Tree Service in San Pedro, CA
From the Vincent Thomas Bridge to the Point Fermin cliffs, San Pedro sits on some of the steepest streets in the city. On these hills, San Pedro tree service means careful pruning and removal, and we point out which trees the city owns.
Tree care in San Pedro
A harbor town built on moving ground
In San Pedro, the ground under a tree matters as much as the tree. The area began as part of Rancho San Pedro, a 1784 land grant of more than 75,000 acres, and joined the City of Los Angeles in 1909. Streets rise fast from the harbor, and one block of 28th Street climbs at a 33% grade. Near Point Fermin, the cliff began to slide in 1929 after water soaked a clay layer, and two homes slid into the sea. In November 2011, part of Paseo del Mar fell into the ocean. Trees on these lots need care that respects the slope.
On a San Pedro bluff, a tree's roots hold soil. Think twice before you pull them out.
Who governs tree work in San Pedro
City of Los Angeles
San Pedro has no tree ordinance of its own — it is governed by the City of Los Angeles, and that jurisdiction's rules apply here. No pruning permits shall be issued for Historic-Cultural Monument street trees without written approval of Urban Forestry Division management. All tree planting requires a no-fee plant permit that is issued by the Bureau’s UFD. Additionally, UFD upholds protection of Oak trees and other native tree and shrub species protected by the City of Los Angeles’ Protected Tree and Shrub Ordinance. Rules change. Confirm current requirements with the jurisdiction before work begins — filing a permit is the property owner's responsibility, not ours.
What we handle
Steep-slope removal, wind thinning and palms up San Pedro's hills
Supreme Tree Experts removes, thins and trims palms on San Pedro's hills, where streets climb as steep as 33%. Soaked ground near the cliffs can let a tree tip, and owners who see one leaning call Supreme Tree Experts.
Tree Removal
We remove trees on San Pedro lots with the slope in mind, and on a bluff we often trim instead. Roots help hold soil, and a 1929 cliff slide here began when water soaked a clay layer. Ask a geotechnical engineer about the ground itself.
Tree Trimming & Pruning
Our crews thin dense crowns near the cliffs so ocean wind can pass through them. Steady sea wind dries leaves on the water side and pushes hard on a thick crown. Thinning cuts that load without stripping the tree.
Stump Grinding & Stump Removal
We grind stumps on steep lots, even where our truck must stop well below the yard. Here, cost often turns on the grade and how far the crew carries brush. The stump goes below the soil, and the roots stay put to hold the ground.
Palm Tree Trimming & Skinning
Above the harbor, where gusts blow in off the water, we cut dead fronds and seed stalks from palms. Skinning clears the old frond bases from the trunk. Our lift truck for palms does it with no spikes in the bark.
Emergency Tree Service
Our crew answers 24/7 when a tree comes down on a house or blocks a steep drive. Heavy rain has moved the ground near the cliffs here more than once, and soaked soil lets trees tip. Call as soon as you see a new lean.
Tree Maintenance
Each year we check yard trees for dead wood, weak forks and limbs worn by wind. Parkway trees here belong to the Urban Forestry Division, so the free on-site estimate sorts out which trees are yours. Then you get a plan for your own.
Tree Height Reduction
We shorten trees that grow into a harbor view, cutting long limbs back to side branches. Many homes up the hill look out toward the Vincent Thomas Bridge. We never top, since topping leaves weak regrowth the wind can snap.
Estate Tree Care
We plan care for bigger San Pedro hillside lots, where trees stand on ground that climbs fast from the harbor. One block of 28th Street rises at a 33% grade. Our 75-ft boom trucks reach tall trees from the street, and each one gets care by season.
Tree Shaping & Shrub Shearing
Our crew shears hillside hedges and shrubs so each one stays wider at the base than the top. That shape lets light reach the lower leaves, so the hedge stays full. Clippings leave with us the same day.
Landscaping
For steep lots, we plan yard planting around plants that need little water. Planting a street tree here takes a no-fee permit from the Urban Forestry Division. The city also protects oaks and some native shrubs, so we plan around them.
Hardscape
Our steps, paths and low walls go on a firm, level base, well back from big roots. In November 2011, part of a cliff-top road here fell into the ocean. On these bluffs, drainage that sends water away from the slope comes first.
San Pedro tree questions, answered
Start here — these 6 cover most of what you need before booking tree work in San Pedro. If yours is not here, call 877-787-7363 and ask.
Not without thinking about the soil first. The Sunken City slide near Point Fermin began in 1929 when water seeped into a clay layer in the cliff. Roots help hold soil, so on a bluff we often suggest trimming, or grinding the stump and leaving the roots. For questions about the ground itself, ask a geotechnical engineer.
The City of Los Angeles. San Pedro joined the city in 1909, so parkway trees here are the Urban Forestry Division's, and street trees named as Historic-Cultural Monuments need its sign-off before any pruning. Anything inside your lot line is yours. Our arborist can sort out which is which on the free visit.
Yes, with proper cuts. Many homes up the hill look toward the harbor and the Vincent Thomas Bridge. We shorten long limbs back to side branches so the tree keeps its shape. We never top a tree, because topping leaves weak regrowth that can break off in the wind.
Yes. Homes near the Point Fermin Lighthouse, built in 1874, sit right above the ocean. Steady wind off the water dries leaves on the sea side and pushes hard on a dense crown. Thinning lets the wind pass through, and a regular check spots limbs the wind has weakened.
Yes — $600 for tree services, wherever the job is. In San Pedro, cost often turns on the grade and how far the brush must be carried to where our truck can stop.
Yes, 24/7. Heavy rain has moved the ground near the cliffs here more than once, and soaked soil can let a tree tip. Call 877-787-7363.
What happens after you call from San Pedro
- 01.
Slope and bluff check
On a free visit, our arborist checks roots, lean and the grade below, plus the gap to any San Pedro bluff edge or curb.
- Slope noted
- Estimate is free
- 02.
Harbor-view plan
You hear which limbs come off, including any that block your view, and pick a day.
- View limbs marked
- No topping
- 03.
Lowered by rope
On steep ground the crew lowers each piece on a rope, then feeds the brush through our chipper.
- Ropes on slopes
- Chips hauled off
Hill blocks and bluff lots: the San Pedro crew with its own reach
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 visits for free. In San Pedro, that visit also sorts the street trees, which the City of Los Angeles looks after, from the trees in your yard.
Licensed, Bonded & Insured
State license #1002853 covers our tree crews (C-61/D-49) and our landscape crews (C-27). We carry a bond, and insurance covers every worker on your hillside lot.
Southern California Since 1985
We started in 1985. San Pedro had already been part of the city for 76 years by then, and the same family still runs our company.
Our Own Equipment
Our boom trucks reach 75 feet, so the crew can work tall trees from the street on the hill blocks. Our own chippers and grinders come too.
Reviews to read before you book in San Pedro
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 San Pedro: 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 San Pedro.
“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
San Pedro and the area around it
San Pedro runs from the harbor and the Vincent Thomas Bridge south to the cliffs at Point Fermin.
- ZIP codes
- 9073190732