You might think that taking care of your trees would be easy. Here in Atherton, our properties are known for their big, old trees. But I have seen people make some big mistakes when they plan or hire for tree health and care projects. These are not just small errors; they can cause large fines, damage to the landscape, and a lot of problems. Let us talk about what to look out for.
Ignoring Atherton's Heritage Tree Ordinance
This is often the biggest mistake, and it is a problem many homeowners run into. Atherton takes its trees seriously, and there is a good reason for this. We have amazing Heritage Oaks and other important trees that make our town special. What you might not know is that the Town's Heritage Tree Ordinance (Chapter 8.10 of the Municipal Code) protects more than just cutting down a tree. Actions like too much pruning, topping, grading, or even paving over too much of a tree's root zone are considered damage. These actions can cause serious issues for property owners in Atherton.
I have seen homeowners get prices for work that does not follow these rules. A