Tree Service in San Lorenzo, CA

San Lorenzo tree service is mostly about mature trees on postwar lots. The David D. Bohannon Company began building San Lorenzo Village in 1944 under a contract with the U.S. Navy, putting up two- and three-bedroom homes for East Bay war workers, and construction continued into the 1950s. Census estimates show about two thirds of San Lorenzo's homes were built in the 1940s and 1950s, and the median year built is 1955.

What 80-year-old yards look like

Trees planted with these homes have had eight decades to grow on lots designed for modest houses. Typical issues:

• Large trees whose canopy covers most of the lot and much of the roof
• Roots lifting sidewalks, driveways and patios
• Roots near aging clay sewer laterals
• Old fruit trees with decay and broken limbs
• Trees that were topped years ago, now full of weakly attached sprouts

Old topping cuts are a common hazard. The sprouts that grow from them can get large and heavy while still hanging on by a thin layer of wood. Reduction and gradual restoration pruning can help some of these trees; others are past saving.

Trimming versus removal

We give you an honest read. If the tree is healthy and the problem is clearance, trimming solves it. If the tree has major decay, is damaging the house or is simply too big for the lot, removal and replanting with a smaller species is the better long-term choice.

Get a Free Estimate

Choosing a replacement

A replacement tree for a San Lorenzo lot should fit the space at its full size, not just when it is planted. Look for species that top out around 20 to 30 feet, plant well away from the sewer lateral and the foundation, and avoid surface-rooting trees near sidewalks. We are happy to suggest options after a removal.

Flat ground near the bay

San Lorenzo sits at about 36 feet on flat ground between San Leandro and Hayward, with San Lorenzo Creek on its northern border. Flat lots make equipment access easier than in the hills, but backyards are small, so most removals are still done in pieces and carried out through a side yard.

County rules

San Lorenzo is unincorporated and governed by Alameda County, which says it has no countywide ordinance regulating trees on private property in unincorporated areas. Street trees and other trees in the county right-of-way are protected under the county's Tree Ordinance; contact the Public Works Agency before touching those.

Stumps and replanting

After a removal we grind the stump and surface roots so you can plant again or put in a lawn or patio. Call (925) 966-3413 to set up a visit.