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TRUSTED BY SANTA MARIA, CA HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.5
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon379
    Verified arboricultural services reviews

Top-Rated Arborists in Santa Maria - Updated Nov 2026

Avatar for Central Coast Tree Specialist
Central Coast Tree Specialist
4.9(
16
)
Tree TrimmingTree RemovalTree Stump - Remove+3 more

Serving Santa Maria, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Allan is super easy to work with. He did such an excellent job. It was impeccable work cleans the place did everything he said he would do. I feel confident hiring him and his crew for any job I need done. I highly recommend them"
Response time4 hrs
Response rate98%
17 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for George's Tree Service, Inc.
George's Tree Service, Inc.
4.7(
21
)
Tree TrimmingTree Removal

Serving Santa Maria, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"George and his crew showed up a bit early and got right to work. We had previously gone over the trees we needed removed and they did exactly what we agreed to. The work was A+. Minerva, Georgeâ s wife, handles the business end. She is very nice and extremely accommodating. They were a bit higher with their estimate than other firms we had out to view the job, but they had the most thorough walkthrough with us and pointed out issues that no other firm mentioned like calling PG&E out to show where the gas line passed 2 of the trees we wanted cut down. I cannot recommend Georgeâ s Tree Service highly enough"
Tree Trimming Project
Tree Trimming Project
Tree Trimming Project
Tree Trim Project
Before and After Tree Trim Project

+2

Response time12 hrs
4 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by82%of homeowners
Avatar for Shofar Landscape Contracting
Shofar Landscape Contracting
5.0(
13
)
Tree RemovalTree Removal - For BusinessTree Stump - Remove+3 more

Serving Santa Maria, 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%
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Champ's Handy Worx License Not Yet Provided
Champ's Handy Worx License Not Yet Provided
4.9(
16
)
Tree TrimmingTree RemovalTree Removal - For Business+1 more

Serving Santa Maria, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Jimmie offered creative ways in solving problems to complete the job. Job site was cleaned up after each work day. Very professional easy to work with. Would recommend this company to family and friends."
Kitchen Remodel
Custom Kitchen Remodel
custom tile tub/shower
Custom Kitchen Remodel
Pic of old kitchen.

+5

Response time1 day
2 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by81%of homeowners
Josue Handy Dandy License Not Yet Provided
5.0(
2
)
Tree RemovalTree Removal - For BusinessTree Trimming+1 more

Serving Santa Maria, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Josue really helped me with a big project. He worked for days installing a vinyl floor in my rental. He did quality work, worked long hours & helped to complete the project in a timely manner. He was also very respectful to work with. Iâ d hire him again in a heart beat."
Response time2 hrs
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Lopez Landscaping
Lopez Landscaping
5.0(
15
)
Tree RemovalTree Removal - For BusinessTree Stump - Remove+5 more

Serving Santa Maria, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"José is a true professional. We are so glad we found him! The project came out beautifully and we even hired him to do longterm servicing of our property. His pricing is transparent, he and his crew work really hard, and he has deep knowledge of plants, flowers, and trees - in addition to turf! Highly recommend."
Additional Photos
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Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+32

Recommended by100%of homeowners
Showing 1-10 of 36
Arborists FAQs, answered by experts

Generally speaking, you’ll want to avoid flush cuts, which are cuts made as extremely close to the trunk or main branch. These cuts can weaken your tree, lower its natural defense mechanisms, and even cause decay. You’ll also want to avoid tree topping, which is the total removal of the leader and upper main branches of a tree. 

Most pros will advise against either of these methods, which is why hiring a pro is often the best choice when it comes to tree trimming.

The depth of tree roots depends on the species. Trees like oaks and maples can have root systems that grow down 20 feet or more. However, trees that grow in shallow soils will have roots that go only a few feet down. Research how your tree species grows in your climate area to estimate root depth.

You should avoid cutting off the top of mature cherry trees. This process is called tree topping, and it’s not recommended for cherry trees—or any trees, for that matter. Tree topping removes between one-third to half of the length of the tree trunk, resulting in structurally unsound, fruitless suckers. The only exception is for saplings. Young pie, sour, and tart cherry trees that are over 30 inches tall in the fall or winter before the tree blooms can benefit from heading cuts.

You may wonder whether tree removal is tax deductible: Tree removal is not tax-deductible for homeowners unless it's related to a federally declared disaster. In that case, the cost may qualify as a casualty loss. However, if you own a commercial property, like a rental home, tree removal could be deductible if it's necessary for safety, maintenance, or part of a larger capital improvement project, and you must hire a professional tree removal service and keep documentation. Always consult a tax professional beforehand to see if you qualify.

It takes anywhere from three to seven years for a stump to decompose on its own. This timeframe can depend on the kind of tree and your climate. The lower to the ground the stump is, the faster it rots. If you kill a tree stump with salt, boiling water, herbicide, light deprivation, or burning, the tree stump decomposes faster. 

The Santa Maria, CA homeowners’ guide to arboricultural services

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