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  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.8
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon295
    Verified arboricultural services reviews

Find Arborists in Santa Barbara

Aldo's Tree Service, LLC
4.7(
60
)

Serving Santa Barbara, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1995

Free estimates

Customers say: Quick response

"Manuel is so focused on what the client wants and has an expert eye for aesthetic tree trimming. I had four unruly, giant Juniper trees that had never been trimmed, and now they are beautiful. The crew came right on time and cleaned up the yard well before they left. Fairly priced, responsible and professional!"
Response time1 day
13 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by96%of homeowners
Avatar for Grays Landscaping LLC
Grays Landscaping LLC
4.7(
80
)

Serving Santa Barbara, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2023

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"They are great!!! I plan to hire them again. I would like to change flowers and weeds into grass. I plan on hiring Grays Lanscaping LLC to do the job."
Snow removal
Ivy removal
Landscaping Project
Ivy removal
Yard cleanup

+52

Response time3 days
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by57%of homeowners
Avatar for Shofar Landscape Contracting
Shofar Landscape Contracting
5.0(
13
)

Serving Santa Barbara, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Shofar was wonderful to work with; they repaired our patio slab. Removed /tore up damaged concrete, tore out the tree roots which had caused the problem. and then laid a new slab. They were so professional, timely, efficient, and communicative! I highly recommend this company!!!!"
Response time1 day
Response rate87%
11 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Nature's Tree Service
Nature's Tree Service
4.9(
8
)

Serving Santa Barbara, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"It went good, it took about 2 hrs and 45 min. The only thing is they were an hour late. Overall they did a great job. I would recommend Nature’s Tree Service but suggest they be on time to job."
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+27

Response time1 day
Response rate100%
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Arborists questions, answered by experts

You can trim just one side of the tree, especially when that side is growing near something like a power line or a home. Pros will carefully trim the tree back until it is safe from that structure. While this is common, it also needs to be done with the utmost care, as pruning or trimming away at one side of the tree may make it structurally unsound. This instance is yet another where hiring a pro is wise, especially if power lines are involved.

You can start your search for a reputable arborist online by looking for professionals who hold the proper licensing and are fully insured. Next, read through some online reviews to see what kind of service the expert brings to the table, and confirm that they don’t have a history of complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Finally, you can ask the professional for a list of references and then call them to ask questions about the service, professionalism, value, and more that the expert brings to the table.

It can be bad to leave a dead stump in the ground. A stump becomes a hefty piece of dead wood in time and eventually (especially with the help of rain) starts to rot. That makes it a locus point for diseases and pesky insects, as well as a bit of an eyesore. It’s best to remove a tree stump completely before it starts to decay, especially before it starts to fall apart. If the tree was removed because of disease, it’s even more important to fully remove the stump if possible.

Trees naturally want to grow upward, so one may straighten all by itself, though this only comes into play when a tree is leaning just a small amount. For trees growing into an awkward position or those leaning heavily in one direction, the above steps are necessary to ensure the tree gets back on the right path. This also holds true for trees planted in a spot with unstable soil.

In most cases, you should not use a pruning seal on trees after trimming. Applying a sealant can interfere with the tree's natural healing process, and it does not guarantee protection from pathogens. Instead of sealing the cut, the best practice is to support the tree's natural recovery by providing it with plenty of water and a dormant-style fertilizer. However, there are exceptions. Pruning seals may be recommended for very vulnerable species, like elm trees, in areas where dangerous diseases such as Dutch elm disease are prevalent. In these specific situations, the protection offered by a sealant can outweigh its downsides. For advice tailored to your situation, especially after cutting large branches, it is best to consult a local tree trimming professional.

The Santa Barbara, CA homeowners’ guide to arboricultural services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.