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Tree Removal in El Dorado
El Dorado, ZIP 95623? We've got you. Call (530) 316-5144. We'll hunt down a pro who covers this side of the county and pick a day for the visit.
Where El Dorado sits
El Dorado is about 4 miles southwest of Placerville, at an elevation of 1,608 feet. Its ZIP is 95623. It's an unincorporated community, so county rules cover tree work here.
The name means "the golden" in Spanish. Its first name was Mud Springs. Livestock had churned a nearby watering place into a bog. The post office switched to the El Dorado name in 1855.
The state lists the town as Historical Landmark 486. Pony Express riders swapped horses here. One did it on April 13, 1860, hauling the very first mail headed west.
What that history means for your trees
Old towns tend to have old trees in the yards. And big old trees bring big questions.
- Is the oak still solid, or hollow at the base?
- Did someone top it years ago, so the new limbs are weakly attached?
- Is it leaning over a newer addition or a garage?
- Has the soil around it been dug up for a septic or a driveway?
If you can't answer those, a pro's eyes help. Out in the county, oaks also have their own chapter in the county code, so ask the permit question before the saw comes out.
Fire clearing in El Dorado
Out here it's county Chapter 8.09. Plan on a cleared, thinned 100 feet minimum around any structure. On a risky lot, an inspector's report can push that to 300.
Inspectors mostly look at the small stuff that carries fire.
- Dry grass taller than it should be.
- Brush tucked under trees.
- Dead limbs hanging low.
- Needles piled on the roof and in gutters.
- Firewood stacked against the house.
Dead trees count, too. The county code lists dead or dying trees as hazardous vegetation. If one could fall on the house or the driveway, put it at the top of the list.
Photo spot: a small-town street with a historic stone building and an old oak beside it, plain drawing
Getting the brush gone
The Fire Safe Council's free chipping program covers the Western Slope, which includes El Dorado, when grant money allows. Pile the branches by the road with the cut ends facing out. Keep rocks, wire and lumber out of the piles.
Burning is another route outside fire season. Check that it's a burn day first. The county fire district says to scrape a ten foot wide ring to bare dirt around each pile.
Price notes for El Dorado
National guides are the best numbers we've got. LawnStarter's average is $630 to take down a tree. A big one over 100 feet runs $1,300 to $2,000, Fixr says.
Lots in town are often small, with tight access. That can mean a slower job. Bigger parcels outside the center give the crew more room, which can help the price.
Splitting the wood into firewood is extra. LawnStarter puts it around $50 to $90.
Your pre-visit list
- Find the property corners if a tree is near the line.
- Tell the neighbor if a tree could land in their yard.
- Know which trees are oaks.
- Snap photos of anything you're worried about.
- Write down what you want done with the wood and the stump.
Asked about El Dorado
Is El Dorado part of Placerville?
No. El Dorado is a separate, unincorporated spot roughly 4 miles southwest of town. It even has a ZIP of its own, 95623.
Do county rules apply here?
Yes. Fire clearing falls under county Chapter 8.09, and oaks fall under the county oak chapter.
Can you help with a big old oak?
Yes. We'll set up a pro to look at it. Ask about the permit before any cutting.
Nearby
Right next door: tree removal in Diamond Springs. Farther west, out on 50: tree removal in Shingle Springs. Back up the hill: tree removal in Placerville. For fire clearing help, our defensible space tree removal page has the details. Or head back to all towns.