Novato is the warmest, driest part of Marin, and its trees show it. Summers here run hotter than down by the bay, the hills turn gold early, and oaks on lots in San Marin, Indian Valley and the hills above Ignacio deal with long dry stretches every year. Older neighborhoods have big eucalyptus and Monterey pines planted as windbreaks decades ago, and many of those trees are now huge, top-heavy and dropping limbs. Novato also has more open-space edge than most Marin towns, so plenty of homes back right onto grassy hills that need to stay cleared in fire season. Those hot, dry summers also stress trees in ways you don't see right away. An oak that went through two dry years in a row can look fine and then drop a big limb the following winter, or start dying back from the top. Watering deep and slow in summer helps, and so does keeping heavy limbs over the house trimmed back.
We do a lot of tree removal in Novato, from dead pines to oaks that have started to lean, along with steady defensible space clearing on the lots that border open space. Free estimates, and we'll walk the lot with you before quoting anything.
Eucalyptus and Pines on Older Lots
Blue gum eucalyptus and Monterey pine grow fast, and both were planted widely around Novato before anyone thought about how big they'd get. Eucalyptus is known for dropping heavy limbs with little warning, sometimes on a calm summer day. It also sheds bark and leaves that pile up and burn easily. Monterey pines planted in the 1960s and 70s are reaching the end of their normal lifespan, and bark beetles finish off stressed trees after a dry year. When one of these trees sits near the house or the driveway, it's worth a close look every few years. Many can be made safer with a good thinning, but some need to come down. Bayside towns like Tiburon have the same mix, with wind adding to the load. If you're replacing a big eucalyptus or pine, ask us about the stump and the roots before you plan new planting, since both species leave a lot behind.
Novato's Heritage Tree Permit
Novato protects big trees on every lot. Every tree whose trunk measures 24 inches in diameter or more, taken 24 inches above grade, counts as a heritage tree, and the city has to approve taking one down. The application asks for a site plan, the species, the trunk size, the reason for removal and who will do the work, so it helps to have those answers ready. On land that hasn't been developed yet, any tree with a six-inch trunk is protected too. Dead and fallen trees aren't covered. A tree that a licensed professional confirms in writing is dying or hazardous can be handled faster, and so can fire-prone species like eucalyptus, Monterey pine and acacia. Once a permit is granted, there's a ten-day wait before work can start. We'll measure the trunk with you and point you to the right form for your hazard tree assessment.
Common Questions
In Novato, a heritage tree is any tree with a trunk at least 24 inches in diameter, or 75 inches around, measured 24 inches above the ground. Trees with special historical ties can be added to the list by council vote as well. Taking one down requires city approval, and once it's granted there's a ten-day appeal window before work can begin.
Only if it's smaller than the heritage size or already dead. A eucalyptus 24 inches across or larger still needs a permit. Novato does treat eucalyptus, Monterey pine, Bishop pine and acacia as fire-prone, which can let the city skip the public notice step and move the permit faster. We'll help you measure the tree and work out which path applies.