Tree Service in Walnut Creek, CA

Walnut Creek has a broad private-property tree ordinance, so tree service here often starts with paperwork. Under Chapter 3-8 of the city code, a tree is any live woody plant with a single stem of 28 inches or more in circumference measured 4.5 feet above natural grade, or multiple stems totaling 40 inches. No one may cut down or remove a tree inside city limits without a permit.

Highly protected species

The code names a group of highly protected trees: valley oak, blue oak, coast live oak, California black oak, canyon live oak, interior live oak, madrone, California buckeye, California black walnut and grey pine. Removing one of these requires a stronger finding from the city. Groves count too: three or more trees forming a single canopy, with stems totaling at least 40 inches around, are covered at any individual size.

Timing and paperwork

For removals not tied to development, the code asks that the application be filed at least 10 days before the removal. The city's Director can approve a permit based on the tree's condition, pests or disease, good forestry practice, or specific findings for Tasmanian blue gum and Monterey pine. A tree the Director finds hazardous and needing immediate action can be removed with written permission. We help with the details, species, circumference and photos, and coordinate an arborist report on condition when one is needed.

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Open space all around

In 1974 Walnut Creek voters approved a bond that let the city buy about 1,800 acres of hillsides and ridgelines. Today the city holds parts of Lime Ridge, Acalanes Ridge, Shell Ridge and Sugarloaf open spaces. Many homes back onto these ridges, below the western slopes of Mount Diablo, so native oaks, buckeyes and grey pines are part of the backyard. Those are exactly the species the code highly protects.

Rossmoor and the older neighborhoods

Census estimates put the median year built at 1974, with about half of homes built in the 1960s and 1970s. Rossmoor, the 55-plus community in Tice Valley that Ross Cortese began developing in 1963, covers about 1,800 acres and 6,676 homes. Many Walnut Creek homes are condos and townhouses, where trees are managed by an association, so owners should check who is responsible before calling anyone.

The walnut name

The creek and the Arroyo de las Nueces were named for the local walnut, Juglans hindsii, the California black walnut. California black walnut is on the city's highly protected list. Call (925) 966-3413 to talk about your tree.