How Much Does Tree Removal Cost?

Tree removal for residents in the San Diego area costs on average $593. This takes into account height, circumference of the trunk, branches, project hours and general labor costs. Depending on the extent of the project, the price can fluctuate lower or higher between $495 and $691.

How Much Does Stump Removal Cost?

Removing a stump from the ground can vary depending on whether the stump is medium or larger sized. Tree service professionals in San Diego will likely quote a price between $350 and $400, and it will take them one to two days depending on the process to get the stump out of the ground. They might approach it by uprooting it directly from the ground, or they might grind the stump down into wood chips. Discuss these options with the arborist to see which they’ll take, and what works best for your budget.

Average Cost of Tree Maintenance in San Diego

Tree trimming, pruning and cutting in San Diego will cost San Diego tree owners an average price of $804, depending on the state and number of trees they own when the arborist first comes out to do the job. From there, the price can vary from $698 to $810, depending on the frequency of maintenance jobs and extent of work needed on the trees.

Rules and Regulations

Tree removal on private property in San Diego does not require a permit. However if the tree is an oak, a permit has to be requested, since this tree is protected under state law. Consult the arborist coming to take down the tree, as they will be knowledgeable of city code. The best time to remove a tree in San Diego is during the late fall or the winter. It’s also the best time to consider heavy maintenance like pruning, trimming and cutting.

Southern California Edison, San Diego’s utility company, urges residents to plant taller trees far away from overhead power lines. Any trees that reach higher than 25 feet should be at least 20 feet away from power poles or overhead lines.

California’s State Trees

California chose two redwoods as their state trees in 1937: the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and the giant sequoia (Sequoia gigantea). The coast redwood is the tallest tree in the world, reaching almost 300 feet in height. The giant sequoia is the largest in the world with 30-foot trunks. These trees can be seen in certain parts of the city and throughout the state but are not recommended for growing, since they can reach such staggering heights. However, there are smaller versions of the coast redwood that can be found and grown indoors like bonsai plants, if San Diego residents want to grow a piece of state symbology.

Common Trees to Plant in San Diego

Native trees are always best when planting and maintaining trees in residential districts. Some that thrive the best in San Diego’s temperate climate include:

• Western redbud (Cercis occidentalis)
• Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis)
• Blue palo verde (Cercidium floridum)
• California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica)

Because of its temperate climate, San Diego can also support a wide variety of fruit trees throughout the year-round harvest season. Apples, cherries, figs, apricots, nectarines, and peaches are just part of the selection that San Diego’s can support. Any kind of fruit tree that enjoys warm climates will flourish in San Diego’s environment.

Difficult to Maintain Trees

Red river gum (Eucalyptus camadulensis) trees have a hard time surviving in San Diego recently because of psyllid infections, which is the spreading of small jumping lice from one plant to another. Willow trees (Salix) are usually hard to grow in San Diego because they’re weak-wooded and not native to the area, except for the desert species. San Diego can experience inclement weather, especially during storm seasons that blow off the Pacific, which can cause willow trees to break and possibly be a danger to the home. Sticking with the desert willow is a safer option both for the yard and home landscape as a result.

Common Diseases Affecting San Diego’s Trees

Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is a disease caused by a bug that can stunt growth or kill citrus trees, discovered last year in the southern California area. Goldspotted oak borer is another pest that’s been killing oak trees in the San Diego mountain area in the last decade. Cankers disease has also been reported in the last year in the San Diego area and should be watched for. Contact an arborist if you worry your trees might be showing signs of disease.

Plant Hardiness Zones in Southern California

Here are the plant hardiness zones for Southern California as provided by the USDA:

Image Sources:
Giant sequoia
Blue palo verde

Local Tree Services in San Diego

 

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