Emergency Tree Removal in Woodside—From Start to Finish

A Peaceful Woodside Property Turns into an Urgent Call for Help

Nestled just a short walk from downtown Woodside, our team was called to a property that felt like stepping back in time—a classic ranch-style home with mature trees, an old barn, and a winding stream marking the property line. It was a beautiful site, but one morning, that beauty turned into urgency when a large alder tree was uprooted and fell across the creek, stretching its heavy crown onto the neighbor’s property. 

The neighbor, understandably concerned about the fallen branches resting on their side of the creek, wanted the tree removed as soon as possible—but without allowing access from their property. That meant no cranes, no grapple trucks, and no heavy equipment from the easier side. Every part of the operation had to be managed from within our client’s property and over a waterway. 

That’s where experience makes all the difference.

Assessing the Situation 

When the call came in, I visited the site with Matt Prady, one of our most experienced arborists, to inspect the damage and plan a safe removal. We were soon joined by Josh, our consulting arborist, who helped evaluate the risk and prepare the removal permit application required by the city of Woodside. 

Because of the emergency nature of the situation—a fallen tree across a waterway and a second tree leaning dangerously toward the neighbor’s side—the city granted the permit just a few days after submission. We coordinated every step with the homeowner so they didn’t have to deal with the stress of paperwork or city follow-up. 

From the very beginning, our goal was to make this project effortless for the client—from the assessment and permits to neighbor coordination and final cleanup.  

Respecting the Site and the Neighbors 

Before the work began, we reached out personally to the neighbor to explain our plan and timeline. They appreciated our communication and concern for their property. Although they preferred we stay on our client’s side of the creek, we assured them we would protect the waterway and riverbank from damage or erosion. 

That meant rethinking how we’d normally remove such large sections of wood. Instead of machinery, we relied on pure arborist skill—a system of ropes, pulleys, and careful rigging to move each section safely across the stream without dragging or disturbing the ground. 

It was slow, technical work, but it’s the kind of challenge our team thrives on.  

The Technical Challenge 

There were actually two trees involved: the fallen alder and another standing just a few feet away, now destabilized by the uprooting of its twin. Both had to come down. 

Matt, who led the crew and managed the entire project, climbed and rigged the trees himself. With years of climbing experience and deep knowledge of modern gear and rigging systems, he orchestrated the removal with precision—controlling each cut and descent so that nothing touched the creek below. 

In just two days of hard work, the crew completed the removal, safely dismantled all sections, and left the creek and surrounding soil intact. The property was secure again, and both neighbors were relieved to see the situation resolved without conflict or damage. 

 Giving the Wood a Second Life 

Among the fallen wood, we found that the alder logs were in excellent condition—dense, straight, and beautifully colored. Rather than letting them go to waste, we carefully set aside the best sections and brought them back to our milling facility in San Francisco. 

There, they’ll be transformed into something new—perhaps live-edge slabs, benches, or tabletops. Alder is a remarkably beautiful wood, warm in tone and full of character. Milling it locally is part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability—turning what could have been waste into lasting, usable material. 

It’s one of the things that makes Arborist Now different: We handle the full cycle, from safe removals to meaningful reuse. 

A Clean Finish, a Safer Property 

By the end of the second day, both trees were safely removed, debris was cleared, and the creek bank was left untouched. The site looked clean, stable, and secure—no more fallen branches across the stream or leaning trunks posing a risk. 

Our work restored safety to the property and peace of mind to both the homeowner and the neighbor. It was a true start-to-finish service—from permit handling and neighbor outreach to precision removal and sustainable milling.  

Closing Thoughts 

This project shows what our team does best—combining safety, skill, and respect for the environment. Whatever your tree care needs in Woodside may be, Arborist Now is here to help. 

Whether it’s emergency tree work, regular pruning, or full property management, our certified arborists bring years of experience and a dedication to doing the job right—with care for both the trees and the community that surrounds them.