Sonoma-Marin Tree Service connects property owners with CSLB-licensed local tree service contractors who take down dead and hazardous trees, from a single dead oak by the driveway to a stand of fire-killed pines. Dead trees are often treated differently under local tree rules, but not always, and documentation is what protects you.
Why dead trees need attention sooner, not later
A freshly dead tree is still fairly strong. As the wood dries and decay fungi move in, limbs and the trunk lose strength, and climbing it becomes risky for the crew. That is why dead trees left standing for years often end up needing a bucket truck or crane, which raises the price. Signs a tree is dead or failing:
- No new leaves in spring, or leaves that browned all at once and stayed on
- Bark sloughing off, or woodpecker damage and boring holes along the trunk
- Mushrooms, conks, or oozing at the base
- Large dead limbs in the crown, or limbs already falling
- Cracks, cavities, or a lean that is getting worse
Sudden Oak Death and fire-killed trees
Sudden Oak Death has killed many tanoaks and coast live oaks in the region, and UC Cooperative Extension reports it spreading in west Marin and northern Sonoma County. UCCE advises removing dead oaks and tanoaks when they pose a fire or fall risk. See oak tree removal for more. In fire-affected areas, Santa Rosa's wildland-urban interface ordinance (Chapter 9-32) includes removal of fire-damaged dead trees on covered parcels, according to a secondary summary of the code; confirm the details with the city.
Hazard exemptions and emergency permits
Many ordinances make room for dead and dangerous trees, but each one does it differently:
- Unincorporated Sonoma County (Guerneville, Penngrove, Glen Ellen, Kenwood, and other areas outside city limits): Permit Sonoma lists removal of hazardous, dead, dying, or diseased trees inside the defensible-space zone of a structure as exempt from the tree protection ordinance. Permit Sonoma recommends keeping receipts and photographs, because they may be requested in a code enforcement investigation.
- Mill Valley: when a heritage tree poses an immediate threat to people or property, the city's Director of Building and Planning may issue an emergency removal permit that skips the normal hearing process. The emergency approval comes with a short deadline to remove the tree.
- Petaluma: the zoning ordinance allows a protected tree to be removed without city review or permit in an emergency, where the city determines it poses an imminent threat to public safety or threatens people or private property. Heritage and landmark trees are also covered by a separate permit chapter, so call the city if you are unsure which applies.
An emergency provision is for a real emergency, not a tree that has been dead for three years. When the call is close, an arborist's risk assessment documents why the tree had to come down. No one can promise how a city will treat a particular removal.
Document everything
- Dated photos of the whole tree, the base, the trunk, and the dead crown
- Photos showing what the tree threatens: the roof, driveway, road, or neighbor's house
- Any arborist letter or assessment
- The contractor's invoice and license number
- Any city or county emails approving or acknowledging the removal
Neighbors and liability
A dead tree near a property line worries both sides. Ownership generally follows where the trunk stands. If the tree is yours, dealing with it before it fails is cheaper than dealing with what it hits. If it is your neighbor's, raise it in writing and share photos. Insurance and liability turn on the facts and the policy, so for a dispute, talk to your insurer or a real estate attorney.
Who should do the work
In California, tree removal is licensed by the Contractors State License Board, and new licenses are issued in the C-49 Tree and Palm classification. Before you hire anyone, look the contractor up at cslb.ca.gov and ask for a certificate of liability insurance. Look up any license at cslb.ca.gov.
Dead or dying tree near the house? Call (707) 634-8593 or request an estimate and we'll connect you with a local tree service contractor.
Tree services in Sonoma County & Marin County
- Tree Removal → Removal of dead, leaning, diseased, and unwanted trees, including large oaks, redwoods, and eucalyptus on tight or sloped lots.
- Storm-Damaged & Fallen Tree Removal → Fallen trees, split trunks, hanging limbs, and trees on roofs, fences, or driveways after North Bay winter storms.
- Tree Trimming & Pruning → Crown thinning, deadwood removal, structural pruning, and clearance pruning for oaks, redwoods, and ornamentals.
- Stump Grinding & Removal → Grinding stumps and surface roots below grade so you can replant, lay lawn, or build, plus full stump removal where needed.
- Arborist Reports & Tree Permits → Arborist reports for city and county tree removal permits, protected and heritage trees, and construction near trees.
- Defensible Space & Fire Clearance → Limbing up, juniper and brush removal, dead tree removal, and chipping for Marin evaluations and Sonoma inspections.
- Oak Tree Removal & Sudden Oak Death → Dead and dying coast live oaks, tanoaks, and valley oaks, including Sudden Oak Death losses and protected-oak permits.
- Eucalyptus Tree Removal → Taking down tall, brittle blue gum eucalyptus near homes, roads, and fire zones, and dealing with regrowth.
- Redwood Tree Removal & Trimming → Redwoods crowding foundations, driveways, and sewer lines, thinning redwood groves, and removals where a permit allows.
- Crane Tree Removal → Crane-assisted removals for big trees over houses, on steep hillside lots, and anywhere there is no room to drop or rig.
- Dead & Hazardous Tree Removal → Dead, dying, cracked, and leaning trees that threaten the house, the street, or the neighbors, with the paperwork hazard removals need.
- Roof Clearance & Limb Removal → Lifting limbs off roofs, gutters, chimneys, and decks for fire clearance, insurance letters, and plain peace of mind.
- Tree Risk Assessment → A qualified look at a leaning, cracked, or hollow tree before a storm decides for you, with a written recommendation.
- Lot Clearing & Brush Chipping → Clearing overgrown lots, thinning small trees and brush, and chipping or hauling the debris for building, fire safety, or sale.
- Fruit Tree & Olive Pruning → Dormant and summer pruning for backyard orchards, old olives, and heritage fruit trees on wine country properties.
- Palm Tree Trimming & Removal → Skinning and trimming tall palms, removing dead fronds and seed pods, and taking out palms that have outgrown the lot.
- Tree Cabling & Bracing → Support systems for split trunks and heavy limbs on trees worth keeping, installed and inspected to industry standards.
- Insurance-Required Tree Removal → Clearing trees and limbs an insurer has flagged before a policy renewal or non-renewal deadline, with documentation.
- View Pruning → Opening up bay, hill, and valley views with selective thinning and reduction that keeps the tree healthy and the neighbors on side.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to remove a dead tree?
It depends on where you are. Unincorporated Sonoma County exempts removal of hazardous, dead, dying, or diseased trees inside the defensible-space zone of a structure. Mill Valley can issue an emergency permit for a heritage tree that poses an immediate threat, and the Petaluma zoning ordinance allows a protected tree to be removed without city review in an emergency the city recognizes. Outside those situations, a dead tree may still fall under a local ordinance, so check with your planning department and keep photos.
How do I prove a tree was dead or dangerous?
Take dated photos of the whole tree, the canopy, the trunk, and any cracks, decay, or fungus before work starts. Keep the contractor invoice. Permit Sonoma recommends keeping receipts and photographs for exempt removals in case of a later code enforcement question. For a borderline tree, a written assessment from a qualified arborist is the strongest record.
My neighbor has a dead tree leaning toward my house. What can I do?
Start with a friendly conversation and photos, then put the concern in writing and keep a copy. A tree risk assessment can give both of you a neutral opinion. For anything that turns into a dispute, talk to a real estate attorney. Do not cut trees on a neighbor's property without permission.
How much does dead tree removal cost?
It varies widely with size, location, and how far the decay has gone. Dead trees can cost more than live ones of the same size when the wood is too brittle to climb safely and the crew needs a bucket truck or crane. National cost guides put a typical removal in the high hundreds of dollars to around $1,000, but large trees near homes here often cost more. Get a written quote.
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