Cupertino Tree Service & Landscaping

Cupertino's tree ordinance protects trees that meet certain size thresholds — generally trees with a trunk diameter of 10 inches or greater measured at 54 inches above grade, as well as certain protected species at smaller sizes. The ordinance applies to both removal and significant pruning, and the city does enforce it. Before removing or substantially altering any significant tree on your Cupertino property, you should have it assessed by a qualified arborist who can confirm whether the tree is protected and, if so, what the permit process requires. We handle this regularly for Cupertino clients and can walk you through what your specific situation involves.

Yes. Cupertino's strong HOA culture means we work with HOA guidelines regularly — whether that's plant palette restrictions, height limitations on trees and hedges, approved species lists, or documentation requirements for work on common-area adjacent plantings. If you have specific HOA standards that apply to your project, share them with us upfront and we'll design our scope of work around them. We've navigated these requirements across enough West Valley properties to do it efficiently, and we understand that HOA compliance is often as important to a Cupertino homeowner as the quality of the work itself.

In California, you generally have the right to trim branches that cross your property line up to the property line itself — but only in a way that doesn't damage the health of the tree, which remains your neighbor's property. If the overhanging branches pose a genuine safety risk, the situation can be more complex and may involve documentation. Before doing anything, it's worth having an arborist assess the branches in question — understanding their structural condition, what trimming would be appropriate, and whether there's a case for requesting that your neighbor address the situation. Acting without a clear understanding of the tree's health and your legal exposure can create more complications than it resolves.

Construction is one of the leading causes of tree decline in established Cupertino neighborhoods, and much of the damage is invisible until years later. Soil compaction from equipment, root zone encroachment, grade changes, and trenching for utilities can all cause serious long-term harm to trees that appear healthy on the surface. In Cupertino, a tree protection plan is often a requirement as part of the building permit process for projects near protected trees. We prepare these plans regularly — establishing protective fencing zones, defining exclusion areas for equipment and materials, and providing guidance to contractors on how to operate safely around existing trees. Engaging an arborist early in the design process, before plans are finalized, gives you the most flexibility to protect what's there.

The most important things to verify: a valid CSLB license for tree work (C-61/D-49 classification), general liability and workers' compensation insurance, and genuine certified arborist credentials — not just a company that uses the word "arborist" in its marketing. Ask specifically whether the person making the arboricultural recommendation is a certified arborist, or whether assessments are made by a salesperson or crew lead. Be cautious of any company that leads with removal before discussing preservation options, quotes over the phone without seeing the tree, or can't provide documentation of their license and insurance. A reputable company welcomes those questions — it's the ones that deflect them you should walk away from.