Frequently Asked Questions

HomeGuide puts the national average at $400 to $900 per tree, with small trees under 30 feet at $250 to $700 and trees over 60 feet at $1,000 to $2,500 or more. Coastal jobs often cost more when access is tight or debris has to be carried out by hand. Your written estimate is the price.

The City's tree rules we cite, Municipal Code Chapter 13.08 and Council Policy G-1, deal with City-owned trees on public land, which need the City's permission. For a tree fully on private property, check with the City's planning or building staff if the tree is tied to a development approval or permit, and check your HOA's rules, which often require approval first.

Generally no. Parkway trees in the street right-of-way belong to the City, and Municipal Code Section 13.08.040 prohibits trimming, cutting or removing them without the City's written permission. The City trims them on its own schedule, and owners or HOAs can request supplemental trimming through the City under Council Policy G-6.

Sometimes. Under Council Policy G-1, a view impediment that trimming cannot fix, in the City Arborist's opinion, is one of the grounds for removing a Problem Tree that is not designated a Special Tree, a list that includes Indian laurel fig, weeping fig, carrotwood and Brazilian pepper. Reforestation requests are paid by the requester and need a neighborhood petition or an HOA board resolution.

We do not claim ISA certification. We provide pruning, removals, stump grinding and tree health care on private property, and we tell you when a situation calls for a certified arborist's written report, such as a City removal application that requires a tree inspection report or risk assessment.

HomeGuide suggests once or twice a year depending on the species and condition. Many coastal owners trim before the windy season and again when seed pods and dead fronds build up. Removing green, healthy fronds just to stretch time between trims weakens the palm.

Most pruning can happen any time in this mild climate. Late summer and early fall are a good time to clear deadwood and thin dense crowns before Santa Ana season. Major cuts on flowering trees are often timed after bloom, and nesting birds are checked for in spring.

Less than most people expect. Taking out a large share of a healthy tree's leaves in one visit stresses it and triggers a flush of weak sprouts. For big reductions we spread the work over two or more visits.

Fast growers like ficus, eucalyptus and coral trees often need attention every year or two. Slower trees and pines may go several years. A tree that hangs over the roof or a pool usually needs more frequent light trims.

No. Crown pruning does not shrink roots. Root pruning near hardscape can weaken a tree's stability, so in tight spaces the choice is often between living with some lifting, installing a root barrier during repairs, or removing the tree.

We recommend agreeing with your neighbor first. With that in place, we can prune the overhanging part in a way that does not damage the tree. If the tree is a City parkway tree, it is off limits without the City's permission.

HomeGuide lists $75 to $400 for a palm 15 to 30 feet tall and $150 to $900 for one 30 to 60 feet tall. Canary Island date palms usually land toward the high side because of their size and spines.

Most palms here benefit from a trim once or twice a year. Queen palms and Canary Island date palms tend to need it more often than king palms, which shed many of their own fronds.

Yes, in most cases. Green fronds feed the palm. Over-trimming down to a few upright fronds weakens it over time. We take dead fronds, ones clearly declining, and fruit and seed clusters.

Yes. Seed pods and fruit stalks can be cut while they are forming, which saves cleanup on pool decks and driveways. It is a common reason for a mid-year palm visit.

HomeGuide's national figures run from $200 to $500 for a tree under 30 feet to $1,200 to $2,500 or more for one over 80 feet. Tight access, structures below and debris carried out by hand raise the cost.

Not on your own. Parkway trees are City property. You can apply to the City under Council Policy G-1, which lists the reports required and the specific grounds the City will consider.

Many do. Check your CC&Rs or call the association. Some also ask what will be planted in its place. Getting approval before scheduling saves a lot of trouble.

Not automatically. The stump is cut close to the ground as part of the removal, and grinding is a separate line on the estimate so you can choose.

It should not be moved around as firewood, since that can spread the beetles. It is usually chipped small or taken to a green waste facility. We plan this with you before the job.

HomeGuide lists $120 to $400 for a first stump, and $30 to $60 for each additional one on the same visit. Large stumps and tight access cost more.

For most yards, yes. Grinding is quicker, cheaper and leaves a small hole. Digging out the entire stump and root ball takes heavy equipment and leaves a large hole to fill, and is mainly needed for foundations or certain construction.

Most trees will not regrow once the stump is ground below grade. Some species can send up root sprouts for a season; cutting them back as they appear usually ends it.

You can, but it is better to plant a few feet to the side, where the soil is not full of decaying wood and old roots. If it has to go in the same spot, we grind deeper and remove the chips.

Only with the neighbor's agreement. Many HOAs have view and landscape guidelines that help. Once the tree owner signs off, we can plan pruning that opens the view and keeps the tree healthy.

Contact the City. Under Council Policy G-6, owners or HOA boards can request supplemental trimming with the City's form and full payment, and Council Policy G-1 allows removal of certain Problem Trees when the City Arborist finds trimming cannot fix the view. Private crews cannot cut City trees.

Done right, no. Thinning and proper reduction cuts are normal pruning. Topping, or removing too much at once, is what hurts trees, so large changes are staged.

No. A palm grows from a single bud at the top, and cutting it off kills the palm. The choices are cleaning up dead fronds, thinning trees around it, or removing it.

Look for tiny round holes in the bark with wet stains, gumming or white powder around them, plus wilting leaves and dying branches. Coral trees, sycamores, box elders and avocados are frequent hosts. If you see these signs, have the tree checked.

Sometimes, when the damage is limited. Removing infested branches and watching the rest of the tree can work. Heavily infested trees usually decline and are better removed so they stop spreading beetles.

On the coast, browning on the ocean side often points to salt and wind burn, especially after a dry stretch. Browning in patches can also mean root damage, borers or disease, so it is worth a closer look.

For a City tree removal application, Council Policy G-1 requires a tree inspection report and, for hazard claims, a Level 2 basic tree risk assessment. Insurance and HOA questions sometimes need one too. We tell you when a formal report is needed.