Tree Trimming in Carmichael

We cover Carmichael. Call (279) 256-3385, describe the tree, and we'll send a pro out and book the day.

Most calls from here are about big, grown-up trees. That's what the pro will be looking at.

A colony that grew up

Carmichael is an unincorporated suburb of Sacramento. The 2020 census counted 79,793 people on 15.57 square miles.

Wikipedia traces the name to Daniel W. Carmichael, who came to California in 1885. In 1909 he developed Carmichael Colony No. 1 on 2,000 acres. He later bought another 1,000 acres.

The town also has an odd landmark. Casa de los Gobernadores was built in 1974 as the governor's home. No governor ever lived there, and private owners bought it in 1983.

Big trees, big limbs

A town that began in 1909 has some tall trees. That brings two worries.

Long, heavy limbs over roofs and driveways.
Dead wood high in the crown that's hard to see from the ground.

A big, flat limb above a roof, path or driveway is one UC wants removed. It also notes that limbs can drop in summer on hot, calm days. Limbs that break are often horizontal, which is why you see them over lawns on still afternoons.

For dead wood, the Folsom standards say to take out dead, sick and broken branches at any time of year. The ISA agrees that weak, sick or dead limbs can usually come off in any season without hurting the tree much.

How do you spot a problem from the ground? Look for these signs.

Bare branches in a leafy tree in summer.
Bark that has peeled or split on a limb.
Mushrooms or shelves at the base of a limb or the trunk. UC says decay fungi form these fruiting bodies.
A crack where two trunks meet.

Wound care that works

Most wood rot starts at a wound, UC says, either a broken limb or a bad pruning cut. So a clean cut just outside the branch collar matters. And skip the paint, since UC says dressings don't speed healing or stop decay.

What it costs in Carmichael

Big limbs cost money. Homeyou lists large limb removal at $168 to $486. Taking out dead wood runs $176 to $428, and the price goes up when the dead wood is high or near the house.

For a whole tree, the Sacramento-area range is $437 to $649 for a medium one. A big tree costs more.

Keep the chips

When a pro trims a tree, the branches have to go somewhere. Ask whether the price includes hauling. Or ask to keep the chips.

Thumbtack says it's $50 to $100 extra to have the tree trimmer bring a chipper and make your mulch. Mulch is worth it. The Sacramento Tree Foundation says wood chips protect roots from extreme temperatures and keep moisture in the soil.

Spread them on bare soil under the tree, not piled against the trunk. Pull the grass first. A Carmichael lot with a big old tree can use a lot of mulch, so plan the pile ahead of time.

Carmichael questions

Do you serve Carmichael?

Yes. Call (279) 256-3385 with your street.

How do I know if a limb is dangerous?

A pro can tell you. Big horizontal limbs over a roof, and limbs with cracks or fungus, are the first ones to ask about.

Can dead limbs wait until winter?

They don't have to. Dead limbs can come off any month.

Next door

Neighbors we cover: Fair Oaks, Citrus Heights and Rancho Cordova. Big oak? Read the oak page. Otherwise try the Folsom page or the town list.