We provide tree service in Upland, CA for trees on private property: removal, trimming and crown thinning, palm trimming, stump grinding and fire-safe pruning, from Downtown Upland to the neighborhoods near the foothills. Upland's street trees are a different matter. The City and its own contractor prune and remove street trees, and parkway tree removal needs a City permit, so we never work on a parkway tree. Call (909) 479-2614 about the trees on your lot.
Upland's street tree rules
Upland's municipal code on tree care is clear about street trees. Pruning and removal of trees in the public right-of-way is done by the City or its designated contractor, not by private tree services. Removal of a tree in a parkway needs a permit issued by the City Manager, and removals are generally allowed only for dead, diseased or hazardous trees, emergencies or chronic damage to curbs, gutters and sidewalks. Trees along Euclid Avenue are handled under separate City Council policy. Upland also keeps a register of heritage and landmark trees. You can read the rules in Upland Municipal Code Chapter 12.26, Tree Care.
If a street tree in front of your home needs attention, contact the City of Upland. For trees on your own property, check with the City before removing any large or notable tree, especially in historic areas.
Euclid Avenue and Upland's tree heritage
Euclid Avenue, which runs from Ontario north through Upland toward the mountains, is one of the most famous streets in the Inland Empire. Its wide median and tall trees were planned as a grand boulevard, and the Madonna of the Trail monument stands along it at the north end of Upland's historic area. Downtown Upland, centered on Second Avenue, is surrounded by older neighborhoods with large pepper trees, sycamores, oaks, camphors and Canary Island pines.
Those older trees are the bulk of our work in Upland. They have been through many Santa Ana seasons, and many have old topping cuts or deadwood that need attention. Further north, homes near San Antonio Heights and the Upland Hills sit closer to the foothills and see stronger winds and more fire risk.
Common tree jobs in Upland
- Tree trimming and crown thinning on mature pepper trees, sycamores and pines.
- Deadwood removal before Santa Ana wind season.
- Tree removal of dead or failing trees on private lots.
- Palm tree trimming for fan and date palms.
- Stump grinding after removals.
- Roof and chimney clearance on homes near the foothills.
Wind and fire near the foothills
North Upland sits right below the San Gabriel Mountains. Santa Ana winds come down the canyons with force, and homes near brush-covered slopes may fall in mapped fire hazard areas. Defensible space tree work helps keep branches off the roof and fuel away from the house. Check your address on CAL FIRE's maps to learn which rules apply to you.
Older trees and careful pruning
Many of Upland's private trees are as old as the houses around them. Large old trees respond poorly to heavy cuts, so we take a lighter approach: removing deadwood, thinning selectively and reducing only what is needed for clearance. If a tree has serious decay or a growing lean, a closer look comes first.
Power lines
Older Upland streets often have overhead lines running through back yards and along alleys. Trees within 10 feet of a line must be handled by Southern California Edison first. Call SCE at 1-800-611-1911 before anyone prunes near the wires.
Nearby areas
We also serve neighboring Rancho Cucamonga and Claremont, plus Montclair and Ontario to the south. See all our service areas.
Watering older trees
Many Upland yards have switched from lawn to drought-tolerant plantings. Mature trees that grew up on lawn sprinklers often struggle when the water stops. A slow, deep soak at the edge of the canopy every few weeks during summer keeps them going, and a ring of mulch over the roots helps the soil hold water. Signs of stress include small or yellowing leaves, thinning canopy and dead branch tips. If you see those, have the tree checked before the next wind season.
Planting the right tree
After a removal, many Upland owners want to replant. A tree that suits the spot saves money later. Keep large species well away from the house, walls and lines, and choose trees that handle heat and wind. Ask the City of Upland about any planting rules for the parkway before planting there, since street trees follow the City's list.
Many trees we prune in Upland were topped long ago, and their regrowth is now heavy and weakly attached. Correcting that takes careful thinning over more than one visit.
Leaf and needle cleanup
Big pines, camphors and pepper trees drop needles, leaves and berries onto Upland roofs and gutters all year. Keeping branches several feet off the roof cuts the mess and reduces fire risk near the foothills, where embers can land in dry debris.
Common questions
Can I hire a tree service to prune the street tree in front of my house in Upland?
No. Upland's code has street trees pruned and removed by the City or its designated contractor. Contact the City of Upland to request work on a street tree. A private tree service can work only on trees on your own property, and we will not cut a City street tree.
When will Upland remove a parkway tree?
Removal of a parkway tree requires a City Manager permit, and the code generally limits it to dead, diseased or hazardous trees, emergencies, or trees causing chronic damage to curbs, gutters or sidewalks. Trees along Euclid Avenue follow separate City Council policy. Contact the City about a specific tree.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my backyard in Upland?
Check with the City of Upland before removing any large tree on private property, especially if it may be on the City's heritage or landmark tree register or in a historic area. Rules can also depend on project conditions and HOA covenants. We will not remove a tree that needs approval until it is in hand.