Tree Care in Palo Alto, CA

If you're looking at a mature tree in your Palo Alto yard, you're likely looking at a decision made in the 1960s. Builders back then often chose fast-growing species for quick shade and curb appeal, without considering the long-term consequences for a home's foundation or safety. Two classic examples are the silver maple, prized for its rapid growth but notorious for weak wood and aggressive surface roots that can damage walkways, and the Bradford pear, which offers beautiful spring blossoms but is structurally guaranteed to split apart after 15 to 20 years. These trees are now entering their final decades, and the external signs of stress you see today, like cracks or dead branches, often started as internal problems years ago.