Frequently Asked Questions

 

These are some of the questions we get everyday about our professional tree services. We compiled them into a convenient FAQ for you to get the answers you need quickly and easily. If you don’t see your question listed, please don’t hesitate to call or message me. I’m always willing to provide the answers you need when deciding what’s best for your property.

 

Do I need a permit to remove a tree?

It depends. The city does require permits for the removal of certain trees, largely depending on the size and location. Certain species and tree hazards may also make a permit necessary. If you aren’t sure, just give us a call. Not only can we help you determine if a permit is necessary, we can complete the arborist report you may need to secure it.

 

What is your tree removal process?

We generally work with a crew of 2 - 4 people for tree removal. We start by identifying possible hazards and moving objects that may get in the way of a good drop zone. If necessary to complete the job, we gain permission from your neighbors to enter their property. Our crew then cuts off branches, using a rope and pulley to lower limbs that can’t just be dropped into the drop zone. We then cut the trunk from the top down, piece by piece, before coming down out of the tree. We fell the remaining trunk section, using a rope to pull it if necessary. Once the tree is down, we cut up the wood and run branches through the chipper, so we can haul all of it away. Lastly, we grind down the stump, and surface side roots.

 

Do I have to be home for the removal process?

No, you don’t. We understand that our customers are busy, so we work hard to accommodate your schedule. As long as we can adequately access the property and clearly understand what you want done, you do not have to be home for any of our tree services.

 

How much do your services cost?

It varies. We offer a range of services, from pruning to complete tree removal, and total cost depends on a number of factors. Depending on the size and scope of the service, it could cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. It’s complex and dangerous work, but rest assured that we work hard to keep it affordable and strive to provide you with complete services that protect and enhance your property from beginning to end.

 

To get an accurate price estimate, it’s best to contact us for a free consultation. Jeff will come out to examine your property and speak with you about the services you need. He’ll consider factors like the height and diameter of unwanted trees, as well as their condition and accessibility. He’ll discuss what you’d like done with the trunk and branches after removal, and whether or not you want stump grinding. At the conclusion of your consultation, you will have a detailed estimate that you can understand and trust. We don’t add extra costs on the backend. We respect your budget and stand by our estimates.

 

Is your company fully insured and licensed?

Yes, Jeff’s California State Licensing Board Number is 1000970. Our company has a general liability insurance policy, and our work crew is covered by workers compensation insurance. Jeffrey’s other credentials include:

• Certified Arborist: OH-0895 International

  Society of Arboriculture

• Consulting Academy Graduate American

  Society of Consulting Arborists

• Arboriculture Combination Course - Kingswood

  Training Services - Kent, United Kingdom

• MBA Graduate, December 2005 Xavier University

• BBA Graduate, December 2002 University of Cincinnati

 

How do you schedule your work?

Sometimes we schedule 2-3 small jobs in a day, and we are generally able to finish most big jobs in one day. Some extremely large jobs may take 2-3 days to complete. Often times, we remove a tree on one day and come back a few days later to grind the stump and plant a new tree. Tree cabling is often scheduled on a separate day than tree trimming as well.

 

My neighbor’s tree is growing into my backyard and I want to trim it back. What should I do?

Call us to schedule a consultation. Jeff will come out, look at it, and discuss a plan with you. He’ll provide you with a written estimate you can trust.

 

Does my neighbor have to pay for their tree branches that grow into my yard?

Though they are not required to, it has been my experience in Santa Rosa that tree owners are more willing to pay for removal of branches growing into a neighbor’s yard. It’s interesting because I previously worked as an arborist in Cincinnati, where residents were far less willing to pay for the service. I’ve found that the residents of Santa Clara are more concerned with keeping good relations with their neighbors. So, they would rather pay the cost to keep a neighbor happy. They are also more concerned about any liability that may arise from not complying with a neighbor’s request to cut back branches.

 

Can I prune my neighbor’s tree

back to their property line?

You own all of your property up to the sky, so technically you can cut any branch that encroaches onto your property without talking to your neighbor. However, it’s always best to talk to your neighbor before trimming parts of their trees that hang over your property line. Sometimes, to make a proper cut, we may need to go a little over the property line. We try to make our cuts at a branch junction (cut to a lateral branch) or back to the main trunk. Often times, you can leave the higher branches and only cut the branches that droop low into your property, or you can section them back to a joint so that they’re not far-reaching.

 

How deep do you grind down tree stumps?

We cut them low to the ground with a chainsaw. Then, we usually grind them down approximately 6” on the stump.

 

Can I plant a tree where I previously

had a tree removed?

Yes, you can, but we usually recommend that you plant the new tree 1-3 feet away from the stump. When you dig the hole to plant the tree, you will likely hit large anchor roots. We recommend that you plant the tree on the same day as the tree stump grinding, so that we can easily take care of anchor roots with our grinding machine. Basically, it’s like digging the whole for the new tree with the stump grinder.

 

Can you remove a tree over a house, a deck, or with delicate understory trees or shrubs under the canopy?

Yes, we use a rope and pulley system to lower limbs and logs, and a separate tagline to pull the limbs and logs out of harm’s way. Other tools we use include a speed line to diagonally zip a branch into an appropriate drop zone, and extension poles with hooks at the end. Having a 3-5-man crew, patience, a well thought out work plan, and good communication all help to get the job done to the customer’s satisfaction. With minimally invasive tree removal, our goal is to take care of your property and your investments.

 

How do you prune fruit trees?

We usually lower the height by sectioning back to laterals. We try to prune for improved structure and better branch spacing, so we thin out the inner canopy for better light penetration and improved air circulation. Deadwood is removed and stubs from improper pruning are removed. Over-extended branches are cut back to laterals. Sometimes, we’ll raise the canopy or low drooping branches.

 

Do you clean up after completing your work?

We try to do a super clean up so that you don’t have to do any work after we leave your property. Your neighbors trust us for their tree services not only because of the quality of your work, but because they can see how well we clean up after ourselves and care for their properties. For us, adequate cleaning is just as important to the completion of your project as the actual tree removal.