Trees in Bellevue, NE
Bellevue, NE sits on the Missouri River in Sarpy County, named Belle Vue for the view from the bluffs, and Fontenelle Forest is right inside the city. Big, established trees are part of the place, and work on large trees is a job for a crew with the right equipment.
Common jobs a contractor can help with include tree removal in Bellevue, tree trimming and structural pruning, stump grinding, storm damage cleanup, and decisions about ash trees showing signs of emerald ash borer.
Storms and what they leave behind
Bellevue has seen some serious wind events in recent years. On June 16, 2017, the National Weather Service logged an estimated 80 mph gust in Bellevue and reported trees topped at Offutt. On December 15, 2021, an 81 mph gust hit Offutt, and the NWS recorded numerous large trees down and homes damaged in Bellevue.
After a storm, the Nebraska Forest Service advises dealing with hanging branches and split trunks first. A trunk split down the middle should be evaluated by a professional arborist. For everything else, don't rush the decision: the damage may not be as bad as it looks. After big storms, the City of Bellevue has opened a tree dump for residents to drop off storm debris. It is unmanned, and commercial dumping is not allowed there.
Ash trees and emerald ash borer in Sarpy County
Emerald ash borer was first confirmed in Nebraska in Omaha in June 2016. By November 2019, the Nebraska Forest Service map showed it in Sarpy County as well. If you have an ash tree in Bellevue, it is worth having someone look at it.
The Nebraska Forest Service's guidance: only consider treating a healthy, well-placed ash if EAB has been confirmed within 15 miles. Signs to watch for include thinning canopy, branch dieback, and D-shaped exit holes in the bark. Declining ash trees should be considered for removal. Trunk injections for hire require a Nebraska commercial pesticide applicator license, so ask any contractor doing chemical treatments to show that credential.
Who is responsible for which trees
Trees in your own yard are generally yours to care for. For a tree along the street, check with the City of Bellevue before removing or pruning it.
If a tree is touching or hanging over a power line, that is OPPD's jurisdiction. After the July 31, 2024 storm, the City of Bellevue cleared roads and right-of-way first so OPPD crews could restore power, Don't work near a line yourself. If a line is down, stay away and call 911 or OPPD.
Before any stump grinding, ask your contractor whether they will call 811 before grinding. Nebraska law requires a locate request at least two full business days before digging.
How to choose a tree company in Bellevue
Bellevue's city code (Chapter 29.5, passed 2020) requires anyone paid to cut, trim, prune or treat trees in Bellevue to hold a city arborist license. Ask to see it, and confirm with the city. Licensees must also hold Nebraska Arborists Association or ISA certification. You can verify ISA credentials at treesaregood.org.
Also ask for certificates of insurance for both liability and workers' compensation, then call the insurer to confirm they are active. Get more than one written estimate. Reputable companies rarely go door to door, and legitimate arborists do not ask for payment in advance. You can also check the BBB of the Midwest Plains and verify Nebraska contractor registration at dol.nebraska.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How does your referral service work?
We are not a tree company. You call us or fill out the form, and we connect you with an independent local contractor who comes to your property, looks at the tree, and gives you a quote. There is no cost to you for the referral.
What are signs my tree may need a professional look?
UNL Extension lists decay, conks (mushroom-like growths), cracks, girdling roots, co-dominant leaders, leaning, and root plate defects as the top signs a tree may need an arborist's evaluation. If you are seeing any of those, it is worth having someone come out.
What happens to the wood and debris after tree removal in Bellevue?
That is worth confirming with your contractor before work begins. Ask whether haul-away is included in the quote.
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