Tree Removal in Placerville
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Placerville jobs, in town or up in the hills, are ones we take. Call (530) 479-3598 and we'll get a tree pro on the calendar.
First question we'll ask: are you inside the city limits or out in the county? It changes a few of the rules.
The one real city around here
Placerville is an actual city, plus the El Dorado County seat. Incorporated May 13, 1854. Population 10,747 in 2020, a little over the 10,389 of 2010. ZIP code 95667.
Hangtown is still the nickname. The city has two California Historical Landmarks, the Overland Pony Express Route (#701) and one called Old Dry Diggins-Old Hangtown (#475).
City lots work a little different
Being a real city means some county rules stop at the city line. As the Cameron Park fire district's page puts it, the county's defensible space rule covers parcels countywide except inside the City of Placerville. In town, the city sets its own.
A few other city differences we've found:
- Real estate fire inspections inside city limits are still done by the county fire district, and you request them through a city form on the district's site.
- Open campfires aren't allowed in the city during fire season. A fireplace or a grill is still fine.
- The city's zoning code asks approved projects to follow its Tree Preservation Guidelines.
Inside or outside the line? The fire district's AB 38 page has a map for looking up a street address.
Steep ground and older trees
Downtown sits around 1,867 feet, but parts of the area climb toward 4,000 feet. Wikipedia lists average rainfall at 38.11 inches a year. So expect steep lots and real winter rain, both of which slow tree work down.
Steep lots are where tree work gets pricey. Gear is hard to get in, and pieces often have to be lowered by rope instead of dropped. Narrow streets can make it worse, since the truck and chipper may have to park a ways off. Tell us if parking is tight on your block.
Fire stations in town
Station 25 at 3034 Sacramento Street covers the city, with a crew there day and night. The district's aerial ladder truck is parked at Station 26 on Main Street.
Old trees near old houses
Placerville has a lot of history on its streets. If you've got a big old tree over an old roof, tell us. The pro will likely need to take it apart in pieces and lower each one, which takes longer.
Also ask if the stump can stay. On a tight lot, grinding it might mean bringing a smaller grinder through a side gate.
What it might run
For a large tree, 60 to 80 feet, This Old House lists $800 to $1,500. For trees over 80 feet, $1,000 to $2,000. This Old House also says a tree on a steep slope or a hard-to-reach spot takes more work, which raises the price.
Asked in Placerville
Do the county oak rules apply in the city?
The county oak ordinance is county zoning, which covers the unincorporated county. Inside the city, ask the City of Placerville about its tree guidelines first.
Can I burn yard waste in Placerville?
Burning rules follow burn days and fire season like everywhere else, and the city adds its own limits on open fires during fire season. Check before you light anything.
Do you cover the hills outside the city too?
Yes. Out there it's county land, and the county's 100-foot clearing rule applies.
More places
A short drive away: Diamond Springs, El Dorado, Gold Hill and Pleasant Valley. Or jump to tree removal in Shingle Springs. See all the places we cover.