From Canopy to Craftsmanship: The Journey of a Grand Live Oak in Emerald Hills
A Tree with History, A Future with Purpose
Nestled in the heart of Emerald Hills in San Mateo County, a stunning property filled with magnificent live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) stood as a testament to thoughtful tree care and preservation. Among them, one particularly grand live oak had flourished for decades—measuring 48 inches in DBH and soaring to 70 feet high. However, its proximity to the house had become a growing concern. The tree’s canopy loomed over the roof, and its massive trunk was nearly touching the structure. Insurance concerns sealed its fate: the tree had to be removed before the renewal deadline to ensure the homeowner could retain coverage. Arborist Now had to act fast.
Grand Live Oak Before Removal
The client, Marco, had recently bought the house and knew he had to remove the tree for safety and insurance purposes. However, he didn’t want to lose such a majestic tree without preserving its essence. Previously, while searching for a unique piece of wood, he had discovered Arbor Upcycle, our urban wood repurposing division. To his delight, he found out that we were also Arborist Now, a full-service tree company, meaning we could handle both the tree removal and the milling process—exactly what he needed.
A Crew with a Mission
Evaluating Tree Risks Near Home Foundation for Structural Safety
Understanding the urgency of the removal, Josh Johns, our Certified Tree Consulting Arborist, quickly conducted an assessment and wrote a tree report for the San Mateo County permit application, as the tree was considered significant. Once the permit was approved, our crew arrived on-site, ready for the task ahead. Spirits were high, the sky was clear, and the team—well prepared with all necessary safety equipment—was eager to get to work.
Leading the operation was our experienced crew leader, Salvador ("Salva"), with over 20 years in the field. At his side was Ricardo, our expert tree climber, known for his precision and efficiency after 13 years of navigating tree canopies. Alongside them were our dedicated tree removal specialists, each equipped with PPE, helmets, and Bluetooth communication systems to ensure smooth coordination—especially crucial in an operation as technical as this one.
In the early morning sun, Ricardo tightened his climbing harness and checked his rigging gear, preparing for the first ascent. The tree stood tall, its thick base leaning dangerously close to the house, highlighting the complexity of the tree removal operation ahead. Before we started he asked if anyone wanted an espresso. Such a tempting offer, but there was work to be done.
A Collaborative Plan for Transformation
Marco had a vision—he wanted to recycle the wood from the removed tree into various pieces for his garden and a stunning dining table that would serve as a conversation piece in his new home. To ensure that Marco's vision became a reality, Jean Claude Rochat, the owner of Arborist Now, joined the meeting to listen and offer solutions. We had a collaborative meeting between Jean Claude Rochat, Marco, Josh Johns, and Clint Stewart, the general milling projects manager.
Clint developed a strategic milling and design plan, determining which sections of the tree could be cut into specific lengths and what could be milled into usable slabs. He provided Marco with a detailed list of possible furniture pieces, including the dimensions of the slabs and benches. To facilitate the removal process, Clint also sent a marked-up photo of the tree with red lines, illustrating the optimal cutting points to guide the tree removal crew.
A Technical and Thoughtful Tree Removal
Ricardo Performing Expert Tree Removal at Heights
Ricardo ascended the tree, setting up rigging equipment with precise calculations. Every cut mattered, especially since our goal was to preserve as much wood as possible for urban wood repurposing. The challenge? The massive sections had to be removed without damaging the house or creating unnecessary waste.
To manage this, we employed a dual rope and pulley system, ensuring smooth, controlled lowering of each piece. Ricardo and Salva worked in perfect sync—cutting, securing, and lowering branches with expert precision. The rest of the crew efficiently chipped the smaller branches and neatly stacked the reclaimed logs in the property’s courtyard.
By the end of the day, the tree was safely removed, and the next phase of its transformation was about to begin.
From Tree to Timber: Urban Wood Milling & Repurposing
High-Quality Oak Slabs Milled for Our Client's Custom Projects
The following morning, Robinson arrived with the grapple truck, carefully loading and transporting the preserved trunk and limbs to our urban wood milling yard. The tree had been cut strategically to align with the preapproved custom furniture design plan between Clint and Marco.
At the yard, Clint and his team, including Carlos, meticulously milled the wood, selecting the best cuts for custom slab wood tables, handcrafted benches, and decorative rounds. The main trunk was slabbed into thick, rich tabletops, while sturdy limbs were crafted into durable garden benches and outdoor furniture pieces.
A Legacy Preserved
Our Satisfied Client Enjoying His Custom-Milled Wood Bench
By the end of the process, Arborist Now had delivered a comprehensive solution that:
- Made the property much safer by removing the hazardous tree.
- Helped Marco lower insurance costs by meeting the deadline for renewal.
- Provided Marco with custom wood pieces, including a dining table that would become a unique feature of his new home.
Seeing the finished reclaimed wood furniture installed on his property, the client was overjoyed. His once-standing live oak had now been reborn into functional, beautiful pieces—ones that would continue to serve as a centerpiece for gatherings, a story to tell, and a cherished memory.
And this time, when he invited our crew for an espresso, we gladly accepted.
More Than Tree Removal—A Commitment to Sustainability
Delivering Custom-Milled Wood Slabs to Our Client
At Arborist Now, we believe trees have a legacy that extends beyond their time in the ground. While tree removal is sometimes necessary, it doesn’t have to mean the end. By combining expert tree care with urban wood milling, we turn tree loss into opportunity—ensuring that every tree continues to be part of the story.
🌳 Do you have a tree that needs to be removed but want to preserve its legacy? Contact Arborist Now—we’ll help turn it into something extraordinary. 🌳
