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Tree Trimming in Placerville

We cover Placerville too. Call (530) 380-5512 and we'll get a tree pro out to your place, on a steep street near downtown or out on the edge of the city.

As the county seat and an incorporated city, Placerville writes some of its own rules. That's the main way it differs from Cameron Park when it comes to trees.

Hangtown and its oak

Long before the Gold Rush, a Maidu settlement called Indak stood where the town is now. After James Marshall found gold in nearby Coloma in 1848, Placerville was first known as Dry Diggin's. Later in 1849 it picked up the nickname Hangtown, after hangings there. One story has three men hanged from an oak tree on Main Street by a mob. The city was incorporated in 1854 and took its name from the placer gold deposits nearby.

Today the 2020 census counts 10,747 people. The city sits at about 1,867 feet, a good bit higher than Cameron Park.

City rules, not county rules

Here's the thing that trips people up. The Cameron Park district's fire page notes that El Dorado County's vegetation code applies to parcels across the county, except the City of Placerville. The city handles its own.

A vegetation ordinance taken up by the city council in 2019 lists rules like these.

Tree branches limbed up 10 feet from the ground.
At least 10 feet of clear space around chimney and stovepipe outlets, in every direction.
A 10-foot minimum clearance of plants next to the roadside, which can be extended.
Trees next to a building kept trimmed so they barely overhang it, with dead wood taken out.
Roofs and gutters kept free of leaves, needles and dead wood.
Climbing vines removed from trees and buildings.

Rules get updated, so check with the city for the current version before a big project. But as a to-do list for a trim, that one's pretty handy.

Steep lots and street-side limbs

That roadside rule matters on narrow, hilly streets. Low limbs over a lane slow down anyone trying to get through. Lifting them is what the International Society of Arboriculture calls raising, which means taking off lower branches to clear room for buildings, vehicles and people.

Just don't overdo it. A quarter of the crown in one go is the ISA's upper limit, and older trees get less.

Want a second set of eyes first? A Placerville Fire Safe Council shows up on the countywide council's list. That countywide group runs a free home assessment. It isn't an inspection, so there's no penalty, just advice on what to fix around the house.

What trimming costs in Placerville

For a few limbs over a roof or road, Homeyou puts branch removal at $168 to $486, about $312 on average. A general trim of one tree runs $212 to $688 in the same guide. Limbs over roofs and wires push it toward the top.

Tight spots can add to it. HomeGuide says trees with limited access may need smaller gear or hand work, which raises the cost. Ask if the price includes cleanup and hauling.

Placerville questions

Do you cover Placerville addresses?

We do. Phone (530) 380-5512 with your street, and a pro who works in town gets booked.

Does the county vegetation code apply in Placerville?

Per the Cameron Park district's fire page, the county code reaches every parcel with a building except those inside Placerville city limits. Ask City Hall about its version.

How far should limbs be from the road?

The city's 2019 ordinance draft lists a 10-foot minimum clearance next to the roadside. Confirm the current rule with the city.