(317) 555-0142

How long can I leave my tree stood in water after the yard flooded and now it looks sick before it becomes dangerous?

Answered for New Palestine, Hancock County.

Roots need oxygen, and water fills the pore space that delivered it. The tree is suffocating rather than drowning, and fine absorbing roots die within days in oxygen-free soil, so the tree shows drought symptoms while standing in water. Past the root loss, saturated soil shifts chemically and favors water-mold pathogens like Phytophthora that attack the root collar. Saturated soil also grips a root plate far more weakly than dry soil does, so a tree that was stable last week may not be this week. In New Palestine — Willow Ridge, Centennial North and Noelting Estates included, that's normally a hazardous tree removal job at $800–$5,000. Within days.

Why this comes up in New Palestine

Laid out in 1838 as Sugar Creek and incorporated in 1871, New Palestine's population was essentially flat from 1880 to 1990 and then more than doubled — 2,055 in 2010 to 2,744 in 2020. That leaves a thin band of genuinely old houses around Main Street and a large majority of the town built after 1990, so from the build-out pattern most yard trees should be 15 to 30 years old rather than 70.

New Palestine's canopy

New Palestine appears in no published street-tree inventory. Because the bulk of the housing is post-1990 subdivision on former cropland, the dominant condition is young-to-middle-aged planted stock, with ash already removed statewide by emerald ash borer.

Hancock County rules

There is no tree removal permit in New Palestine — the code has no tree removal provision for private property, and Indiana has no statewide permit. What the town regulates is planting: Chapter 55 (Ord. 51888) is reported to make it unlawful to plant trees, shrubs or any plant life other than grass between the sidewalk and the curb anywhere in town, effective May 18, 1988, with § 56.02 permitting shade and ornamental trees on your own lot at least six feet back from the front property line. None of that could be verified from a retrievable primary source — treat the planting ban as UNVERIFIED and confirm with Town Hall before planting anything in the strip.

The tree lawn in New Palestine

The strip between sidewalk and curb is public and the town dictates what goes in it. The town's reported grass-only rule for that strip could not be verified, so confirm with Town Hall before planting a replacement tree there; a homeowner who wants a replacement may in any case have to put it on the lot behind the front property line.

Crews near New Palestine

Sorted by distance
Miller’s Stump Grinding, photo 1 of 3

Miller’s Stump Grinding

4621 S Brooklawn Dr, New Palestine, IN 46163

5.0141
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Trimming
  • Stump Grinding
  • +1

I was fortunate to have Shawn Miller replace a large three in one window in my residence. He was extremely thorough removing the exterior cement…

Ric Vega · 5 years ago · Google
Holmes Complete Tree Care, photo 1 of 3

Holmes Complete Tree Care

646 S 600 W Building #5, New Palestine, IN 46163

4.953
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Trimming
  • Stump Grinding
  • +2

This is the second time we have hired Holmes for tree work at our home. A few years ago they removed a tree that was too close to our home and did an…

Jennifer Kost-Barker · 2 months ago · Google
Arbor Tree Company, photo 1 of 3Photo author: sally wilburn

Arbor Tree Company

5067 W US Hwy 40, Greenfield, IN 46140

4.323
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Trimming
  • Stump Grinding
  • +2

This company is very courteous and friendly. They are prompt and fast at what they do. I had three large silver lead maples trimmed, seven dead ash…

Zach Bailey · 7 years ago · Google
Branch Management Tree Services, photo 1 of 3

Branch Management Tree Services

52 525W, Greenfield, IN 46140

4.728
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Trimming
  • Stump Grinding
  • +1

Had a tree fall on my home, my mother knew one of the employees (Conner) he got in touch with Scott who came from near Indy all the way to Fort Wayne…

Jacquelin Clark · 4 years ago · Google
Doctor Tree & Landscape Specialist Inc., photo 1 of 3

Doctor Tree & Landscape Specialist Inc.

2067 Sunshine Dr, Greenfield, IN 46140

5.033
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Trimming
  • Stump Grinding
  • +2

We had a few things updated/upgraded on our property and cannot say enough good things about Doctor Tree & Landscape Specialists. They are truly…

Brian Cross · a year ago · Google
Complete Tree Care, photo 1 of 3

Complete Tree Care

11219 House St, Indianapolis, IN 46259

4.947
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Trimming
  • Stump Grinding
  • +2

These folks did a great job in coming to my rescue . We have One of the last remaining Ash trees in Forrest Common on the south side . It lost a…

William Murphy · 2 months ago · Google

Distance measured from New Palestine.

Same question, nearby towns

More for New Palestine

Talk to someone(317) 555-0142