Frequently Asked Questions

There are two paths for getting a quote. For many jobs, you can send photos of the tree to [email protected] and we'll review them at no charge to provide a preliminary assessment and estimate. For complex or urgent situations where an in-person evaluation is needed, there is an on-site assessment fee — which gets credited toward the work if you move forward. Call us at (408) 422-1313 and we'll tell you which approach makes the most sense for your situation before you commit to anything.

Removal is never our first recommendation. Proper assessment before action is the standard we hold ourselves to — and a tree that looks distressed may have years of healthy life left with the right care. Our arborists evaluate the tree's structure, health, and risk level before recommending any course of action. Many trees that homeowners assume need to come down can be preserved through structural pruning, deadwood removal, cabling, disease treatment, or a combination of approaches.

Yes. Tree health diagnostics and disease treatment are part of our arborist services. We've worked with a range of conditions — powdery mildew, spider mites, aphids, fungal infections, systemic infestations, and more. Treatment options vary by the specific issue and tree species. If you have a tree showing signs of decline — wilting leaves, discoloration, bark changes, or visible pest activity — we can assess what's happening and recommend a treatment plan. Early intervention is often far less costly than waiting.

Absolutely. Mature trees are a significant part of a property's character and, in many cases, its value. Our approach is safety first — without destroying the tree. A thorough risk assessment and health evaluation will give you an honest picture of what the tree needs. If it can be maintained safely, we'll tell you that and show you how. If it poses a genuine risk that can't be mitigated, we'll explain that clearly and walk you through the options.

A consultation is the right starting point. New homeowners often inherit trees and plantings they don't recognize and don't have care history for. Our team can walk the property with you, identify the species present, flag any immediate concerns, and put together a pruning schedule and care plan. We've worked with buyers in San Jose, Willow Glen, Almaden Valley, and across the South Bay who came in with specific tree species questions — oaks, Coast Redwoods, fruit trees, and others — and left with a clear, practical roadmap.

Yes. Invasive plant removal — including bamboo (even after the original source has been cut back and roots continue to re-sprout), poison oak, and ivy — is something we handle regularly. These situations require more than cutting down what's visible — the root systems need to be addressed properly to prevent regrowth. If invasive plants are encroaching on structures or under mature trees, we can assess the full scope of the problem and address it safely.

It depends on the tree and where it's located. The City of San Jose has protected tree ordinances that apply to certain species, sizes, and locations — and the rules vary across municipalities in the South Bay. We provide permit guidance as part of our arborist services and can help you understand what's required before any removal work begins. Developers and property owners working on new builds or demolitions in San Jose have used us specifically for this permit coordination process.

These terms are often used interchangeably but refer to different techniques with different goals. Structural pruning shapes a tree's architecture for long-term health and safety — typically done on younger trees or to correct problematic growth patterns. Crown reduction reduces the overall size of the canopy to manage weight, improve light, or reduce hazard near structures. Tree trimming is a broader term typically referring to the removal of problem branches — dead, crossing, or overextended growth. The right approach depends on the tree species, age, and what you're trying to achieve. We'll recommend the appropriate technique after evaluating your tree.

Yes. Emergency tree services are part of what we do. Silicon Valley's winter storms can bring down limbs or entire trees — sometimes onto fences, structures, or parked vehicles. If you have a tree that has fallen or is in immediate danger of falling, call us at (408) 422-1313. Past customers have contacted us after storm damage specifically because they knew and trusted the crew from prior work — and we prioritize those calls accordingly.

Yes. A tree risk assessment is a service in its own right — it's an evaluation of the tree's structure, attachment points, lean, root zone, and surrounding hazards that produces a clear picture of the risk level. Many trees that appear hazardous can be stabilized through cabling and bracing, targeted pruning, or root zone management. The goal of a risk assessment is to give you accurate information so you can make an informed decision — not to steer you toward removal.

We do both — and the two are often connected. San Jose Tree Service & Landscaping holds dual CSLB classifications in Tree Service (C-61/D-49) and Landscaping (C-27), which means we can manage integrated outdoor projects under one contractor. Landscape services include design and installation, plant selection (including drought-tolerant and native species), irrigation systems, xeriscaping and lawn alternative projects, outdoor living integration, and ongoing maintenance. If you're planning a full backyard redesign alongside tree work, we can coordinate the whole project.

Yes. Drought-tolerant plant selection, native species, xeriscaping, and lawn alternative projects are a core part of our landscaping services. Silicon Valley's dry summers and ongoing water conservation requirements make these practical, not just environmental choices. We can design and install a landscape that uses less water, requires less ongoing maintenance, and is better suited to the local climate than traditional turf-heavy designs.

Yes. We've handled hydro-seeding projects for property owners and developers who need slope stabilization or erosion control to satisfy permit requirements after grading or construction work. If you have a specific acreage requirement or a permit condition that describes the scope, share that information when you contact us and we can work with those requirements directly.

Yes. Hedge removal — including tall specimens and grouped plantings — with full stump removal is something we handle. We'll confirm what's involved when you reach out, as stump removal complexity varies depending on root depth, proximity to structures, and the species being removed. If you want clean removal with no re-sprouting, tell us that upfront so we approach it accordingly.

Yes. Several customers come to us with insurance compliance requirements — trimming trees away from structures, rooflines, or utility lines to meet coverage conditions. We handle the work and can provide documentation of what was done, the scope of the reduction, and confirmation of completion. If your insurer specifies particular clearances or reduction amounts, share that with us before the work begins so we address the requirement accurately.

No. City-owned trees and street trees fall under municipal jurisdiction and require permits and approvals from the relevant city department — they are not covered under the standard residential tree service process. If you have a tree near the street and are unsure whether it belongs to the city or your property, your city's public works or urban forestry department is the right first call. We can advise you on the distinction when you contact us.

Yes. San Jose Tree Service, Inc. holds CSLB License #985639 with dual classifications — C-61/D-49 for Tree Service and C-27 for Landscaping. This dual classification is relatively uncommon and allows us to perform integrated tree and landscape work under one licensed contractor rather than requiring you to coordinate between two separate companies. The company is also BBB-accredited since August 23, 2013, and carries a 4.96-star average across 70 Google reviews.

We serve San Jose (including Willow Glen and Almaden Valley) as our primary market, with active project work in Los Gatos, Saratoga, and Campbell. We also cover Cupertino, Santa Clara, and Monte Sereno, and serve customers in Sunnyvale, Mountain View, and Milpitas. If you're in the greater South Bay and are unsure whether we cover your area, call (408) 422-1313 or send a message through sanjosetreemaintenance.com — we'll confirm quickly.

We aim to respond to all inquiries as quickly as possible. For photo-based estimates, send your images to [email protected] with a brief description of the job — we'll review them and get back to you with an assessment. For post-visit estimates, our goal is same-day or next-day delivery after the site evaluation. If you've had a consultation and are still waiting to hear back, call us directly at (408) 422-1313 — we'd rather you reach us than take your project elsewhere.

Call us at (408) 422-1313 or visit sanjosetreemaintenance.com to reach out. If you have photos of the tree or area in question, including them in your first contact will speed things up considerably. We serve homeowners, property managers, HOAs, and commercial property owners throughout San Jose and the surrounding South Bay. The goal of every first call is to understand what you're dealing with and put you on the right path — not to sell you a service you don't need.