A Rare Urban Giant: Removing and Repurposing a Giant Sequoia in Hillsborough, CA
In the summer of 2024, landscape architect Keith Willig reached out to Arborist Now with an unusual challenge. His clients, Ben and Heather, had recently purchased a home in Hillsborough, CA, and discovered a towering tree on the property that neither Keith nor the homeowners could identify—but they knew it was special.
After a quick consultation, Arborist Now confirmed the tree was a Giant Sequoia—one of the most iconic and rare species in the world, especially in an urban setting. These giants are native to the snowy slopes of the Sierra Nevada, where they can live for thousands of years. The tree on this property was estimated to be around 150 years old, a remarkable age for a specimen planted outside its natural habitat. But in the Bay Area’s foggy, coastal climate, they often suffer. This one, nearly 90 feet tall with a massive 7-foot trunk, was clearly declining. Its crown was dying, and the tree’s health had sharply deteriorated.
Because the tree stood in front of the property and the driveway was being rebuilt as part of the construction project, there was enough room to safely bring it down. What followed was a carefully planned removal and on-site milling operation that respected both the tree’s grandeur and the client’s wish to preserve its legacy. As a full-service tree care company, Arborist Now managed everything—from safe removal of the tree to deploying our extra-large milling equipment right on site to repurpose the wood for the new home. We also handled the necessary permits from the County of San Mateo, ensuring all legal requirements were met for the removal of such a significant specimen. This comprehensive approach offered tremendous added value to the client, who not only cleared the way for construction but gained high-quality, custom-milled Giant Sequoia lumber—wood that on its own could be worth a small fortune. It was a unique opportunity to preserve a piece of the property’s past and seamlessly incorporate it into the new build.
It’s incredibly rare to work with Giant Sequoia wood, and we were excited to honor the tree by milling it into usable pieces. The heartwood revealed gorgeous reddish and purple tones—rich, soft, and easy to work with. Despite being filled with water when fresh, Sequoia wood dries with minimal cracking or warping, a remarkable trait compared to many other species.
We milled eight large 3-inch-thick slabs that the homeowners plan to repurpose into outdoor tables, benches, and other furnishings. We also milled a 4-inch-thick round for another tabletop and a 1-inch-thick round they will use for wall art. These pieces will be air-dried during the home’s reconstruction and eventually turned into one-of-a-kind furniture and features for the new house. The rest of the usable wood has been made available to our community, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
At Arborist Now, we believe every tree tells a story. This Giant Sequoia’s legacy will live on—not just as part of a home, but as something beautiful and lasting that continues to inspire. More than removal. We protect stories, not just stumps. See how Arborist Now can help.
