community, and we want to give everyone the information they need to deal with the aftermath. We hope that all of our residents and trees can stay safe through the storms to come, and we will always do what we can to keep you informed. If you have questions about storm damage, debris haul-off, or any of our policies and procedures, let us know!

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we have created a series of articles covering tree basics. If you have a specific tree question, let us know!

Oak wilt, and the precautions that need to be taken to help prevent the spread of this fungal disease, may be the most often talked-about aspect of tree health care in Texas. Throughout the state, tree owners and communities are challenged by the potential devastation to all species of oak tree. In some areas, there are ordinances in place that restrict oak trimming in order to prevent the spread of the disease. Other areas have no formal regulation, and this can lead to a lack of awareness and a potential for widespread infection.

While oak wilt is a serious threat to our North Texas urban forest, there are simple steps that everyone can take to lessen its impact.

How do trees get oak wilt?

The most common ways for the oak wilt fungus to be transmitted are by insect activity and root grafting. Insects can infect a tree through any exposed wood (not covered by bark) or open wound (such as a pruning cut, broken limb, or where branches rub against each other). In situations with oaks planted in close proximity, the fungus can be transmitted from one tree to another via underground root grafting. As roots make contact with other roots, they grow together and share pathogens.

Different species of oak can contract and spread oak wilt by different methods.

RED OAKS

Red oaks (Texas, Shumard, blackjack, water) are extremely susceptible to infection through insect activity. Red oaks are often the primary mode by which oak wilt gains a foothold in a new area. The oak wilt fungus thrives in red oaks and creates visible fungal mats underneath the bark. These spore mats attract insects; sap beetles of the Nitidulidae family are the most common type. Beetles feed in the infected area and become covered with particles from the spore mats. Drawn to exposed wood on healthy trees, the beetles transfer the fungal spores, spreading the infection.

LIVE OAKS

In contrast to red oaks, live oaks are susceptible to oak wilt primarily through their root systems. In nature, live oaks often grow in groups, sometimes called motts. Underneath the mott, the root systems of the individual trees become interconnected. This grafting allows not only nutrients to be shared, but pathogens as well. Once a member of the mott has contracted the oak wilt fungus, the infection quickly spreads.

WHITE OAKS

White oaks (post, bur, chinkapin) are more resistant to oak wilt than other species, but are still at risk. Transmission generally occurs through spore transfer by insects, or by human activity.

Can you prevent Oak Wilt?

Oak wilt is an epidemic. Because of the concentration and susceptibility of oaks in Texas, especially red oaks, it can be difficult to isolate centers of infection and prevent further spread. The Texas A&M Forest Service and the Forest Health Protection branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture have issued some guidelines to help prevent further tree death.

• Remove and properly dispose of diseased red oaks immediately
  • Chip or bury all tree material
• Do not transport unseasoned firewood
  • Firewood should be dry, splitting, and the bark should be peeling off
• Do not store unseasoned oak firewood uncovered
  • Cover tightly with heavy, clear plastic and bury the edges to restrict insect access
• Do not prune or otherwise wound oak trees from February 1 to July 1
  • The best time to trim is in the fall and winter
• When infection is a risk, take proper precautions
  • Sterilize tools and paint cuts

If you have healthy oak trees in an area with infected trees, preventative treatment may be effective in slowing transmission. As oak wilt is a systemic, vascular disease, the most effective treatments consist of injecting the infected trees with a fungicidal chemical. The only currently recommended fungicide is Alamo®, a formulation of the fungicide propiconazole. The fungicide is administered through holes drilled in the root flare of the infected tree and should only be applied by Texas Department of Agriculture Licensed Applicators.

For large stands of oak trees, especially live oaks, trenching around the area and severing root connections can limit disease spread, as well.

Can you cure Oak Wilt?

There is no known cure for oak wilt. Reported home remedies or substances applied to the exterior of the tree have not be proven to have any remedial effect. If you have a tree that is infected with oak wilt, be sure to consult a Texas Oak Wilt Qualified arborist or your local Texas A&M Agrilife Extension agent to discuss treatment options.

Red oaks usually defoliate and die one to six months after becoming symptomatic. Live oaks may last up to a few years before total necrosis. White oaks show the most resistance to oak wilt and may survive several years after infection.

Fungicidal treatment may prolong the life of infected trees, but cannot eradicate the disease. However, systemic fungicides are most effective if a tree has not lost more than 30% of the crown. Contact a certified arborist to see if your tree may be a good candidate for treatment.

What areas have Oak Wilt?

In North Texas, there are many centers of infection. At Texas Tree Surgeons, we take oak wilt precautions throughout our service area. Still, there are a few neighborhoods in which we have seen particularly bad oak wilt activity:

• Preston Hollow, Dallas
• Lakewood, Dallas
• Walnut Hill and Abrams, Dallas
• Coit and Campbell, Richardson
• President George Bush Turnpike and the Tollway, North Dallas
• Park and US 75 in Plano
• Highland Park
• University Park

If you live in one of these areas, or suspect oak wilt activity in your neighborhood, contact your arborist to see what specific preventative steps are recommended for your trees.

Oak wilt is one of the greatest threats to trees in Texas. Education, awareness, and prevention are the best tools we have to protect our urban forest from devastation. If you want to learn more about oak wilt, visit TexasOakWilt.org.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we believe that the more people learn about their trees, the better we can serve our community. We have several Oak Wilt Qualified arborists on staff; please let us know if you have any questions about oak wilt or any other tree question. We are always happy to help!

* – Until 2017, the oak wilt fungus was identified as Ceratocystis fagacearum.

Storm damage is a hazard to people, animals, and structures. Proper tree care can prevent or mitigate storm damage like falling limbs or splitting trunks.

It seems that we have been getting our April showers in September this year! North Texas storms are always a mixed blessing and, for those of us in tree service, a good reminder of the needs of our urban forest. Plano, Texas, with its mix of development ages and styles, features a varied mix of trees that require particular attention in this stormy weather.

Profile of a Plano Tree

Trees say a lot about an area. In older Plano neighborhoods, we often see well-established oaks and pecans, some even nearing the end of their life. New communities can have a wider variety of species but can struggle with over-planting or construction stress. In the middle is a varied mix of species and ages. Plano, like many cities, has grown in stages. Earlier developments feature trees that are now coming into maturity, while there are still many recently-planted trees in newer areas. Age and size can greatly affect a tree’s ability to weather a storm, and we can sometimes see a range of damage in a relatively small geographic area. Plano is a city that values its trees and understanding the needs of the different trees is essential to providing effective tree service in Plano.

Storms and Young Trees

Newly-planted trees need particular care and attention to recover from transplantation stress and become established. If the trees are located near to recent construction, there may be other stressors, such as soil compaction or root damage. A stressed tree that has not been able to send out stabilizing roots is at higher risk from flash flooding and high winds. Improperly-planted trees can be uprooted in a strong storm, even with supporting stakes and wires. 

Smaller trees that are planted near or under the canopy of older, larger trees are also at risk of damage from falling branches. While trees have adapted to resist high winds and rain, a large branch from an overhanging tree can fall with enough force to break young limbs and even the trunks of smaller trees. A similar risk is posed by hail or other storm debris. Fortunately, young trees are naturally more flexible, but they must be healthy to have the best chance to survive damage. 

The best way to prepare a young tree to weather a storm is to follow best practices when planting, water regularly, and protect the tree from stress, pests, and diseases. A certified arborist can evaluate the status of your young trees and make recommendations for keeping them healthy, such as a Plant Health Care program of fertilization or pest control.

Storms and Large Trees

As a tree grows, it gains stability from larger roots and increasing layers around its trunk and branches. However, as limb size increases, so does weight and stress on joints.. Periods of drought can cause  cause sudden limb drop, which we saw in Plano in the summer of 2018. Larger trees can also harbor more insects, bacteria, and fungi, some of which can cause limb die-back. Limb joints can become stress points, especially when tree formation allows rot to infiltrate a joint. Issues arising from improper trimming are amplified the larger a tree gets, as even healthy limbs can become unbalance and break in strong winds.

Trees with underlying stability issues are easy targets for storms.

It is a common misconception that the best way to prevent limb breakage is to reduce weight and size by removing as much new growth as possible from older limbs. At the extreme, this can be seen in stripping branches out to the ends, sometimes called a “lion tail” trim. While this does reduce limb weight, it concentrates all the remaining weight to the ends of branches. Furthermore, leaves can actually act as a windbreak and buffer, absorbing the force of high winds and distributing it over a larger area. While it is true that a bare limb has a smaller profile, it also has no shock absorbers, and will simply break when the wind gets too strong. Weight reduction should be performed with care and attention to overall limb resilience and balance.

The longer a tree survives, the more it grows and adapts in response to prevailing weather patterns. Proper tree care consists of helping the tree’s natural defenses. In nature, trees drop dead wood as needed. In a populated environment, we can help the tree get rid of dead wood by removing it safely, before a storm has the chance to. Growth defects or weak joints can be reinforced with cables and bracing and trees should be trimmed to promote balance and not stress weak points in the tree. A certified arborist can examine your tree for signs of stress and disease, and one with a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification is specially trained to asses potential safety issues.

Guidelines for Every Tree

For all trees, there are a few general principles to guide prevention of storm damage:

• Regularly inspect the tree for dead or broken limbs, and remove promptly
• Properly trim trees (no “lion tail” trims) to bolster natural wind resistance
• Reinforce weak joints or splitting areas with bracing or cables
• If a tree is showing signs of stress (yellowing leaves, die-back, insect activity), contact a certified arborist to diagnose and treat any issues
• Be familiar with the type and age of your trees and their particular care needs
• Identify any potential risks posed by falling limbs (structures, landscaping, vehicles, etc.)

Plano: A City of Trees

Every community values its environment. Parks, greenswards, and trees are an essential part of making an urban area a safe, healthy, and inviting place to call home. The city of Plano, with its mix of tree species and ages, is an outstanding example of how a municipality grows with and around its trees. Working with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Texas Forest Service, Plano’s Parks and Recreation and Urban Forestry departments provide valuable resources for Plano residents to learn more about tree care.  Nature preserves like Arbor Hills give residents and visitors to Plano a refreshing oasis in the heart of the Metroplex. As Plano continues to grow, its trees will continue to mature and need care. Tree services in Plano can only do so much; it is up to Plano residents and tree owners to remain engaged in the life of the community and the life of its trees.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional tree care in Plano and the surrounding areas. Whether it is storm cleanup, regular tree trimming, disease management, or consultation services, we love our Plano customers and we love their trees. We are always available to come out to your home and inspect your trees and we love to answer tree questions! Contact us online or give us a call, and we’ll see what we can do to help your trees not just survive a storm, but grow and thrive and add beauty and value to Plano and all our North Texas communities.