Tree Service · Sacramento, CA
Tree Service in Sacramento: Expert Pruning, Trimming & Removal
TreeMax is a licensed, insured Sacramento-area tree service specializing in pruning and trimming done to ISA standards, plus removal, stump grinding, and emergency work. Every estimate is done by an ISA Certified Arborist.
416 five-star Google reviews (5.0) · CA License #1040660 · Based in Citrus Heights. Looking for tree pruning in Sacramento? It's the work we do best.
416
Five-Star Google Reviews
2017
Founded 2017 · Based in Citrus Heights
#1040660
CA Contractor License
ISA
We Have ISA Certified Arborists
Pruning & Trimming in Sacramento: What We Do Best
We prune for the long-term health and structure of the tree, not just for looks. That means we remove only what's needed. The work is done by our own crews, trained to ISA standards, and we have ISA Certified Arborists. A well-pruned tree is healthier, safer in a storm, and cheaper to care for over its life than one that's been hacked back every few years.
Tree Pruning
Crown cleaning, thinning, raising, reduction, and structural pruning, each matched to the tree and what you need from it. Cuts are made at the branch collar so the tree can seal them, and we stay within the canopy limits that keep a tree healthy.
Tree Trimming & Clearance
Branches over roofs, shading solar panels, hanging over driveways, or a tree that has simply outgrown its space. We trim for clearance and size while keeping the tree's natural shape. See tree trimming and roof & building clearance. For timing by species, read the best time to trim trees in Sacramento.
Deadwood Removal
Dead branches are a falling hazard, and they can be removed any time of year, including on oaks. See deadwood removal.
Cabling & Bracing
Support for split trunks or heavy limbs. When it fits, cabling and bracing is an alternative to removal that keeps a valuable tree standing. Read more about cabling and bracing trees in Sacramento.
Pricing: a small tree added to a larger job runs about $200–$400; standalone visits start at $650. See the FAQ below or our tree trimming cost guide.
Pruning Sacramento's Valley Oaks
Valley oaks are some of the largest and oldest trees in older Sacramento neighborhoods like Land Park and Curtis Park. They respond well to careful pruning and badly to topping or heavy cuts. Here is the timing we follow:
- Light maintenance pruning, under about 10% of the canopy, is fine year-round.
- Heavier pruning, or cutting into a lot of live wood, waits for the winter dormant season.
- Deadwood can be removed any time.
In the City of Sacramento, native oaks at 12-inch DSH or larger are Private Protected Trees, so pruning or removing them needs a city permit. See our valley oak care guide and the Sacramento tree permit guide.
Other Tree Services in Sacramento
Tree Removal
Dead, dying, storm-damaged, or badly placed trees, taken down in sections when they're close to houses, fences, or lines. See tree removal and our Sacramento tree removal cost guide. Not sure which you need? Read tree removal vs. trimming.
Stump Grinding
We grind stumps below grade, so you can replant or reclaim the space. See stump grinding.
Emergency Tree Service
Storm damage, fallen trees, and failing limbs. We prioritize safety emergencies and will get to you as fast as possible. If power lines are down, call SMUD first; we can handle the tree once the line is secured. See emergency tree service and what to do after storm damage.
Hazardous Limbs, Lot & View Clearance, Risk Assessment
- Hazardous limb removal: cracked, dead, or overhanging limbs taken down before they fall.
- Lot & view clearance: selective pruning and clearing to open views and usable space.
- Risk assessment: an evaluation of a tree's health and structure, so you can decide what to do.
HOAs & Commercial Properties
We work for HOAs and commercial properties as well as homeowners, with the same pruning standards and full cleanup.
Sacramento Tree Permits: What You Need to Know
In the City of Sacramento, you need a permit to prune or remove a City Tree or a Private Protected Tree. Most other private trees don't need one. According to the City of Sacramento tree permits page, Private Protected Trees include:
- Native trees (valley, interior, coast, and blue oaks, California sycamore, and buckeye) at 12-inch DSH or larger.
- Any tree at 32-inch DSH or larger on a lot with a single-family or duplex home.
- Any tree at 24-inch DSH or larger on undeveloped land or other property types, such as commercial or apartments.
DSH is diameter at standard height; the city explains how to measure a tree's DSH. City Trees include street trees, park-strip trees, and other trees in the public right-of-way. Permits are generally processed within 10 business days, and the city's application form lists a $50 fee and “Prune” as a regulated activity.
Unincorporated areas such as Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, and Antelope follow Sacramento County rules instead. See our City of Sacramento permit guide and our Sacramento County permit guide.
Sacramento's Common Trees
Besides valley oaks, these are the trees we're called about most often in Sacramento, and the pruning that usually fixes the problem.
🌳 Blue Gum Eucalyptus
Fast-growing and known for dropping heavy limbs without warning. Many Sacramento properties have eucalyptus planted decades ago that are now very large. Crown cleaning and weight reduction on long limbs lower the risk, and a risk assessment tells you whether a tree near your house should stay.
🌳 Chinese Pistache & Liquidambar
Both were planted widely across Sacramento neighborhoods and many are now mature. Chinese pistache is generally a strong tree. Liquidambar is more prone to included bark and weak branch unions that can fail under load, so structural pruning to reduce weight on those unions is the usual fix.
🌳 Deodar Cedar
Common in older Sacramento neighborhoods. Deodars grow large and need clearance pruning around roofs and driveways as they mature. Raising and thinning, done gradually, keeps them clear of the house without spoiling their shape.
Sacramento Neighborhoods We Serve
We work throughout the City of Sacramento, including these neighborhoods:
Land Park
Mature canopy and large valley oaks.
East Sacramento
Mature street and yard trees in older neighborhoods.
Curtis Park
Mature canopy and valley oaks.
Nearby cities we serve
Not sure whether your address is in our area? Call (916) 580-7932 and we'll let you know.
Why Sacramento Homeowners Choose TreeMax
ISA Certified Arborists
Every estimate is done by an ISA Certified Arborist, and we have ISA Certified Arborists on our team.
Our Own Crews
The work is done by our own crews, trained to ISA standards.
416 Five-Star Reviews
416 five-star Google reviews, with a 5.0 rating.
Licensed & Insured
CA Contractor License #1040660, with general liability and workers' compensation coverage.
Family-Owned Since 2017
Founded in 2017 by Max Echols and based at 8421 Auburn Blvd, Suite 258, Citrus Heights.
Free Estimates, Paid on Completion
Free written estimates, full cleanup on every job, and payment only when the work is done.
Read what customers say on our reviews page, or learn more about TreeMax.
Sacramento Tree Service FAQ
Who does tree pruning in Sacramento?
TreeMax prunes trees across Sacramento to ISA standards, and every estimate is done by an ISA Certified Arborist. The work is done by our own crews.
How much does tree service cost in Sacramento?
A small tree added to a larger job runs about $200–$400. A standalone or small-scope visit has a $650 minimum and often runs around $850. Estimates are free, and the final price depends on tree size, access, and cleanup.
Do I need a permit to prune or remove a tree in Sacramento?
Yes, for City Trees and Private Protected Trees in the City of Sacramento. Protected trees include native oaks and other natives at 12-inch DSH or larger, any tree at 32-inch DSH on a single-family or duplex lot, and any tree at 24-inch DSH on other property types.
When can valley oaks be pruned?
Light pruning, under about 10% of the canopy, is fine year-round. Heavier pruning waits for winter dormancy. Deadwood can be removed any time.
Is tree pruning or removal better for my tree?
If the tree is structurally sound, pruning or cabling and bracing can often save it. Removal is for trees that are dead, failing, or badly placed.
Is TreeMax licensed and insured?
Yes. TreeMax holds CA Contractor License #1040660 and carries general liability and workers' compensation coverage.
Does TreeMax offer emergency tree service in Sacramento?
Yes, for storm damage, fallen trees, and failing limbs. Call (916) 580-7932; we prioritize safety emergencies and will get to you as fast as possible. For downed power lines, call SMUD first.
What areas near Sacramento does TreeMax serve?
Citrus Heights (our home base), Antelope, Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, Folsom, Roseville, Rocklin, Granite Bay, and Loomis, as well as Sacramento itself.
Get a Free Estimate
Every estimate is free, on site, and done by an ISA Certified Arborist.
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–3:30 PM · Emergencies handled outside regular hours
TreeMax Tree Service · 8421 Auburn Blvd, Suite 258, Citrus Heights, CA 95610 · CA License #1040660