Tree maintenance

We got rid of all our Palo Verde because of the invasive root system. I can't fathom why you would need to trim or prune oak trees, they usually grow pretty tall. Consider consulting with an arborist on trees and shrubs that don't need constant pruning and trimming..

You need to consult a licensed Arborist. A tree chopping company isn't necessarily owned/operated by a trained professionals. They can best evaluate your tree situation and how best to keep them. You may not want to cut the trees down because of their shade and other benefits. Many people are tree huggers and they do contribute to the environment and selling points.

However, there are times where trees do need to be cut down or trimmed back. We had to do this. Pine Beetles infected the southern pines along the border of our HOA. One tree eventually rotted to the point of falling onto a home. Other trees like Bradford pears are beautiful but are not good trees to plant. They fall apart easily in storms. We had one 2 times higher than the house that was scaring people living in it.

So talk to a professional. Set up a budget plan. Take care of the most dangerous trees. Trim back what you can. It's going to be a marathon not a race.

The oaks would likely need canopy "thinning" every decade or so if they're over a street. They need a canopy lifting every 5 years or so if the trees start drooping over a street or road.

Pay for on a per-job basis as it's not the kind of maintenance that requires a monthly service (and don't let anyone convince you of a monthly service need).

While prices vary by state, in NC, we hired a competent, licensed/insured tree company for approximaely $200/tree to "lift our canopies" on 14-16 streetside trees in 2019. We "thinned" the tree canopy about 8 years ago to improve air circulation in the tree tops and remove weight since storm winds blow up against - and not easily through _ a "tight" tree canopy.

Mature trees are the ONE thing you can't swap out on a one-for-one basis so I value them on our community property.

Thanks, Tim. I'm working along a path similar to what you described. A potential new provider walked the property with me and his quote, without any obligation, provided a complete list of our inventory with the location of every single tree mapped by some sort of software that uses airborne imagery. That was a wow. In addition, he quoted a three year plan showing which trees would be cut in the specific cycles. So, that's a start. Will interview one more provider before deciding if I need to see a third or am good to go.

We have 4 budget line items under Landscaping:
Contract
Extras
Irrigation
Trees, @ $23k/yr. 22 Acre PUD.

Costs will vary greatly by State and the age of the trees.

We are currently paying $3-3.5k each for complete removal of terminal height pines. Several years ago, a Eucalyptus removal ran $6500.

We also had a property-wide tree evaluation done a few years ago.

Of course, as always, only deal with a licensed & insured contractor. They should have a ISA certified arborist available; either on staff or on a consulting basis.

Extensive trees are very nice and a big Realtor bullet point item, but that is offset by what they can do to your underground sewer system, and/or concrete work. In the West we also have a Pine Pitch Canker problem.