Tree Trimming in Lotus
Lotus is one of ours, a mile or so west of Coloma. Give (530) 366-5087 a ring. Somebody who prunes in that corner of the county will come have a look.
We arrange the visit. The pro sizes up your trees and names a price.
Three names in thirty-odd years
Lotus lies low, just 722 feet up. Settlers arrived in 1849 and called the place Marshall, honoring James W. Marshall, who discovered gold nearby. Come 1850 the name switched to Uniontown, celebrating California's admission to the Union. Then in 1881 a post office opened, and with it came the name Lotus.
Hard to picture now, but estimates put its peak population somewhere around 8,000 to 10,000 souls. Back then Lotus had its store, its dance hall, and a sizable Chinese population, which kept its own burial ground. These days Lotus is a sleepy spot beside better-known Coloma.
Valley oaks on low ground
Valley oaks favor low, moist ground. In the UC Master Gardener talk, valley oak gets described as huge, with massive limbs reaching sideways and a broad, spreading crown. Bottomlands and creek banks suit it best.
Since valley oak sheds its leaves, winter is its pruning season. Those long, weighty limbs draw a pro's eye first. Where one stretches across a roof, deck or parking spot, shortening it gradually over a winter or two makes sense.
Shortening should end at a sturdy side branch, which keeps the oak's natural form. ISA wants that side branch at least one third as thick as whatever limb is being cut.
Too much water
Low, soggy ground brings its own trouble. The Master Gardeners describe Phytophthora root and crown rot, which thrives on excess soil moisture and poor drainage.
Watch for leaves that discolor, stay stunted, wilt or fall early. Underground, roots turn dark and decayed, and the tree may die. Draining any standing water may help, according to the talk.
So in a damp yard, aim sprinklers and lawn water away from an oak's trunk and roots. Lawns around oaks invite disease from too much water, the Master Gardeners caution. An oak is happiest kept dry through summer.
Gentle cuts for hot months
Oaks shrug off summer heat. A freshly overpruned tree does not. Strip away lots of leaves at once and bark that was always shaded suddenly bakes in full sun. ISA says sunburn, cankers and bark splitting can follow.
Patience pays. Some cuts this winter, some next.
Cost in Lotus
Nobody tracks Lotus prices on their own, as far as we know. Fixr's national figures put a 20 to 30 foot tree at $150 to $450 to trim. A mature valley oak is bigger work; LawnStarter lists trees of 30 to 60 feet at $215 to $790. You'll hear a set price from your pro, after a look and before any cutting.
Lotus questions
Can you get a pro to Lotus?
Yes indeed. Ring (530) 366-5087 with your road and the sort of tree, and we'll book a visit.
When should a valley oak be pruned?
Winter. It drops its leaves, and leaf-dropping oaks get their pruning in winter by the Master Gardener rule.
Is lawn water bad for my oak?
Often, yes. Lawns watered around an oak can bring on disease, since too much water reaches the trunk and shallow roots.
Nearby towns
A mile east is tree trimming in Coloma. A bit south is tree trimming in Gold Hill, and up the road to the northwest is tree trimming in Pilot Hill. Read about oak tree pruning, go back to tree trimming in Shingle Springs, or browse all towns.