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Tree Trimming in Shingle Springs

Farther down Highway 50, at the edge of our map, sits Shingle Springs, and it's still in. Dial (530) 248-6054 with your street and what kind of tree, and a nearby pro will be lined up.

Town facts

Shingles, springs and a landmark

The 2020 census counted 4,660 residents. Shingle Springs is roughly 40 miles out from Sacramento, set among Gold Country hills along Highway 50. Placerville and Coloma are each under 15 miles off.

The name comes from a horse-drawn shingle machine that could turn out 16,000 shingles a day, set up by the springs at the west edge of a gold camp. The town is California Historical Landmark #456.

The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, a federally recognized tribe, is headquartered here. Before the gold rush, Wikipedia says a Maidu village called Bamom stood in the area.

Wood and shingles

A town named for wood

Funny to think a shingle machine named this place. It tells you trees were work here long before they were shade. Today the trees are mostly there to be lived with.

That brings us to the practical bit. Most trees near homes need a few cuts a few years apart, not a rescue. LawnStarter says mature trees need trimming every three to five years, and young ones every two to three.

The International Society of Arboriculture agrees on the "why." It says common reasons for pruning are to remove dead branches, improve form and reduce risk. Pick the reason first, then let the pro choose the cuts.

Highway noise and wires

Trees along a busy corridor

Near a busy highway, many lots have trees close to roads and utility lines. PG&E wants people and tools 10 feet or more from powerlines, so a tree by a line is for a pro.

PG&E also makes the owner responsible for the wire to the house, the service drop, staying clear of foliage and dead or hazardous trees. If a limb crosses that wire, book a visit. The power line page explains who handles what.

Pruning seasons

A quick season guide

• Apples and pears: winter.
• Apricots and cherries: July and August only.
• Deciduous oaks: winter. Evergreen oaks: summer.
• Pines: not February to mid-October.

All of those come from UC sources. The calendar shows them month by month.

Prices

What it costs

National guides give a range. Thumbtack says $402-$1,158 on average, with a full range of $186-$2,456. Fixr lists a small tree at $75-$300. LawnStarter says $78 for a small tree and up to $1,835 for a large one.

Your pro prices the job after seeing it. Ask what the quote covers, such as cleanup and hauling.

Ask the pro

Five questions worth asking

• Which branches will you cut, and why?
• How much of the crown comes off?
• What will the tree look like afterward?
• Does the price include cleanup and hauling?
• When will the work be done?

A pro who answers these without fuss is a good sign. A vague answer to the first one is worth a second quote. Tell us, and we will try to find another pro.

Close by

Nearby

Close by are Coloma, El Dorado and Placerville. Go back home or see all towns.