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Tree Removal
updated: Apr 26, 2011, 2:34 PM

Need a referral. I have a very tall tree which appears to have died. Does anyone know of a reliable person or business to hire to cut it down?

Places People Are Talking About:

Artistic Tree	Economy Tree	Mark Crane Arborist
Mesa Tree	Vista	Westree

What People Are Saying:

COMMENT 167768	2011-04-26 02:42 PM
Check with the city tree czar before you even think about cutting down a tree on your very own property. You cannot decide if the tree has died. Only the city tree czar can do this or else you will be fined if it turned out to be one of his trees that just happens to live (or die) on your property. This is not a joke message. Read the SBMC section on this topic.
COMMENT 167773P	2011-04-26 02:54 PM
I don't see what's wrong with having to get a permit to cut a very old tree down. It's not decided by a czar, it's decided by an arborist and your neighbors have a say, too, since it affects them. Santa Barbara is a desirable place to live because we treasure and protect our architectural heritage, and our gardens, natural creek and ocean areas, and open spaces. It takes a little coming together to preserve that. For those who find these kinds of community standards onerous, a different kind of community is out there elsewhere. For the OP, reputable tree companies can get you the permit quickly, especially if the tree is posing a hazard.
COMMENT 167775	2011-04-26 03:03 PM
Mark Crane Arborist & Tree Svc Petersons Tree Care ~ Peter Scott both are very good, reasonable, licensed & bonded I will drop them a line that I have posted their info here. I've done business with them for years. Good luck
COMMENT 167777	2011-04-26 03:14 PM
Vista Tree Care. I would get estimates before doing anything but Vista does free estimates. Tony Warrecker and his wife Rea run it. They're great people in the community and come from a longtime Santa Barbara family. They've been doing my trees for years and Tony REALLY cares about the trees and about the environment etc. He'll tell you straight up if its salvageable or dead and needs removal. You can Google their website.
COMMENT 167778	2011-04-26 03:19 PM
artistic tree
COMMENT 167782	2011-04-26 03:36 PM
773P: It costs significantly more whenever you deal with the city. They apply rules seemingly in an arbitrary fashion. OP, if it is your property, do as you see fit.
DARYL	2011-04-26 03:44 PM
I second the Vista Tree Service (Warrecker Brothers) recommendation. We've had them do two jobs for us in the last six months, and they've been great to deal with.
COMMENT 167797P	2011-04-26 04:08 PM
OP here. Thanks for the referrals! Obviously, I would make sure it is dead before having it cut down. I love my trees and hate that this one bit the dust. If it is dead why in the world would one need permission to cut it down rather than leave it standing? Wouldn't a huge DEAD tree be a potential hazard? It if was to eventually fall it could smash my neighbor's house. Of course, if a permit is required, I'll obtain one. Thanks again! :)
COMMENT 167799	2011-04-26 04:19 PM
Mark Crane, certified arborist. He has done all of our work and all with permits which he acquired for us. He and his crew are excellent!!!
COMMENT 167801	2011-04-26 04:28 PM
773P - I wish BOTH my next door neighbors consulted me before they each had very large trees removed. The lack of shade completely destroyed our entire yard. (One neighbor impacted front yard, the other our back yard.) If the tree is on private property, I'd like to believe that it's only up to the whim of the property owner, however, as to whether a tree stays or goes. Just wish I could have begged my neighbors not to cut theirs...
COMMENT 167802	2011-04-26 04:34 PM
I object at the idea of removing a tree just because it's dead. A lot of animals / insects might be living in it, and one should not remove their habitat! A dead tree is also home to termites which might be in danger of extinction with all that tenting / pesticide use around town.
COMMENT 167803	2011-04-26 04:34 PM
I wouldn't worry about the tree permit if its dead take it down. I have cut down dead trees never bothered with a permit, not going to pay the city to tell me its dead, never a complaint from the neighbors either. Helpful thread may call some of them myself for some branches that need trimming. @1677773 some of the standards are onerous, to suggest people move elsewhere because they disagree with you is petty and small minded btw my family 5 generations here.
COMMENT 167805P	2011-04-26 04:39 PM
just curious, what type of tree? We have mature oaks on our property that are in need of trimming, I wonder, are there different rule for oaks?
COMMENT 167819	2011-04-26 05:14 PM
Mark Crane is the best!
COMMENT 167834	2011-04-26 06:24 PM
If it is on your own property but within 30 feet of a city street, it is no longer your tree. Its life or death is now controlled by the city. No scab tree cutting services allowed. Pay to play.
COMMENT 167842	2011-04-26 07:06 PM
Westree - the owner, Peter, is a licensed arborist and will know what rules apply and the best solution to any tree issues.
SBBOOKWORM	2011-04-26 07:40 PM
Arbor Services The best. 687-7779.
COMMENT 167869P	2011-04-26 09:32 PM
Re Crane's Tree. Mark Crane's brothers and cousins did all the work for Crane's tree for the past decade plus. There was a disagreement about who should get how much money, so the relatives/workers split off and are now Crane's tree care. We got estimates from both, and chose the relatives rather than Mark, as the price was much better. The massive tree removal was superbly done, and there is no evidence of where it once stood. Ditto on a dozen Italian Cypress that were huge, dying, and in the wrong place; they were also removed. I highly recommend Crane's tree Care over Mark Crane.
COMMENT 167872P	2011-04-26 09:57 PM
OP here again. I'd be willing to leave it standing if that is what my neighbors want, but I'd need them to sign a release of all liability on my part if the dead tree falls on their house or car... and/or injures or kills anyone on or near their property. Those of you who say they want the "shade", dead tree or not, would you willingly do that? I live in Montecito, by the way, and I don't think the tree is within 30 feet of any street. Again, I will do this "by the book" (California has more pages in that book than anywhere I've ever seen or heard of, methinks. I am not a native Californian, by the way.), but I'm not sure why it is even remotely controversial to consider cutting down a _dead_ tree on one's own property! (But then "property rights" seem to have very little meaning here. And I say that as a person who has always considered herself as a "liberal". After a few years here, I'm reconsidering that...) And to those of you who actually answered my question rather than preached, thanks again! I have a call in already to one company. If I don't hear back tomorrow, I'll try one of the others. I'll try to remember to post an update if any of you who want the shade at any cost, etc., are interested. ;-)
KDEF	2011-04-26 10:40 PM
7872p Could you kindly inform the Edhat readers what species of tree and where on your property it is. Currently in Montecito there are no restrictions except in the Coastal Zone. A certified arborist can tell you if it is truly dead and poses a danger. Also, the arborist can tell you what has caused the tree's demise. A disease such as oak root fungus could harm all the trees on your property.
EL BARBARENO	2011-04-27 06:53 AM
If it's an oak tree you may be in serious trouble. The City & County (despite the seperation of Church & State) worship the mighty oak and you may not touch of it any of its branches or limbs. To do so is akin to painting a picutre of Mohammed on the side of your car. My parents wanted to trim some branches on the oak in their front yard and were told they had to have city approval before they could do so.
COMMENT 167896P	2011-04-27 06:58 AM
Talk to Doug at Mesa Tree. He knows his trees. He does beautiful work & has also taken out trees that have either fallen or were hazardous for other reasons. Reasonable and very fair.
COMMENT 167914P	2011-04-27 07:46 AM
Arbor Services was the specialist mentioned most frequently when I asked Edhatters for an arborist to prune trees, so I tried them. They were great! The supervisor stayed the whole time, their cutting didn't damage any ground plants, and the trees look perfectly smaller.
COMMENT 167933	2011-04-27 08:13 AM
Rick Rudnick. I have known him personally since high school and we have used him at our complex for years. Absolutely the best! Our board has tried some of the rest. He’s been a certified Arborist for nearly 20 years and in the tree business for over thirty. He is the guy that mentored Mark Crane and his workers as well as some of the other company owners and climbers in the area. Always fairly priced, still climbs regularly and always on site. Meticulous! A true artist with an eye for pruning. The work is done quietly, safely and non invasively. Small, quality oriented, personal and busy so you might have to wait awhile. Our Oaks are so beautiful!
COMMENT 167937	2011-04-27 08:17 AM
Mark or Dan Crane (brothers with different companys)) do good work, so do the Warrecker brothers (Vista) and Economy tree. Shop around and get the best price. In this economy that is a must. But if you are in the City be sure you check with them as they have rules which may be overbearing, but for something like taking out an old dead tree, why bother to fight the system!
COMMENT 167938	2011-04-27 08:18 AM
Yes, call Tony Warrecker at Vista Tree They do great work. Used them for years and they have great references. Testimonials at their website "www.vistatree.com".
COMMENT 167963	2011-04-27 08:43 AM
Vista Tree Service - Tony Just had work done yesterday and he is excellent
SLIPROCK9	2011-04-27 09:39 AM
Here's another vote for Tony Warrecker and Vista Tree Service!
COMMENT 168142	2011-04-27 12:54 PM
Tony at Vista Tree! Go Dons!
COMMENT 168148P	2011-04-27 12:59 PM
OP here. To the person who asked what kind of tree... I _think_ it is a Monterey Cypress. Looking through my "Trees of Santa Barbara" book it says they grow as high as 75 feet, and this tree is quite tall and looks not unlike the photo in the book. There are many other of its kind all growing in a line, but only this one is gray-brown with no sign of life. There are, however, numerous huge stumps also in this line so there have been many other trees cut down on this same property over the years. I bought the house 8 years ago, and this is the first time I've had to call an arborist to the property. Hope it will be the last! I love trees, I love nature, and I love the privacy trees provide.
COMMENT 168207	2011-04-27 02:31 PM
Tony Warrecker at Vista Tree Service. High Quality work, a VERY easy going, upbeat personality...and a longtime Santa Barbara local. Another vote!
COMMENT 168399	2011-04-28 07:56 AM
Noticed Rudnick here and will vouch for him as well. Very good tree expert and Arborist. Our tree's our pruned with care, not hacked and mostly by Rick himself. An experienced Arborist in the tree is very nice. Doesn't advertise but don't think he needs to. THE Most polite and friendly crew. Only english spoken. My wife and I wouldn't even consider any of the others.
COMMENT 175816P	2011-05-23 10:44 AM
OP here. I went with Tony Warrecker at Vista Tree Service and it was quick and easy. :)
COMMENT 286975	2012-06-11 07:00 AM
Tony Warrecker -Vista Tree- is the best! He trims/thins out our giant sapote tree, cuts our hedges and just finished doing a ton of tree work on the house we bought next door.
COMMENT 409091	2013-05-15 04:25 PM
I highly recommend Economy Tree. They cut my big tree on my hard to reach side yard. I was at work when they did the work. I came home after work, my house looked the same as if no thing had happened, except a big tree was vanished. They left the work place very clearn. The price was very reasonable also.