These are the questions we hear most from homeowners in Pomona, CA and the nearby cities. If your question is not here, call (909) 479-2666. For city-specific rules, see the city pages on our service areas page, and for longer answers, read the tree care guides.
Permits and ownership
Most questions about permits come down to who owns the tree. In Pomona, trees on the street or in a planting strip are City trees and need a written City permit for any trimming or removal. In nearby cities, oaks, walnuts and heritage trees can be protected even on private land. Read our guide to Pomona street trees and protected oaks and walnuts.
Pricing and timing
Every job is priced after we see the tree. Most work can be scheduled within a reasonable window, and storm damage is handled as quickly as we can manage. See what tree removal costs and our pruning calendar.
Common questions
Is the tree in front of my Pomona house mine or the City's?
If it grows between the sidewalk and the curb, or in a planting strip along the street, it is most likely a City street tree. Pomona requires a written City permit to remove, trim, prune or cut those. Public Works maintains City trees. Call (909) 620-3759 to ask about a specific tree.
Does my historic district change what I can do with trees?
It can. In Pomona's historic districts, removing street trees and some mature or specimen trees on historic sites is treated as a major project that needs a Certificate of Appropriateness. Routine pruning that follows City standards is generally handled differently. Check with the Planning Division before any removal.
What should I do about a tree touching a power line?
Stay away from it and call Southern California Edison at 1-800-611-1911. SCE clears trees within 10 feet of its overhead lines using qualified crews. Do not let anyone without line-clearance training climb or cut near the line. Once SCE has made it safe, we can work on the rest of the tree.
How do you price a tree job?
By the tree's size, the species, what sits underneath, how the crew reaches it and how much cleanup and haul-off you want. Stump grinding is a separate line. We visit, look at the job and give you a written estimate, so the price reflects the real work instead of a guess over the phone.
When is the best time to prune in Pomona?
Late fall through winter suits most shade trees. Flowering trees like jacaranda are best pruned after bloom, and palms are usually trimmed in late spring or summer. Bird nesting season runs about February through August, and active nests are protected, so we check before cutting during those months.
Do you top trees?
No. Topping cuts large limbs back to stubs, which causes weak, dense regrowth and decay, and makes the tree more dangerous over time. Crown reduction and thinning lower height and weight safely. If a tree is too big for its spot, we will talk honestly about removal and replanting.
Can you grind the stump the same day as a removal?
Often, yes, when access allows and the grinder is on the job. We need utility marking from 811 before grinding deep or where lines may run, so we plan that ahead. Stump grinding is listed separately on the estimate so you can decide whether you want it.
What do you do after a storm?
Call SCE first for any wire. Then call us for storm damage, and we will tell you how soon a crew can come. We make the site safe, lift limbs off roofs and cars, clear driveways and walks, then finish the cleanup. We can provide photos and an itemized invoice for insurance.
Do you work in cities other than Pomona?
Yes. We serve Claremont, La Verne, San Dimas, Diamond Bar, Walnut, Chino, Chino Hills, Montclair, Ontario, Upland, Glendora and Covina. Each city has different rules on street trees and protected trees, so our city pages explain what applies before you book work.