Tree Service in Manhattan Beach, CA
Did you know Manhattan Beach counts front-yard trees as part of its urban forest? It protects big ones and sets a season for parkway pruning, so when we trim or remove trees, our Manhattan Beach tree service follows those rules.
Tree care in Manhattan Beach
A beach city built on sand dunes
Manhattan Beach was built on sand dunes up to 60 feet high. Early residents planted ice plant to hold the sand, and one dune is still left in Sand Dune Park. The city's Tree Section is named for its streets — Palm, Oak, Elm — not for its trees. Today the city oversees more than 10,000 trees, and it counts front-yard trees as part of its urban forest. In April 2026, residents planted eight native western sycamores along Veterans Parkway, the city's first community planting.
In Manhattan Beach, the tree by your curb is yours to care for — but the city still sets the rules.
Who governs tree work in Manhattan Beach
City of Manhattan Beach
Tree work in Manhattan Beach follows the city's own tree rules. Residents pruning their own trees are exempt from obtaining a Tree Trimmers Permit but must still comply with the ANSI A300 standards (MBMC 10.52.120.J). Tree trimming permits may be obtained through the City’s CSS portal (apply for Tree Permit and select the “pruning” option under “Tree Determination Request”): Tree Trimming Permit Fee of $83 applies (other required additional fees apply). Tree Permits without Construction (for removal or relocation of protected trees without a building permit) Any person desiring to remove or relocate one (1) or more protected trees shall obtain a Tree Permit from the Community Development Department – Planning Division. Rules change. Confirm current requirements with the jurisdiction before work begins — filing a permit is the property owner's responsibility, not ours.
Services
Manhattan Beach pruning by the city's season, plus palms and removals
Supreme Tree Experts prunes, trims palms and removes trees in Manhattan Beach, where parkway pruning runs September to March. Curbside trees over 6 inches need a C-61/D-49 company, so Manhattan Beach owners book with Supreme Tree Experts.
Tree Removal
We remove trees in Manhattan Beach and flag any that need a city Tree Permit first. In Area Districts I and II, a front-yard or corner side-yard tree 12 inches across or more is protected. Each one removed must be replaced with a 36-inch box tree.
Tree Trimming & Pruning
Our crews prune parkway trees only from September 1 to March 31, as the city requires. Those over 6 inches across must be pruned by a C-61/D-49 company. We hold that license, #1002853, and book curb-strip work inside the window.
Stump Grinding & Stump Removal
We grind stumps deep into the sandy soil, whether by the curb or in the yard. Here the owner cares for the parkway tree and usually pays to remove it. A replacement must come from the city's approved list, so we grind room for it.
Palm Tree Trimming & Skinning
We trim and skin fan palms without extra red tape, since they fall outside the private tree rules here. Spent fronds and flower stalks come off first. From our lift, the crew then peels old frond boots down the trunk.
Emergency Tree Service
We take 24/7 calls for trees about to fall on a home in high wind. The city lets that work happen right away in an emergency. The owner then files the permit within five working days.
Tree Maintenance
Our yearly checks keep front-yard trees healthy and sound. The city counts those trees as part of its urban forest of more than 10,000 trees. Even owners who prune their own trees must follow the ANSI A300 pruning standards.
Tree Height Reduction
Our crews lower tall crowns near the ocean with reduction cuts that leave no stubs. Strong winds off the ocean can drop limbs on homes, cars and walks. A shorter, lighter crown catches less of that wind and puts less strain on roots in sand.
Estate Tree Care
Larger homes with mature trees and fruit trees get a care plan from us. Fruit trees are not covered by the city's Tree Permit rules. We prune them for health and harvest, and plan protected trees around the permit rules.
Tree Shaping & Shrub Shearing
Our crew shapes hedges on small beach lots so they do not crowd the walk. We shear on a steady cycle, keeping hedges narrow at the top so light reaches the base. Every clipping goes into bags and leaves with the crew.
Landscaping
We choose plants for sandy soil and ocean wind when we lay out a yard. In April 2026, residents planted eight native western sycamores along Veterans Parkway. Natives like these can suit a larger yard with room to spread.
Hardscape
We compact the base hard before any path or patio goes down. The city rose on dunes up to 60 feet high, where early residents planted ice plant to hold the sand. Loose sand still shifts under paving that is not set well.
Protected trees, licensed pruning: why Manhattan Beach owners call us
Tree work goes wrong when it is rushed or under-equipped. We run our own 75-foot boom trucks, lift trucks, chippers and stump grinders, and every crew works under an ISA Certified Arborist — so the job gets done right the first time.
We hold California license #1002853 for both landscaping and tree and palm work, we are bonded, we carry general liability and every employee is on workers’ compensation.
ISA Certified Arborist
An arborist checks if your tree is protected and where it stands before any work is booked.
Licensed, Bonded & Insured
Curbside trees over 6 inches must be pruned by a C-61/D-49 company. We hold C-61/D-49 and C-27 under license #1002853.
Southern California Since 1985
City storm advice: prune big trees that may fall after heavy rain. We've done that work since 1985.
Our Own Equipment
Our own lift truck reaches palms from the Sand Section to El Porto.
Reviews to read before you book in Manhattan Beach
Every word below was written by a customer on Google, not by us. Long reviews are shortened to fit the card — never reworded. None of them was left in Manhattan Beach: they come from customers across Southern California. Read them for how a crew behaves on a job, then decide whether that is who you want in Manhattan Beach.
“Great pricing & service. Highly competent with tricky jobs. We have used them for more than 10 years.”
Melanie Butler
Local Guide
“We got bids from five contractors. After I talked to them all and checked out their licenses and work, we decided to go with Supreme. … The job took a day and a half, and when they were done, they left the place immaculate.”
Hank Shaeffer
“Great tree trimmers! I’ve used Supreme Tree Experts twice to trim the palm trees in my yard. … The guys who come out are quick thorough, and clean. And very careful not to damage property.”
Emilie Pacheco
“These guys have worked on my property 3 times now. They are always on time and do a fantastic job. I highly recommend them!”
Ray Thompson
“After soliciting several quotes on some difficult yard work, we chose Supreme because of their licensed Arborist Temis … The crew was extremely hard working and we couldn’t believe their continuous work ethic on one of the hottest days of the year.”
Gary Brown
Local Guide
The three stages of a job in Manhattan Beach
- 01.
Free visit
An arborist tapes the trunk at 4.5 feet and checks if it sits in the 20-foot front setback or 5-foot corner side setback.
- No charge for the visit
- Protected trees flagged
- 02.
Permit and plan
If a Tree Permit or a Public Works permit is needed, you get it first. Curb-strip pruning is set between September and March.
- Pruning season respected
- Permits first
- 03.
Work and clean-up
Every branch is chipped and hauled. Any required 36-inch box tree goes in within 90 days.
- Full clean-up
- Replacement tree planted if needed
Tree work in Manhattan Beach: the common questions
6 answers for Manhattan Beach, no hedging. If yours is not here, call 877-787-7363 and ask.
Sometimes. In residential Area Districts I and II, a tree 12 inches across or more that stands in the front yard or corner side yard is protected and needs a Tree Permit. Each removal must be replaced with a 36-inch box tree. Fan palms and fruit trees are not covered.
You do. The owner looks after, waters and usually pays to remove the parkway tree in front of the house. You still need a Public Works permit to work on it, and a replacement must come from the city's approved list.
Only from September 1 to March 31. Parkway trees over 6 inches across must be pruned by a C-61/D-49 company.
In an emergency, like a tree about to topple onto a house in high wind, it can be dealt with right away. Call the Planner of the Day at (310) 802-5520, and file the permit within five working days.
Yes — $600 for tree services, wherever the job is. Small beach lots and tight streets make access the biggest part of most prices here.
Yes, 24/7. Strong winds off the ocean can drop limbs on homes, cars and walks. Call 877-787-7363.
Find Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach runs from the Strand and El Porto inland to Manhattan Village.
- ZIP code
- 90266