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8 Best Tree Services in San Jose – Arborists Bay Area

Author: Ben McInerney
Certified Arborist

Last updated: 2 October 2021

The Master Arborist Awards and below list is about promoting the Top Rated Tree Service in Tampa, Florida and taking the guesswork out of hiring.

We want you the customer to easily find the 10 local tree services most likely to give a great service at reasonable prices.

There are a few ways we could have compiled this list.

Instead of taking the traditional route of getting residents to vote (which is usually just friends of the business owner voting), we decided to use all online customer reviews and use those along with other metrics to calculate the 2020 winner.

We took into consideration:

Years of experience, number of reviews and average score.

Taking a mathematical approach (see the formula used below results) we gave each local tree service a score.

Other minimum criteria to qualify include:

20 reviews
5 years in business
2 sources of customer reviews.

(E.g. Google review and Yelp, but most have 3 – 4 sources.)

Below we go into more detail about the selection process, the formula used and the reasoning behind it to find this year’s winners.

And the winners are…

Company

Details

Avg. Rating

GTQ score

Place

Visit Site

calander small grey Est. 2000

20 years in business

location small grey Serve Tampa, FL

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Reviews: 555

4.58

508

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calander small grey Est. 2001

19 years in business

location small grey Serve Tampa, FL

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Reviews: 446

4.40

373

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calander small grey Est. 1983

37 years in business

location small grey Serve Tampa, FL

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Reviews: 148

4.47

245

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calander small grey Est. 1995

25 years in business

location small grey Serve Tampa, FL

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Reviews: 146

5.00

183

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calander small grey Est. 1999

21 years in business

location small grey Serve Tampa, FL

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Reviews: 126

4.97

131

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calander small grey Est. 2002

8 years in business

location small grey Serve Tampa, FL

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Reviews: 297

4.95

118

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calander small grey Est. 2008

12 years in business

location small grey Serve Tampa, FL

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Reviews: 207

4.67

116

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calander small grey Est. 1961

59 years in business

location small grey Serve Tampa, FL

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Reviews: 40

4.75

112

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calander small grey Est. 2000

20 years in business

location small grey Serve Tampa, FL

Visit Website

Reviews: 78

4.75

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calander small grey Est. 1999

21 years in business

location small grey Serve Tampa, FL

Visit Website

Reviews: 62

5.00

Who qualified to make the list?

To qualify to make the list, you needed to have a minimum of 20 reviews total across a minimum of 2 different platforms. This can be Google, Facebook, Yelp, Yellow Pages, Angie’sList, Home advisor or any other 3rd party review platform. Curated reviews taken on personal websites were not counted.

The company needed to be in business for a minimum of 5 years.

We feel that years in operation is a big factor as it speaks volumes about the competence of the business as a whole. A lot of the business on the list have been in business for 10 years or more.

GTQ rating formula

The GoTreeQuotes rating is a mathematical formula which takes into account the number for year in business, the number of reviews, as well as the average score.

We believe the provenance of a company and the number of reviews, is just as important as the average score. Just as long as that average score does not dip too much below the 4.0 mark.

The formula used:

Years in business X number of reviews / 1000 X Average score = GTQ rating

Example:

17 x 247/ 1000 x 4.95 = 208

Taking into account all three performance indicators of a business gives us a pretty accurate look at the overall satisfaction of customers while the tree service has been operating.

We found this to be the fairest and most precise way to do things.

Below are some more details on the companies in order as they appear on the list above.

How much does tree removal cost in San Jose Bay area?

The cost of tree removal in San Jose will depend on a number of factors.

The average cost to cut down a tree in the Bay area is $927. The real range being $375 right up to $4,590 for larger trees.

Some of the biggest things that impact prices are:

Tree size
Species
Location on property
Access to tree
Obstacles around the tree (power lines)
Time of year
Tree services used

The main factor is going to be the size of the tree and the time taken to remove it. Some trees are easier than others to remove due to them having only a few branches and great access.

If a tree is in the rear of a property with only a small side gate access, it will take more time and man-hours to get the tree on the ground and dragged out the front for mulching. This will cost you more money.

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in San Jose?

San Jose has a Tree Preservation ordinance that allows some trees to be removed without a permit, while others will need permission from the city.

Heritage trees or street trees cannot be touched. Heritage trees are on both public and private land, so please see the Heritage tree list here to see if your tree is listed. There are about 100 of them in San Jose.

Trees you can remove

Referred to as “Ordinance-sized trees” these are trees that if smaller than the below specifications, can be removed without a permit. Any tree alive or dead that is greater in size than the below will need a permit.

Single trunk – 38 inches circumference or less when measured at 4.5 feet above ground level.

Multi-trunk – The combined measurement of each trunk circumference at 4.5 feet above ground is no greater than 38 inches.

A tree with a 38-inch trunk circumference is a fairly large tree, so in most cases, you will be able to remove a tree without a permit. These laws are quite lenient when compared to other cities.

Tree Preservation Ordinance

Here is a link to the Tree Preservation Ordinance for San Jose. If you have any questions or concerns you can always reach out to the city arborist directly at (408) 794-1901.

What’s the approval process?

If you have a tree that is larger than the above specifications, you will need to submit an application for removal.

If the tree is not dead or a hazard, you will a good reason for removal. Most of the time the tree will not be in a suitable location such as within 5 feet of your residence or other structures. In these cases, approval should not be a problem.

If the tree is of Ordinance size and is healthy and well situated, you have a very slim chance of getting approval for removal.

Process

Fill in the application form with the following:

Submit the application form with a tree description and site plan.
Photo or each tree.
Pay the non-refundable fee required.

What are the tree removal permit fees?

Please be seated for the price of a permit. They state that you need to pay a fee upon application, but do not specify if the fees are the same as the permit fees or if you only pay the below if the application is granted.

For unsuitable or dead tree removal permits

$244 for one tree plus $33 for each additional tree

For live tree removal permits

$2,273 – Single-family or duplex properties

$2,599 – All other types of properties

San Jose tree planting initiative

The city of San Jose has committed to increasing the urban forest canopy cover. Through an initiative signed in 2005 and 2007 called the Urban Environment Accord. This aims to plant out 50% of the cities vacant street tree sites.

The goal is to plant 100,000 trees by 2022.

Here is an interactive map of the benefits of this initiative.

Tree trimming cost in the Bay areas

The cost to trim a tree in the Bay area will depend on the size of the tree and the amount of work being performed.

You can appreciate that palm trimming is a lot less than removing branches from an Oak tree.

The average cost of tree trimming in San Jose is $425, but the real range is $90 up to $1,900.

The biggest factors that add to price other than the tree size and number of branches are access and obstacles.

If the tree service can get a clear run at the tree with access to machines, then the job will be a lot faster and easier. This means cheaper prices for you.

If your tree is in a backyard, I suggest doing your best to give as clear access as possible. This might include removing parts of your fence to give better access.

Trimming neighbours tree in San Jose

If a neighbor’s trees are encroaching on your property you are within your rights to trim the tree. The city recommends you use a certified arborist for trimming work and they adhere to the National Arboriculture Association standards for pruning.

If you have a dispute with your neighbour about trimming, you will need to contact the city customer service first on (408) 535-3500.

Can I trim a street tree in the Bay Area?

It is illegal to trim a street tree in San Jose or the Bay area without first obtaining a permit.

In most cases, you can just report an issue with a tree and the city will come out to trim the tree free of charge. There are minimum clearances that trees should have to allow foot traffic and access to properties. This is normally 8 feet. If your tree needs some branches removed, alert your city arborist at (408) 794-190, who will come out and inspect then give the go-ahead for trimming.

Other resources: See the Tree Policy manual here for more details.

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New Sky Tree Service

4.58

(555)

New Sky tree service is a company with numerous positive reviews due to its good tree services across the San Jose area. The company provides services in many areas. With years of experience, they have been able to build a good team of workers, arborists and necessary equipment for any trees works.... Read more >

Serve Tampa, FL

20 years in business

Bay Area Tree Specialists

4.40

(446)

It is a tree service company serving San Jose CA, South Bay, Palo Alto CA and SF Peninsula. Bay area specialists is a company that believes in the need for healthy thriving trees for better financial and environmental gain. It happens to be a member of the International Society of Arboriculture. ... Read more >

Serve Tampa, FL

19 years in business

Bay Area Tree Care

4.47

(148)

Being a licensed tree service company that has been operating for more than 30 years, Bay Area Tree Care record is amazing. They categorize their services into 4. Tree removal services, tree care, storm damage and firewood. As a result, you can get fertilization, pruning, spraying and bracing/cabling for tree care.... Read more >

Serve Tampa, FL

37 years in business

Oscar's Expert Tree Service

5.00

(146)

Oscar’s Expert tree service is a company with a lot of experience and offers quality services. They are licensed and have insurance to avoid liabilities. The company takes safety seriously by using high-quality equipment. They provide services for residential, municipal and commercial clients. ... Read more >

Serve Tampa, FL

25 years in business

Curry Brothers Tree Care

4.97

(126)

It is a tree service company operating in San Jose, CA. The company believes in protecting and maintaining the health of trees hence provide valuable existence for the landscape. With more than 20 years, they have created a good reputation as a result of their affordable and high-quality services.... Read more >

Serve Tampa, FL

21 years in business

We Care Tree Care

4.95

(297)

We care tree care is a tree service company that focuses on offering the best services for any type of tree. They are passionate about their work for the last 8 years they have been in operation. If you are looking for a company with skilled workers and the best equipment for the job then you should choose them. ... Read more >

Serve Tampa, FL

8 years in business

PV Tree Service, Inc.

4.67

(207)

PV Tree Service, Inc. has been operating in San Jose for more than 10 years. They have received many reviews and good ratings which can be attributed to their good services. The company serves both residential and commercial customers. With the company having a large trained workforce, they are able to provide quick and quality work. ... Read more >

Serve Tampa, FL

12 years in business

Stump King Removal Specialist

4.75

(40)

Stump King is a company offering a variety of tree services in the San Jose area. It is a company that has been in operation for more than 50 years hence giving them a lot of experience in the industry. ... Read more >

Serve Tampa, FL

59 years in business

Summit Tree Service

4.75

(78)

It is one of those companies that will provide you with a 24hour emergency response channel. For the 20 years, they have been in operation, Summit Tree Service has positioned itself as that company that handles and takes care of trees.... Read more >

Serve Tampa, FL

20 years in business

Acosta's Stump Grinding

5.00

(62)

Acosta’s Stump Grinding is a tree service company located in 1898 Sarasota Way, San Jose, CA 95122 United States. The company offers a variety of tree services across San Jose, CA. ... Read more >

Serve Tampa, FL

21 years in business

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Author: Ben McInerney - Ben is a qualified arborist with 15 plus years of industry experience in Arboriculture. He ran a successful tree service before turning to writing and publishing. Ben is dedicated to providing users with the most accurate up-to-date information on everything trees.