We provide tree service in Claremont, CA for trees on private property, including tree removal, trimming and crown thinning, palm frond cleanup, stump grinding and fire-safe pruning near the foothills. Claremont is known as the City of Trees, and its rules cover City-owned trees and trees in public rights-of-way and easements. Those need a permit from Community Services before anyone works on them. Call (909) 479-2614 about the trees on your own lot.
Claremont's tree rules
Claremont's tree policies are built around its large urban forest of City trees. Trees owned by the City, and trees in the public right-of-way or in City easements over private property, are protected, and no one may prune, remove or disturb them without a permit from Community Services. If a City tree sits in an easement on your lot, you are expected to protect and water it. Claremont's tree policies page explains the program, and Community Services can be reached at (909) 399-5431.
The City's guidance says trees entirely on private property and outside a City easement are not covered by its City tree rules, but check with the City of Claremont before removing a large tree if you are unsure where the easement lies.
The City of Trees
Claremont's streets are among the most heavily shaded in the region. Old oaks, sycamores, camphors, deodars, pines and many other species line the streets around the Claremont Colleges and the Village, where shops and restaurants sit under a deep canopy. North of Foothill Boulevard, the California Botanic Garden showcases native plants and trees suited to the dry climate, and is a good place to see what grows well here.
Private yards in Claremont often have trees as large and old as the street trees, and they need the same careful care. We favor light pruning: deadwood removal, selective thinning and clearance cuts back to healthy branches. Topping and lion-tailing are never part of our work.
Foothill homes and fire safety
North Claremont and Padua Hills sit against the San Gabriel foothills, next to the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park and other open space. Many of those homes are in mapped fire hazard areas. Defensible space tree work, including roof clearance, ladder-fuel removal and dead frond removal, is a big part of what those homeowners need. Check your address on CAL FIRE's maps to see which rules apply.
Common tree jobs in Claremont
- Tree trimming and crown thinning on mature private trees.
- Deadwood removal before Santa Ana season.
- Tree removal of dead or failing private trees.
- Palm tree trimming and seed pod removal.
- Stump grinding after removals.
- Defensible space pruning on foothill properties.
Native trees and oaks
Many Claremont yards have native coast live oaks, sycamores and other California species. Oaks in particular dislike heavy pruning, summer watering near the trunk and soil or paving over their roots. We prune them only as needed and keep equipment off the root zone. If you are planting, the California Botanic Garden's displays are a good guide to what thrives with little water.
Wind and power lines
Santa Ana winds come down the canyons above Claremont, and big trees over homes need checking before the season. Any tree within 10 feet of an overhead line must be made safe by Southern California Edison first. Call SCE at 1-800-611-1911.
Nearby areas
We also serve neighboring La Verne, Upland and Pomona. See all our service areas.
Leaf litter, roofs and gutters
With so many big trees, Claremont roofs and gutters fill up with leaves, needles and seed pods every fall. That debris holds water, rots shingles and, near the foothills, catches embers during Santa Ana fire weather. Clearance pruning that keeps branches several feet off the roof reduces the load and is one of the most useful jobs for homes under large trees.
Walking the Village
The streets around the Village and the Colleges are a good place to see how big, well-pruned trees should look. Notice how mature trees keep their natural shape, with branches spaced out along the trunk and no stubs or clusters of shoots. That is the result of proper thinning and reduction over a long time. Topped trees, by comparison, have thick clusters of weak shoots at the ends of cut limbs.
Planting the right tree
If you replace a tree on your lot, Claremont's Right Tree in the Right Place guidance is useful even for private yards. Choose a species that fits the space at full size, keep large trees away from lines and foundations, and favor drought-tolerant species that suit the climate.
Wildlife in big trees
Claremont's large trees are home to hawks, owls, squirrels and many songbirds. Before pruning or removing a tree during spring and early summer, we check for active nests, since nesting birds are protected under California law. If we find one, the work may wait until the young have left.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to prune a tree in Claremont?
If it is a City tree, a tree in the public right-of-way or a tree in a City easement on your property, yes. Those need a permit from Claremont Community Services, (909) 399-5431. Trees entirely on private property and outside a City easement are not covered by the City tree rules, but check if you are unsure.
How do I know if a tree is in a City easement?
Easements are often along the street frontage of a lot, but they vary. Your property records may show them, and Claremont Community Services can tell you whether a particular tree is a City tree. If there is any doubt, ask the City before pruning or removing it.
How should I care for an old oak in my Claremont yard?
Native oaks do best with light pruning only as needed, no summer watering near the trunk, and no soil, paving or heavy equipment over the root zone. Remove deadwood and keep clearance over the roof. If the oak shows decay, fungus or a growing lean, have it looked at before deciding on major work.