Arborist Consultations For Beaverton's Homeowners Associations
Beaverton is a suburb of Portland, Oregon, with a growing population. Like many other areas in the Pacific Northwest, Beaverton is experiencing rapid growth that is putting pressure on housing availability and affordability.
A large part of this growth is the influx of residents and the increasing number of jobs in the area. Several big-name companies have either moved their headquarters to Beaverton or have expanded their presence in the town over the past few years.
With this influx of residents comes an increase in demand for housing. Many find it hard to afford rent without a significant income increase, so many opt to buy a house instead. However, housing prices are rising quickly as well!
For homeowners association (HOA) members, this may bring up concerns about tree preservation policies. Many HOA’s have regulations regarding tree removal that are put into place to protect property values and maintain community aesthetics.
Document the damage
Once a tree has been affected by beavers, it is important to document the damage they’ve done. This will be very helpful for arborists and tree care professionals that come to assess and treat the trees.
Beaver activity can range from gnaw marks on bark to trees being topped or felled. Whether a tree survives these attacks depends on the extent of the damage and how quickly treatment is sought after.
Arborists are trained professionals that have an extensive education in tree science, identification, and treatment. They use this knowledge to help save trees that have been attacked or injured.
They will also take into consideration other factors such as the age of the tree, current health, and potential future health threats to determine the best course of action.
Establish the frequency of the beaver activity
Once there is proof of beaver activity, an arborist consultation should be conducted to determine the health of the trees and what can be done to protect them.
During this consultation, an arborist will look at the trees that have been damaged by the flooding and determine if they can be saved or need to be removed. They will also look for signs of rot or pathogens that may have been brought on by the flooding.
If needed, they will suggest pruning trees to improve their health and survival rate. They may also suggest protective measures such as tree guards or lattice backing for trees that need additional support.
Arborists also recommend keeping an eye on affected trees for several months after the flooding subsides. Floodwater can carry pathogens or leave rot behind, which can later weaken the tree.
Determine if there is any natural food source for beavers nearby
If there is a nearby natural food source, such as a stream or lake, then the beavers will most likely stay in the area. If there is no access to water, then they will move on.
Beavers can travel great distances via river systems, so if the area is large enough, they may not be an issue for your association. However, if there are no other sources of water and the HOA is on top of a hill with no access to water, then there will most likely be an issue.
The arborist will check for any signs of flooding and determine if any upgrades to your drainage system are needed. They will also inspect any trees that have been affected by the flooding and recommend what actions should be taken.
Ask your homeowners association about hiring an expert to remove the beavers
It is the responsibility of the association to make sure that the property values of the community are not negatively affected by wildlife.
If your HOA does not have an animal control policy in place, you can suggest one. It can include a fee to hire an arborist to remove the tree, clean up the damage, and re-plant if necessary.
Beavers are very prolific animals and can cause a lot of damage very quickly. Because of this, most associations will pay for an expert to come and remove the beavers as a precaution.
Removing beavers is not something that every arborist knows how to do, so you may have to ask your HOA whether they provide this service or find someone who does.
