A Rare Urban Giant: Giant Sequoia Removal and Milling in Hillsborough, CA
From Decline to New Life: The Journey of a Giant Sequoia in Hillsborough
In the summer of 2024, landscape architect Keith Willig reached out to Arborist Now with an unusual request. His clients in Hillsborough, California, were beginning a complete property rebuild and had a massive mature tree standing prominently in front of the home along Floribunda Avenue. The tree, a giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), was in visible decline—its crown thinning and the upper sections drying out—a condition common for sequoias outside their native Sierra Nevada range. Though it was clearly suffering, Keith and the homeowners wanted to honor the tree’s legacy by salvaging as much of it as possible for future use rather than letting it go to waste.
After several video conferences between Keith and Arborist Now’s management team, a plan was developed to safely remove and mill the tree on-site. By the time work began in October 2024, it was confirmed to be one of the largest sequoias ever handled by our team—nearly ninety feet tall and more than seven feet in diameter at the base.
Our arborist consultant, Josh Johns, worked closely with the landscape architect and the Town of Hillsborough to obtain all necessary tree removal permits and ensure the process complied with local regulations. With its declining health and safety concerns in mind, the removal was approved as part of the property redevelopment plan.
A Monumental Tree in the Heart of Hillsborough
Standing close to ninety feet tall with a trunk diameter exceeding seven feet, the sequoia had become both a landmark and a challenge. Fortunately, because the property was slated for a full rebuild, there was enough open space to safely fell a large section of the tree without risk to nearby structures.
With detailed planning and the right equipment, Arborist Now’s removal crew executed the takedown efficiently. The tree was carefully sectioned into 8- and 12-foot lengths, with part of the material slated for on-site milling and the remainder transported to our San Francisco milling yard using our specialized grapple truck and telehandler. Within a day and a half, the removal was complete, and every section of the tree was prepared for its next life.
Milling a Giant: The Lucas Mill in Action
To process such a massive log, Arborist Now deployed our Lucas Dedicated Super Slabber Mill (DSSM) — a powerful Australian-built sawmill capable of cutting logs up to 9 feet in diameter. This project demonstrated exactly why we invested in this rare piece of equipment, one of the very few of its kind on the West Coast.
Once the mill was set up around the enormous trunk, our milling team began slabbing. Over the course of a day and a half, the base section yielded nine spectacular slabs, each about ten feet long and ranging from 48 to 70 inches wide. The vibrant reddish-brown heartwood and cathedral grain patterns reflected the tree’s long history and resilience.
The slabs were stacked and stickered on-site, where they will air-dry throughout the home’s reconstruction. In time, they’ll be transformed into custom furniture and large tables, allowing the homeowners to preserve a piece of their property’s history in their rebuilt home.
Craftsmanship and Preservation
In addition to the slabs, Keith requested several large rounds from the trunk to serve as wall art and tabletops. These were produced back at our San Francisco yard after the Lucas Mill was reassembled there. The following day, a two-person crew returned to the property to grind the remaining stump, restoring the site for construction.
Keith and his clients were thrilled by both the quality of the material and the professionalism of our team, noting Arborist Now’s efficiency, precision, and craftsmanship throughout the project.
Nothing Wasted: Giving Back to the Community
Staying true to our Arbor Upcycle philosophy, we also salvaged three additional 12-foot logs beyond what was needed for the project. These were milled into beautiful slabs and dimensional wood, now available to local artisans and woodworkers interested in creating unique pieces from this historic tree.
From Hillsborough to San Francisco, the journey of this Giant Sequoia continues—transformed from a declining urban landmark into timeless works of art, furniture, and community creations.
At Arborist Now, we believe every tree has a second story. If you have a declining or removed tree, let us help transform it into something lasting through sustainable milling and craftsmanship.