Tree Trimming in Camino
Camino's in our area, ZIP 95709. Call us now at (530) 238-3614 and we'll have a local tree pro come up the hill to look at your apple trees, pines or oaks.
We set the visit up for you. The pro looks the trees over and quotes the work.
Apple country, at 3,000 feet
Camino means "path" in Spanish. Highway 50 runs right through it, roughly midway from Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe. The USGS puts its average height at 3,133 feet, though the town runs from about 3,000 to 3,500.
Camino is a popular spot for apple picking in fall. So popular that it often gets mixed up with Apple Hill itself. It's also known for Christmas tree farms. The 2020 census counted 1,871 residents.
It's high enough that it snows here several times a year. That matters more for trees than most folks expect.
Snow and weak limbs
Wet snow piles up on branches, especially on evergreens that keep their needles or leaves all winter. A limb that's already cracked or half dead is the one that gives way.
So the best time to look is in fall, before the first snow. Have a pro check for dead limbs, splits and long branches hanging over the roof or the drive. The International Society of Arboriculture calls taking out dead, weak and sick branches "cleaning." Those limbs can come off any time of year.
After a heavy snow, stay out from under loaded trees until things melt off a bit. If a limb comes down on a wire, keep 10 feet back and call PG&E or 911.
Your own apple trees
Got a few apple trees of your own? Old ones can get tall and tangled.
A UC Master Gardener sheet on fruit trees says to start with the dead, diseased and crossing branches. Then cut out the water sprouts. It also suggests keeping trees short enough to pick without a ladder. That's easier on you and on the tree.
Apples get their main cut in winter while dormant, plus a light trim in summer to slow growth. If you have apricots or cherries too, UC says those wait for July and August.
Conifers and beetle season
Christmas tree country means lots of conifers. For pines, UC's bark beetle guide is clear. Leave them alone between February and mid-October, while beetles are flying.
At this height, black oaks start showing up too. The UC talk lists them from about 2,000 to 6,000 feet. Those drop their leaves, so they get pruned in winter.
Heavy oak cuts in Camino fall under the county's oak rules, since it isn't a city.
Prices
National guides give a ballpark. Fixr puts pruning at $350 to $650, with a 30-foot apple tree at about $450. LawnStarter lists trees under 30 feet at $85 to $415.
A steep lot or snow on the ground can slow the job down. The pro quotes it after looking.
Camino questions
Do you cover Camino?
Yes. Call (530) 238-3614 with your road and we'll find a pro who works up the hill.
When should I check my trees for snow damage?
In fall, before the first snow. Dead and cracked limbs are the ones most likely to break under the weight.
When do I prune my apple trees in Camino?
Mostly in winter while they're dormant, with a light summer trim to keep them in check.
Can I trim my pines in summer?
Better not. UC says pines should wait out February through mid-October, beetle season.
Nearby
Close by: tree trimming in Pollock Pines, tree trimming in Pleasant Valley and tree trimming in Placerville. See fruit tree pruning, the Diamond Springs home page, or all towns.