Tree Trimming in Sly Park
Out by the lake, Sly Park is a place we serve. Ring (530) 248-6054 about your pines, cedars or oaks. We pick the day with a nearby pro, and you hear the price before work begins.
The lake
Jenkinson Lake, up at 3,400 feet
Jenkinson Lake is what Sly Park is known for. The reservoir sits at 3,400 feet and spreads over 650 acres, per Wikipedia. It first filled in 1952 and carries the name of Walter E. Jenkinson, who managed the El Dorado Irrigation District.
Wikipedia lists boating, camping, fishing, horseback riding and hiking as common things to do there. Anywhere people camp and park under tall trees, a dead limb is worth a second look.
Fire and trees
What the Caldor Fire did here
Early in August 2021 the Caldor Fire raced through Grizzly Flat toward Jenkinson Lake, the main water supply for the area. Wikipedia reports that pines and brush ringing parts of the lake burned away.
That changes how people feel about the trees that are left. A healthy pine near a lake home matters a lot now. So does keeping it healthy.
A pine that gets water through a dry spell stands a better chance against beetles, which pick on trees already worn down. UC suggests deep but rare watering in a drought, about twice a month.
Timing
When to cut near the lake
The beetle rule applies here as much as anywhere. No pine pruning from February to mid-October, says UC's guide. So a June cut to clear a view of the water is the wrong idea.
Oaks follow their own rule. UC's Master Gardeners prune leaf-dropping oaks in winter and evergreen ones in summer. Ask your pro which type you have.
Don't stack fresh-cut logs by other trees. UC advises against piling unseasoned wood near woody plants, and against hauling firewood from place to place. Handy to know if you camp.
Prices
What it costs
Roads near the lake can be narrow and busy in camping season, so ask the pro about the best days to come.
A tall lakeside pine is a big job. LawnStarter puts pine trimming at $210-$1,630. Fixr says $200-$1,800. Thumbtack lists an average of $402-$1,158 for tree trimming projects overall.
A small cedar near a cabin costs less. Homeyou lists small tree trimming at $92-$248. Narrow roads and steep driveways add time, and a pro adds that to the quote.
Part-time homes
If the place sits empty part of the year
Plenty of lake homes and cabins stay shut for weeks. A dead limb has all that time to come down on the deck or the roof. Before you leave for a long stretch, take a slow walk around and look up.
Ask a neighbor to check after big storms. And if you spot trouble from far away, phone us. We can set up the visit by phone, and the pro can look while you are gone. Then you hear the price before you agree to anything.
One more thing about a lake town: visitors come and go, so a limb that looks fine in March may be over a crowded campsite by July. Ask the pro how often to re-check big trees near shared spots.
Questions
Sly Park questions
Can I book a pro in the Sly Park area?
Yes. Call (530) 248-6054 with your road and your tree type.
Can I cut a pine to open a lake view?
Only outside February through mid-October. UC says fresh cuts in that stretch can attract beetles.
Where should I put the cut logs?
Keep it clear of other trees. UC advises against stacking freshly cut wood next to woody landscape plants.
Close by
Nearby
Try tree trimming in Pollock Pines, Grizzly Flats or Apple Hill. See mistletoe and bark beetles, or the Camino home page.