Certified Arborist in Palo Alto – Expert Tree Removal & Trimming Services
Quality Tree Services in Palo Alto
At NewVista Tree Service, we offer expert tree care services in Palo Alto, backed by ISA Certified Arborists , proper licensing, and full compliance with city tree protection rules. Whether you need professional pruning, tree removal, or permit assistance, we ensure your project meets Palo Alto’s strict standards.
We’ve helped homeowners and property managers across neighborhoods like Crescent Park, Old Palo Alto, Barron Park, Midtown, and Duveneck/St. Francis with everything from trimming approvals to complex removals involving heritage oaks and protected trees.
Our team doesn’t just cut trees—we protect Palo Alto’s urban forest with precision, safety, and long-term tree health in mind.
Tree Removal in Palo Alto – By Certified Arborists Only
In Palo Alto, you can’t just remove a tree -especially if it’s native, large, or within the city’s protected tree list.
The city requires tree removal to be reviewed by a Certified Arborist and permitted by municipal staff.
At NewVista, we prepare detailed arborist reports, conduct root zone evaluations, and work with city planners to ensure each removal is both justified and code-compliant.
We Provide:
-
Arborists Reports
-
Tree Risk Assessments
-
Tree Consulting
-
Professional Tree Removal Services
We’ve removed hazardous eucalyptus near schools in Green Acres, structurally failing pines in Charleston Meadows, and overcrowded trees impacting development projects in Ventura — always with city approval and arborist documentation.
Its important to note the City of Palo Alto has updated its tree ordinance in the last 3 years, so its worth checking before you remove a Tree!
FREE Estimate
30 min • Free
Tree Trimming & Pruning – Health, Safety & Structure
Tree trimming in Palo Alto is more than a maintenance task — it’s a long-term investment in the health of your trees and safety of your property. Our certified arborists perform structural pruning, canopy thinning, deadwood removal, and clearance trimming according to ANSI A300 standards.
We frequently service homes and commercial sites in Adobe Meadow, Esther Clark Park, and Downtown North, where we carefully balance form, function, and the city’s protection guidelines — especially when working near sidewalks, driveways, or utilities.
We Offer Exceptional Trimming Services:
-
Crown Raising
-
Thinning of Crown
-
Weight Reduction on Limbs
-
Insurance Compliance Trimming
-
Restorative Pruning From Past Incorrect Pruning
-
Trimming for Clearance
Permit Support & Compliance Expertise
Palo Alto’s tree preservation ordinances are strict for good reason — but that doesn’t mean they have to be a headache. We guide clients through every step of the city’s tree removal or pruning application process. We’ve helped property owners in South of Midtown and Evergreen Park receive timely permits by providing proper reports, impact assessments, and follow-up inspections when needed.
⚠️ Don’t Risk a Citation — Hire a Qualified Arborist for Tree Work in Palo Alto
Palo Alto enforces some of the strictest tree protection rules in California. Hiring an unqualified or unlicensed tree service can lead to costly citations, permit denials, or irreversible damage to protected trees. The city requires that all tree pruning, removal, and construction-related assessments be performed by a Certified Arborist familiar with the Tree Technical Manual and municipal code.
Experts in Palo Alto’s Tree Technical Manual
Palo Alto has some of the most detailed and strictly enforced tree regulations in the Bay Area. At NewVista Tree Service, we’re well-versed in the city’s Tree Technical Manual and understand exactly what’s required when it comes to pruning standards, removals, and construction-related impacts.
Our Certified Arborists are experienced in preparing reports, navigating the permit process, and communicating with city staff to ensure full compliance. Whether it’s protecting a tree during development or removing a hazardous one, we follow city guidelines to the letter — helping our clients avoid delays, fines, or denied permits.
Link to Most Current Tree Technical Manual : HERE
Why Palo Alto Chooses NewVista Tree Service
-
ISA Certified Arborists on every job
-
Fully licensed & insured
-
Local experience in high-permit zones
-
Familiarity with Palo Alto’s Tree Technical Manual
-
Compliant with all ANSI & ISA tree care standards
-
Trusted by homeowners, HOAs, developers, and city inspectors
FAQ In Palo Alto
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Palo Alto?
The City of Palo Alto regulates the removal of trees that fall under the following protected categories:
-
Street Trees or Public Trees (Includes certain trees in front yards near Right of Way- when No Parkstrip)
-
Locally Native Protected Species Trees ( Oaks, Redwoods, Big Leaf Maples, & Cedars)- Measuring more than 11.5 inches in diameter at breast height
-
Protected Mature Trees (Certain trees bigger than 15 inches in diameter measured at breast height)
-
Designated Trees (Trees designated by the planning department or urban forestry department to be planted or retained)
-
Heritage Trees (Trees that have been assigned historical value by the City Council)
How much can I trim off my tree?
To maintain a healthy tree, the City of Palo Alto recommends not trimming more than 25 percent of a tree in one year. Limiting the amount trimmed can help keep the tree healthy and balanced.
No tree pruning permit is required in the City of Palo Alto.
Can I trim my neighbor's tree if it hangs into my yard in Palo Alto?
You are allowed to trim branches overhanging onto your property as long and you do not cause damage to the tree. The owner of the tree is not regularly responsible for trimming branches on your side of the property. If you believe the tree is a hazard or are unsure of what constitutes damage to the tree, give our experts a call!
If a tree is between two properties who owns the tree?
According to Palo Alto's Tree Technical Manual, if a tree sits on the property line between two different parcels, both property owners are co-owners.
Why do some homes have chain link fences around trees?
Trees that are identified as "protected" in the city of Palo Alto, must be protected during construction activity near its critical root zone. Temporary chain-link fences are erected around the tree to prevent damage to the root zone and the tree trunk. If you are building or remodeling near a protected tree in Palo Alto you most likely will need an Arborist Report. New Vista Tree Service can help you navigate the complete process.
About Us
A local, family owned business. New Vista Inc is proud to offer excellent and satisfactory tree removal and management. Operating under the International Society of Arboriculture guidelines (ISA) we offer all types of tree management. Our services range from pruning to removal in both residential and commercial properties. All of our tree work meets ANSI 300 standards.
We are fully licensed by CSLB, carry General Liability & Workers Compensation Insurance for both our employees and your protection.
Safety is our top priority when working on your property. New Vista Inc only uses professional equipment that meet ANSI (American National Standards Association) Z133.
Other services we offer in Palo Alto:
-
Palo Alto Tree Planting
-
Palo Alto Tree Cabling
-
Palo Alto Tree Fertilization
-
Palo Alto Hedge Trimming
-
Palo Alto Stump Grinding