A hazardous tree is one that is likely to fail and has something to hit: a house, a car, a road or a person. In Cortland County that often means ash killed by emerald ash borer, beech weakened by beech leaf disease, or a hardwood that took a hit in a summer storm and has not been the same since.
Tubbs Tree Service takes on the risky ones. Jason Tubbs walks the property, reads the defects, and lays out options from immediate removal to reducing the worst limbs first. If the tree could come down any day, the emergency tiers move faster. Either way, you get a clear, itemized plan before any cutting starts, with the riskiest work listed first.
Warning signs worth a closer look
- Bark falling off in sheets, or D-shaped exit holes on ash trunks.
- A crack running down from where two big stems meet.
- Mushrooms or soft wood at the base, or soil heaving on one side.
- Dead limbs high in the crown that still have not dropped.
- A new lean after a storm, especially toward the house.
Beech leaf disease in Hill Country woodlots
Beech leaf disease was first recorded in Cortland County in 2020. It shows up as dark bands between the veins of the leaves, then thinning crowns. On wooded parcels in Harford, Virgil and Cincinnatus, beech often grows close to cabins, trails and driveways. A declining beech next to where you park or walk is the one to deal with first.
Why brittle trees change the method
Climbers can’t safely tie into a dead ash that may snap under load. On those trees we lean on the bucket truck or crane so the crew works from outside the tree, and pieces are lifted or lowered in sections. That choice affects cost, and Jason will explain why a particular method fits your tree instead of guessing.
When it cannot wait for a regular visit
Consultations are scheduled weekly, with priority based on severity. If a tree is actively cracking or resting on a structure, choose an Emergency Assessment ($300, on site the next business day to assess and quote) or Emergency Response ($5,000 minimum, crew and equipment dispatched immediately). Both fees are credited toward the work.
Hazardous Tree Removal Questions From Cortland County
My ash tree in Marathon still has leaves. Is it really dangerous?
It can be. Ash trees infested by emerald ash borer often leaf out at the top while the trunk is already failing, and the wood gets more brittle every season after it dies. Thin crowns, bark splits and woodpecker damage are the clues. Jason can look at it on a $50 consultation and tell you how urgent it is.
Will my homeowner’s insurance cover removing a dangerous tree?
That depends on your policy and on whether the tree has already caused damage. We can’t answer that for you, so check with your insurer. What we can give you is a clear, itemized plan and documentation of the work, which many owners find helpful when they talk to their insurance company.
The hazardous tree is on the line between my yard and my neighbor’s in Cortland. Who decides?
Shared trees are best handled with both owners on the same page before work starts. Jason can meet with you and look at the tree from both sides so the plan makes sense to everyone. For questions about responsibility, your town or city office or your insurer is the right place to ask.
Want the full picture? Read our hazardous tree removal guide, or see everything we do in Cortland County.