Tree Service in Tarzana, California

Yes. Tarzana is a neighborhood within the City of Los Angeles, so the Los Angeles Protected Tree Ordinance (LAMC § 46.00) fully applies. The ordinance protects four native species on private property when their trunks measure 8 inches or more in diameter at 54 inches above grade: coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), California black walnut (Juglans californica), Western sycamore (Platanus racemosa), and California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica). Removal, substantial pruning (removing more than one-third of the crown), or root cutting within the protected zone of these trees requires a permit from LA City's Urban Forestry Division — reachable at (800) 996-2489. Unpermitted removal of a protected tree can result in a fine of up to $35,000 and mandatory replacement. Additionally, any work on parkway trees (between the sidewalk and street curb) requires a separate street tree permit regardless of species. We handle permit coordination for all qualifying work in Tarzana.

For non-protected, non-native trees entirely on your private property — such as a eucalyptus, pepper tree, pine, or ornamental fig — no permit is required for trimming or removal in the City of Los Angeles. You do not need a permit to prune or remove a non-protected tree on your own lot. However, if the tree is a protected species (oak, sycamore, black walnut, or bay laurel meeting the size threshold), any removal or pruning that removes more than one-third of the crown requires LA City approval. Street trees are an entirely separate category — they are city property regardless of species, and any work on them requires prior approval from the Bureau of Street Services. As a practical tip: even for non-permit work, hiring a licensed contractor like Natural Wonders Trees protects you from liability if anything goes wrong — and our insurance covers any incidental property damage during the job.

Seven red flags that warrant a call to an ISA Certified Arborist: (1) A sudden or progressive lean that wasn't there before — especially after a rain event when soil is saturated and root plates can shift. (2) Large dead branches (greater than 2 inches in diameter) in the upper crown, particularly over structures or frequently-used areas. (3) Deep longitudinal cracks or splits running along the trunk or major scaffold branches. (4) Fungal conks, mushrooms, or shelf fungi growing at or near the base of the trunk — these indicate internal decay that is often far more extensive than the visible growth. (5) V-shaped co-dominant stems with included bark at the union — a structural defect common in fast-growing trees and a leading cause of catastrophic branch failure in Southern California wind events. (6) Excavation, trenching, or grade change within the root zone in the past 2–3 years, which can compromise root integrity invisibly. (7) Significant bark loss, oozing sap, or discolored wood visible through cracks. If you've noticed any of these on a Tarzana property, contact us for a free safety evaluation before the next wind event.

Pool-adjacent tree work is one of our most common Tarzana requests — and one that requires careful pre-job planning. Before any chainsaw starts, we walk the property and identify pool equipment location, equipment room access panels, underground plumbing lines (often PVC, which can be damaged by surface roots or falling debris), and any overhead lines running near the work zone. For work directly above a pool, we use one of three approaches depending on the situation: (1) Rigging every piece with lowering lines and a friction device so no wood falls freely; (2) Using a crane-assisted removal for large sections; or (3) In some cases, draining or covering the pool with plywood decking before work begins. We tarp pool openings and equipment covers as standard practice on any job within 15 feet of a pool. All pool covers, filters, and skimmer baskets are cleared of debris before we leave. Equipment and plumbing damage from our work is covered under our general liability policy — a policy many Tarzana competitors either don't carry or carry at insufficient limits.