Tree Removal

Giles is proudly home to over 146 acres of homeowner association owned land. With that much land comes lots of trees! During the development of the neighborhood from 2018-2024 the developer made an intent decision to keep as many mature trees as possible. As time goes on, some trees on the development border may show decline due to root disturbance during development or new damage and disease. If you believe there is a tree that presents a hazard to your household there are few things you should do:

1. Verify ownership of the tree. This often starts with checking the Hanover County Parcel Map and/or a survey of your property. We have many properties that border non-HOA property and you can verify land ownership and estimate the tree position with satellite imagery. In the case of near-border trees, determining ownership is essential and locating property borders using surveys and ground markers is the next step.
   Hanover County Parcel Map 

2. Submit photos, a description, location of the tree, and property survey to property management. This can be done on the Homeowner Portal Service Request page (via Vantaca) or by emailing chad@acswest.org. Your address and contact information are needed in the case where we need follow up information or permission to access your property.

3. HOA property management will request a certified arborist provide a written analysis from 2 arborists. This generally takes 1-2 weeks but could be longer during storm cleanup and faster during slow periods. If you wish to expedite the process you may reach out to an arborist and provide their findings. We have several recommended and trusted companies:
   Ellis Tree Service
   TrueTimber Arborists
   Joshua Tree Experts
   Blazer Tree Services 

4. The HOA Board of Directors will review the arborist(s) recommendations and contract removal, if necessary. Several findings could include:

a. The tree is on HOA property, in poor health and presents a hazard. These trees are often removed. If they are in a wooded area they will most likely be left on the ground as they become part of the ecosystem. Trees in densely housed areas are cut and hauled away.

b. The tree is on HOA property, in poor health but does not present a hazard. These trees are dead trees likely to fall in a wooded area. They are left to decline and fall naturally.

c. The tree in on HOA property, but in good health. These trees are usually not removed. If their removal does not have significant negative effects on neighboring properties, the HOA may authorize the removal at the requesting homeowners expense on a case by case basis. Homeowner may prune limbs overhanging their property as long as they do not damage the healthy tree. Submit an ARC request for limb pruning. 

d. The tree is on the homeowner property. In the case of single family homes, these trees are entirely the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain or remove. For tree removal approval submit an ARC request. 

e. The tree is a curb tree (generally within the 10 foot tree easement along the road edge) on a single family home. These trees must be maintained by the homeowner as-installed by the developer in accordance with the landscaping plan on file with Hanover County. Structural pruning, disease treatment or replacement of dead trees may be required. The timeline for replacement of dead trees is often extended as a courtesy to the fall planting window. Replacement with a different species from your street's existing tree is generally not approved and requires an ARC approval due to our effort to maintain design consistency.

f. The tree is a curb tree (generally within 10 feet of the road edge) on a townhome lot. Townhome trees are the responsibility of the HOA unless their damage is due to a homeowners action (vehicle accident, unauthorized herbicides, beetle bags, etc). Townhome tree health is analyzed annually and replaced in the fall. 

g. The tree has already fallen and originated on HOA property. We recommend you submit this to your homeowner insurance claims. The HOA will be responsible for the fallen tree on the HOA property while the homeowner will be responsible for the portion that fell on their property and any resulting damage. 

5. Please be patient as tree removal is not an immediate process. Initial cleanup can be expedited in the case of storm damage and property damage. Most removal companies work with about 1-3 months of scheduled jobs and are highly dependent on weather. We will keep you updated when we receive updates but feel free to reach out if you need a status update.