Tree Service in South Pasadena, CA
South Pasadena looks after about 21,000 trees and has new tree rules from 2025. When we remove or trim trees, our tree service in South Pasadena helps you know which of those rules apply to yours.
Tree care in South Pasadena
A Tree City with new rules and old trees
South Pasadena has been a Tree City USA for more than 25 years. The city cares for about 21,000 public trees, and its tree law was rewritten in 2025. Oaks, sycamores, bay laurels and several other natives are protected at 4 inches across, and any tree 12 inches across or more is 'significant'. In the 2011 windstorm, about 115 trees came down in the city. The Monterey Hills are now in high and very high fire hazard zones, so trees near homes there need extra care.
Here, even the calendar matters. Oaks can only be trimmed from June to September.
Who governs tree work in South Pasadena
City of South Pasadena
Tree work in South Pasadena follows the city's own tree rules. As a condition of the permit, replacement trees must be planted within 90 days of issuance date on the permit. A permit must be obtained from the City's Public Works Department before any pruning is performed on protected trees. Rules change. Confirm current requirements with the jurisdiction before work begins — filing a permit is the property owner's responsibility, not ours.
Source: Tree Information, Map, and Guide - City of South Pasadena
The work
South Pasadena oak trims, significant-tree removals and stump work
Supreme Tree Experts trims oaks, removes trees and grinds stumps in South Pasadena, where any 12-inch tree counts as significant. If your insurer wants a big tree gone, South Pasadena owners talk it over with Supreme Tree Experts.
Tree Removal
We remove trees in South Pasadena once the permit is issued. Any tree 12 inches across or more counts as significant and needs one. An insurer denying or cancelling cover because of the tree is an accepted reason.
Tree Trimming & Pruning
Our crews trim oaks only from June 1 to September 30. Oak trimming is not allowed the rest of the year unless the city arborist finds a hazard. We book oak work early in that window.
Stump Grinding & Stump Removal
We grind stumps low so a replacement tree can go in nearby. A removed tree must be replaced with at least a 24-inch box tree. That tree must go in within 90 days of the permit date.
Palm Tree Trimming & Skinning
We cut dead fronds and seed stalks from tall palms before they fall on roofs, cars and sidewalks. Skinning then cleans the old frond bases off the trunk. We work from our palm lift truck, a few palms at a time.
Emergency Tree Service
We answer 24/7 when a storm leaves a tree over your home. In an emergency, a protected tree can be trimmed right away. The city then needs photos and notes within five business days.
Tree Maintenance
We give your own trees the same regular checks the city gives its public ones. The city cares for about 21,000 public trees and has been a Tree City USA for over 25 years. Big trees near the house come first.
Tree Height Reduction
We lower tall crowns with cuts back to strong side branches, never topping. Taking off more than 10% of a protected tree's live leaves needs a permit here. We keep each reduction under that line or wait for the permit.
Estate Tree Care
Older homes often hold oaks, sycamores and bay laurels, and we care for them on a steady plan. These natives are protected at just 4 inches across. The plan keeps them healthy and inside the rules.
Tree Shaping & Shrub Shearing
Our crew shapes hedges and shrubs on a regular cycle, so they stay neat without hard cuts. Light, frequent shearing keeps the leaves dense and the shape even from top to bottom. Clippings are chipped and carried out to our truck.
Landscaping
We plan planting for hillside yards with fire safety near the house in mind. Parts of the city now sit in high and very high fire hazard zones. Low, well-spaced plants by the walls are easier to keep clear.
Hardscape
We build walls and steps on steep lots on a firm base, clear of protected tree roots. Narrow hillside roads limit where trucks can park. We plan deliveries, parking and access with you before any work begins.
Reviews to read before you book in South Pasadena
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 South Pasadena: 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 South Pasadena.
“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
South Pasadena's license rule, and the family crew that meets it
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 or significant before you pay for anything.
Licensed, Bonded & Insured
The city gives tree permits only to C-27, C-49 or C-61/D-49 license holders. We hold C-27 and C-61/D-49 under license #1002853.
Southern California Since 1985
Storm clean-up has been part of our work since 1985. One local arborist called the 2011 windstorm the worst here since 1971.
Our Own Equipment
Our own boom trucks, lift truck and chippers mean we are not waiting on rented gear after a storm.
How tree work in South Pasadena runs, start to finish
- 01.
Free visit
An arborist looks at the tree and checks its size and type. That tells you if the city needs a permit, and when oak work is allowed.
- No charge for the visit
- Protected trees flagged
- 02.
Permit and plan
If a permit is needed, it is filed with Public Works first. We then set a date that fits the season rules.
- Oak season respected
- Work planned around your home
- 03.
Work and clean-up
The crew does the work, clears every branch and leaves your yard clean.
- Full clean-up
- Stump ground if you want
Straight answers for South Pasadena
6 questions about tree work in South Pasadena, answered without the sales language. If yours is not here, call 877-787-7363 and ask.
From June 1 to September 30. Oak trimming is not allowed the rest of the year unless the city arborist finds a hazard or an emergency. Taking off more than 10% of a protected tree's live leaves also needs a permit.
Yes, that can be a reason. The city's tree rules list a documented denial or cancellation of your homeowners insurance because of the tree as a reason for removal. You still need the permit, and a replacement tree of at least a 24-inch box.
Yes. In an emergency, a protected tree can be trimmed right away. You must tell the city and send photos and notes within five business days. Storm or fire trees that officials call dangerous are exempt from the usual rules.
Only contractors with a C-27, C-49 or C-61/D-49 license and a city business license. Supreme holds C-27 and C-61/D-49 under California license #1002853.
Yes — $600 for tree services, wherever the job is. Hillside homes in the Monterey Hills can take longer, because narrow roads limit where trucks can park.
Yes, 24/7. Big trees can fall in the valley's windstorms without much warning. Call 877-787-7363.
South Pasadena on the map
South Pasadena sits between the Arroyo Seco and the Monterey Hills.
- ZIP code
- 91030