Get matched with top tree service pros in Garysburg, NC

Since each tree is different, it’s impossible to say how long a dead tree can remain on your property. While it could be days, months, or even years, it’s highly likely that, at some point, the tree will fall. In the meantime, dying or dead trees can become a haven for pests, so it’s best to have them removed sooner rather than later.

Consumers typically do not need to worry about the cost of tree insurance, as professional tree service companies pay for their own coverage. For a tree service business, an average U.S. policy covering about $1 million in general liability costs roughly $40 a month or $500 a year. More extensive policies, providing between $500,000 to $2 million in coverage, can cost between $3,000 and $6,000 annually, depending on the company's size and scope of work. Tree service professionals should speak with an insurance company to determine the right plan for their business.

Completely topping a plum tree is a risky business. Cut too much, and you’ll kill your tree. That said, you do need to trim the top of your tree to encourage bushy growth, maintain your tree’s vase shape, and limit size. 

A plum tree's central leader (or trunk) should never extend more than 3 feet above the highest branch. When you first plant your tree, cut the central leader so it’s 2 to 3 feet tall. As it grows, cut it back 12 to 20 inches until it reaches its desired height. Never prune more than one-third of the new growth.

According to scientists at Penn State University, spotted lanternflies do not typically kill the trees and plants they feed on, but they can cause branches and segments to die off. However, they have been found to kill cultivated grapes, which can have devastating consequences for vineyard owners and regions that heavily rely on vineyards to create jobs and generate revenue. They have also killed the Ailanthu altissima, known as the tree of heaven, though this is classified as a noxious and invasive weed tree.