Please note: this page contains reviews and opinions sent in by Berkeley Parents Net subscribers. Your own experience may be different. Please always check references before hiring!

2011 - 2012 Reviews

Browning 30 ft Pine Tree...Diagnosis needed

A tree doctor recommendation is needed. When we moved into our home 8 years ago there was a 30 ft tall, lovely, Japanese style pine in the back yard. It was green and healthy. Gradually, over the past two years, more and more brown needles have appeared. First they were at the base of the tree, now they are all the way up to the tip, to the point where about 30 percent of the needles on the tree are completely brown. Since winter just ended, it seems wrong. The tree used to be very green in all seasons. The tree has always had a lot of ants, which seem to go up and down the trunk, but I figured this would not hurt a tree, and they have been doing ant business (they look busy) in the tree for the entire time we've lived here. The tree is also planted very close to our backyard fence, and I've wondered if the neighbor behind us has used some kind of chemical or pesticide that is hurting it. I would like to have someone come look at it and try to see if we can save it but we don't have much money and need to find someone affordable who will be able (hopefully) to figure out what is wrong. Are there any tree doctor recommendations out there? Or any other ideas on how to help an ill tree? Tree Friend

Fruit tree pruning help

I have several fruit trees in my backyard. I've tried few seasons to prune the trees, but I have a feeling in not doing it correctly. So I am looking for any recommendations of someone who can come and teach me how to prune the trees. Thanks

Tree Pruning, reasonably priced

My husband and I just moved into a house with trees and so now we have to deal with pruning the trees. There are a few fruit trees and then some non-fruit trees. Ideally we would hire someone this year and watch them do it so we can do it next year. We don't have a lot of money to spend on a tree pruner, but we also don't want to kill the trees or cause them to get diseases. So we would like recommendations for affordable tree pruners and advice on how we can learn to do it ourselves. Thanks!

Tree Pruning for One Small Tree

Hello, I need to find someone willing to prune a single smallish persimmon tree without charging me for a big job. The tree companies seem to have high minimums. The tree stayed a small (10ft.?), in-the-corner-by-the-fence tree for many years but my gardener 'forgot' to prune it the last two winters, and I'm realizing he just doesn't feel confident about it (he made one cut once and it didn't go well--now it has multiple spindly branches growing straight upwards and has lost its overall shape.) I thought I had some time to play with, but with the weather so warm, my tree is ready to put out buds! Hoping for a current referral. I am in the Piedmont Ave. area. Thank you. Want a Small Tree Again

Arborist knowledgable about fruit trees

Would love recommendations for arborists who have strong knowledge of fruit trees. We are very happy with our current service and have tried out several others over the years for non-fruit tree issues, but we need help from someone who can treat several old and possibly diseased fruit trees. No arborist we speak to seems to have a sound (or even any) specific history of working with fruit trees. Worse, none seems bothered by not (apparently) being interested in fruit trees! Fruit trees are different

Recommend tree trimmers

Can any one reccomend a good tree trimmer? jre7

Seeking arborist recommendations

I am looking for an arborist in the east bay for a couple of overgrown and/or possibly diseased trees. My gardener has informed me one tree may need removal but that he can't handle this kind of work and that I need an arborist, but he couldn't give me a name. We are in the Temescal area. Suzanne

Tree Removal - Coastal Tree Service

Has anyone used Coastal Tree Service for tree removal? I haven't been able to find any reviews online. anon

2009 - 2010 Reviews

Need two trees trimmed

Hi, Can anyone provide a recommendation for a tree person - we need two trees trimmed, and a couple of dead plants removed. Not a huge job, but we want someone who knows something about trees to do the trimming. Thanks very much! Tree trimmer needed

Hello All Looking for exemplary redwood tree trimmer ( redwoods are about 80 ft tall and need about 30 ft taken off - damaged in recent rains). Possible removal might be needed. Needs to be familiar with permiting - location is Kensington. Thank you in advance.

Looking for a tree specialist who is familiar with fig and persimmon trees who can take a look and give us a course of care. We have one of each in our North Berkeley back yard - both were full of fruit when we moved in last summer, but almost all the persimmons quickly fell off the tree except for a couple which survived and were quite tasty when ripe; the green figs seemed to do quite well, but when ripe, the fruit was actually pretty dry inside. Bill

Hello, Can you recommend a company, or individual, who can do some tree trimming, and also evaluate a large tree for its health / possible removal? Person/company should be honest, reliable, careful, and willing to remove all the ''trimmings''. Know anyone who can help us out? We're in Berkeley. Trees need some care

We have just moved into a place with a lot of old (25 years +) fruit trees, many of which we can't identify. Apparently a previous owner was an avid planter and grafter and there are all sorts of varieties of fruit trees and ''fruit salad'' trees in the yard that the person we bought from couldn't identify.

Can someone recommend a patient arborist who specializes in fruit trees and who could walk me and my husband through our yard and identify trees and explain how to prune and maintain them? It would be great to find someone who's willing and happy to talk through the process with us rather than just write up a report/yard map.

It would be a bonus if the arborist also were able to tell us which other new types of fruit trees would take well in our yard. (Apparently we're not content with the work we already have waiting for us!) Fruit tree puzzled

He'll train you in how to maintain things for yourself. He's a local businessman with a very friendly and caring attitude. His in the business b/c he likes trees and the outdoors. He won't soak you or try to get more work later, unless you need him.

He helped us in exactly this way with our very old/unmaintained grapefruit tree. Steve

2007 - 2008 Reviews

We have a dead tree and lots of others that need shaping, trimming and, in a couple of cases, possible removal. Can anyone recommend a fair-priced, reliable, bonded tree service for these kinds of jobs? Many thanks. Cheryl

Tree in front of house has big aphid infestation. Anybody know a good Tree Doctor? anon

We bought a house this past April with many fruit trees (apricot, pear, apple, plum, lemon) and we are looking for information on how to maintain the trees. We had been told it is best to prune them in the fall but are unsure as to how we should go about the pruning. We are also considering consulting an arborist, does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks!

We're looking for a good arborist and/or tree removal service. We're not sure if we want to have the tree removed or just cut back and are looking for a reputable service that's not too pricey. Any recommendations would be appreciated! Thanks.

looking for a good tree trimming service to cut back a tree that is leaning over my chimney. kasey

We need to remove 3 Giant Sequoias from our yard and are interested in recent recommendations for tree removal services. We also have a Redwood and various other trees that need a good trimming/reshaping. I've heard that the removal people are best at removal and the trimmers are best at trimming - so looking for recommendations in both categories. Thanks. Emily

I have 2 coral bark japanese maples in my front yard and I am looking for someone that is experienced in shaping/trimmimg/pruning this type of tree. Any referrals are appreciated... Thanks!

I am recommending Dave Bellar as a tree pruner. He is knowledgeable, pleasant to work with, and reasonably priced. My trees look GREAT! It's such a relief to find someone who actually knows what he's doing and does it when he says he will. You can reach him at 415-515-4753. ef

2005 - 2006 Reviews

Consulting arborist

Can anyone recommend a consulting arborist? I need to have my trees evaluated for safety and health, but I would like someone who can also give advice about how my trees fit into my garden. What care do they need, recommendations for possible replacement trees, view and privacy issues,etc. Thanks so much! Myra

I recently had a tree removed and feel so darn lucky I've found a great arborist/tree person -- Peter Rudy of Big Chief Tree Service. (510-528-3588) I've hired him exclusively since 1997. His crew is really great, professional, fast and conscientious. I can't recommend him highly enough. Rachel

Based on a previous review by a fellow Network member, we hired Gray Shaw to prun our plum trees and various other trees. He's been great and very reasonable. However, he seems to be very busy so call him well in advance of when you want the work done. His number is 848-6752. joe

2004 & Earlier

I just wanted to update the recommendation for Lara's Tree Service. I just used the service and after contacting Horatio as recommended here, got an exact quote and a quick response from his team. They trimmed two of our large trees and hauled away all of the debris. They were kind, respectful of our property and good at what they do. Adrianne

We live in the Oakland hills on a biggish lot with a lot of eucalyptus. We're looking to do a lot of work ourselves in reducing our fire burden and switching to native pants, but also recognize that we can't take some of the bigger trees out on our own. Since we know we'll have lots of work in the future, we decided to try out two companies.

The first is Roman's Tree service. We worked with Nelzon (510-781-9831 w. 408 -930-2719 c.). They gave us a very good rate on removing three large eucs, and cutting branches to firewood lengths, $1000 -- we did the hauling and clean up ourselves (since we've found that it's cheaper to get one company to do the cutting and another to do the hauling or to bundle and haul ourselves). Nelzon was professional and courteous, and returned all phone calls quickly. He seemed eager to obtain and keep our business which is better than I can say for some of the larger companies which are recommended through the parents list.

Eric from Maxwell Tree Service (510-339-3879) was also a pleasure to work with. He walked around our property and told us what work we could do ourselves, what work we could defer until later, and what work should be done in the near term. He also recommended a small number of tools he thought we might find useful (and he's proved to be correct). Eric took out a large locus tree that was leaning towards our neighbors house. We cleaned up outselves, which was easy since Eric had piled the debris exactly as we had asked him to. Eric is a Montclair resident himself, and really seems to care about the well being of the neighborhood in addition to running his business.

We recommend both Maxwell Tree Service and also Roman's Tree service for excellent rates and service. Merrilee

I have used Matt Horn Landscaping and Treecare on several jobs. He has done outstanding work, especially on difficult trimming or removing of trees. His aesthetics made my wife and I very happy and his ability to remove a large cedar over my redwood deck without a scratch was impressive. His bid was firm and he stuck to it. I really can't say enough about him except that he's a pleasure to work with as well. They arrive on time and clean everything up. Ask for Matt, 510-658-6088 tom

Horacio from Lara's Tree Service is awesome! These guys came out gave us a GREAT price! did better work than I had expected, cleaned up all the mess they made and then some! And did it in NO time at all! If you are looking for quality work, great prices and someone who knows trees call Horacio at 510/729-8040. They are the BEST!!! brandi

We used M & M Tree Service of Richmond. They're certified arborists and were the most reasonable of the 3 bids received. They were very efficient and we're happy with the work they did--a 30% crown reduction on a huge walnut in our backyard. They're in the yellow pages. lw

Just sharing a recommendation for Lara's Tree Service. They just did a lot of work for us - trimming, removing, hauling - and did an excellent job. They were very thorough, clean, and took the time necessary to do a good job. Ask for Horacio - 510-729-8040. Carolyn

The Forestree Company is an excellent longterm Berkeley resource. It is composed of graduates from the UC School of Forestry (on the Berkeley campus). The partners are certified arborists. Call 526-TREE (8733) Bruce

Try Forestree Company in Berkeley at 526-8733. The owners are UC Forestry grads (and old college friends of mine), and are reputed to be fair and skilled. I've never had any trees big or interesting enough to try them out! Helen