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Tree Trimming Questions from Cameron Park
Here are the questions we hear most. Don't see yours? Call (530) 380-5512 and ask.
About the call
What happens when I call?
A few quick questions about the tree and its spot. After that, we track down a tree pro close to you and book a time for a look.
Do you do the trimming yourselves?
No. Phones and scheduling are our end. The sawing, and the price for it, belong to an independent tree pro.
Do you charge for the call?
No. Calling and getting a pro lined up is free for you.
Could I get a second quote?
Happy to try. Mention it on the call and we'll look for another pro.
Timing
When should oaks be pruned?
A UC Master Gardener talk says leaf-dropping oaks in winter and evergreen oaks in summer. Interior live oak is evergreen. Valley, black and blue oaks drop their leaves.
Why can't my pine be pruned in summer?
UC says not to prune pines from February to mid-October, when adult bark beetles fly. Fresh cuts in those months are risky. Dead branches can still come off.
Is there a bad time for any tree?
Yes, one. The ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) says heavy live cuts right after the spring leaf-out should be avoided. The tree just used a lot of energy making those leaves.
How much to cut
How much of a tree can come off at once?
A quarter of the crown at most, per the ISA. Older trees should lose even less.
Is topping ever a good idea?
Almost never. The ISA ranks topping as maybe the worst pruning habit out there, and the regrowth hangs on weakly and snaps easily. Ask for thinning or reduction cuts instead.
Should cuts be sealed?
Usually not. The ISA says wound dressings don't reduce decay or speed up closing.
Local rules
Do I need approval to trim a tree in my neighborhood?
The Cameron Park CSD review form lists tree removal, not trimming, as needing approval. Read your own CC&Rs to be sure.
What about oaks?
El Dorado County has an oak ordinance, adopted in 2017. Removing oaks can mean paying to mitigate unless they're hazard trees. The CSD form also says an oak removal needs an arborist's report.
How far do branches need to be from my chimney?
Ten feet. That's the gap the Cameron Park defensible space guidelines ask for around chimneys and stovepipes.
Who trims around the wire to my house?
The property owner, according to PG&E. PG&E will shut off your power for free while the work is done.
Prices
What does tree trimming cost here?
National guides put one tree at about $400 to $900 on average. Oaks run about $450 to $1,500 and crape myrtles about $80 to $400, per HomeGuide. The firm figure comes from your pro once the tree's been seen.
Is there a minimum charge?
Often, yes. HomeGuide says many companies have a minimum of $100 to $300 or more. Grouping small jobs into one visit helps.
More reading: pruning by season, all trimming jobs and places we cover.