Tree Service Knowledge Base
Redwood Bark Beetle: What Bay Area Homeowners Should Watch For
The tallest trees on Earth often host a beetle about the size of a grain of rice within their bark. Known as the redwood bark
October 23, 2026
You may rely on your trees to provide shade, boost your property value, and offer additional privacy, but it’s important to understand that they rely on you too. And if you want to enjoy all of the value trees offer, you have to provide them with the care and resources they need to thrive. This means partnering with a team of tree-care professionals who can support your trees and make sure they’re ready to fight off pests and disease, remain structurally sound, and grow at the appropriate rate. Fortunately for those in California’s Central Coast region, finding this kind of tree-care partner is easy: Simply contact the experts at Adney Tree Service!
There is no shortage of tree-care companies operating in California’s Central Coast region, but they’re not all created equally. Many are only interested in making a buck and finishing each job as quickly as possible. These kinds of service providers will rarely be capable of giving your trees the kind of care they need; they may even harm your trees in the process. Instead, you want to choose a high-quality tree-care service provider, who’s led by an ISA-certified arborist and dedicated to giving each tree the care they deserve – like the team at Adney Tree Service.
Unlike some other tree companies, which are essentially only interested in removing trees, Adney Tree Service is a full-service operation that provides all of the tree-care services you may need. From planting your new saplings to removing trees that’ve reached the end of their lifespan, we do it all. Some of the most popular services we provide clients in the Central Coast region are detailed below.
Adding new trees to your property is an exciting project, but to ensure your trees will thrive, you need them planted by arboricultural professionals, like the Adney Tree Service team. We understand the varying needs of different species and the science behind tree installation.
Trees may commonly live for decades or even centuries, but they all eventually die or become hazardous and require removal. When that day comes, our tree-removal experts can help remove the ailing tree safely and efficiently while protecting your property.
The Adney Tree Service team is led by an ISA-certified arborist — something that distinguishes us from the unfortunately common guy-with-a-chainsaw outfits in our area. And it means that we can provide the kind of advice, assessments, and diagnostic services needed to keep your trees healthy and vibrant.
Whether you need a group of small trees trimmed to restore sidewalk access or you have a massive eucalyptus that needs structural pruning to remain safe, we can help. Equipped with the necessary tools, equipment, and knowledge, our tree-care experts will prune or trim your trees with precision.
Cabling and bracing are techniques arborists can use to support weak branch unions, keep trees safe, and retain trees that may otherwise require removal. But you can’t get these services from typical tree companies — they’re only available from arborist-led teams, like the crew at Adney Tree Service.
Wildfires are always a potential threat in the Central Coast region of California, but by maintaining clear, defensible spaces near structures, you can help protect your structures and property. Adney Tree Service can help in this regard and ensure you’re prepared for fire season.
People tend to focus on the way trees grow in height, but most species also expand horizontally with time, potentially resulting in reduced access or maintenance issues. But our tree-trimming professionals can quickly and efficiently trim your trees to provide proper clearance.
Unfortunately, trees often fall during inclement weather, and this always seems to occur at inconvenient times, like weekends and the middle of the night. But that’s no problem when you contact the pros at Adney Tree Service — we offer emergency tree service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
It’s important to take action at the first sign of trouble to give your trees the best chance of thriving. But unfortunately, homeowners and commercial property managers are often unfamiliar with the clues that indicate trouble is brewing. If you notice any of the following signs or symptoms, contact the professionals at Adney Tree Service immediately to arrange for an on-site assessment.
Cracked trunks or branches represent an emergency situation, as they indicate that a tree is already actively failing. But it’s important to note that cracked wood does not always necessitate complete tree removal; we may be able to use cabling or bracing techniques to protect the tree and keep it safe.
Large hollows or cavities may provide a bit of charm to some trees, but they’re frequently associated with significant decay and structural instability. You’ll need a certified arborist to assess the tree to determine if it is likely stable or requires some type of mitigation.
Mushrooms and conks that are attached to a tree’s trunk, branches, or roots signify the presence of fungal growth and internal decay. Unfortunately, this kind of issue is rarely treatable, so you’ll need to contact a certified arborist to determine if the tree requires removal.
When the soil surrounding a tree’s trunk starts lifting or rising above grade, it indicates that the roots or soil are failing. This is an immediate safety hazard, which should prompt you to keep the area clear and contact an arborist for an immediate assessment.
At times, trees may naturally lean or grow at an angle, and they often do so while competing with other trees for sunlight. However, when a tree suddenly begins leaning more than it has, it can indicate serious instability, which will often necessitate removal.
Trees naturally shed branches from time to time, but when trees drop large branches (or a large number of branches over a short period of time), it can indicate problems with pests, disease, or decay. Such trees are often hazardous and should be inspected immediately by a certified arborist.
Dying branches in a tree’s canopy can indicate a variety of problems, ranging from diseases to insect infestations to poor airflow. This doesn’t always indicate that a tree is in serious jeopardy, but you’ll need to have it evaluated by a certified arborist to know for sure.
Most trees can survive minor insect infestations, but by the time pest attacks become noticeable, the tree may be in danger. So, contact the professionals at Adney Tree Service anytime you see insects or signs of insect activity (such as boreholes or frass) on your trees.
Many foliar tree diseases are somewhat self-limiting and won’t seriously affect the long-term health of a tree. However, there are exceptions, and even relatively harmless leaf diseases can cause problems if they recur over several years, making it wise to have them assessed by an arborist.
Trees are remarkably resilient organisms that’ve evolved to thrive in natural habitats and withstand things like severe weather, pest attacks, and other threats. Some have even adapted to periodic wildfires by developing thick bark and cones that don’t even open until exposed to high temperatures.
But the modern Central Coast region now differs from its natural state in many ways. Our soils are compacted and devoid of many important nutrients. Non-native turf grasses compete with trees for soil moisture. Toxic compounds pollute our air and water. And all of this means that trees require some help to survive in the altered landscape.
The professionals at Adney Tree Service understand these factors and know how to provide your trees with the support they need. From selecting new trees that can thrive on high-traffic commercial properties to pruning trees in a manner that’s appropriate for residential lots, we can provide the services your trees require.
Every property, job, and tree is unique, so we devise a custom tree-service plan for every client we help. However, we’ve developed a relatively consistent process over the years that helps ensure we provide the kind of service you deserve.
Contact us today to see the Adney Tree Service process in action!
We understand that you have a number of choices when it comes to tree service in the Central Coast area. That’s why we always strive to go above and beyond and establish ourselves as the clear choice for property managers and homeowners in the region.
A few of the things that help distinguish us from the competition include:
Our team is led by an ISA-certified arborist, ensuring that we have the training, skill, and expertise to provide artisan-caliber tree-care services.
We have a deep understanding of California’s native tree species, as well as the ornamental and exotic species commonly planted in the Central Coast region.
We have a proven track record of success stretching back over a decade, as well as a litany of positive ratings and reviews from former clients.
We are a full-service tree care team that offers all the services you need, eliminating the need for you to hire multiple tree-care companies.
We’re licensed by the state of California and fully insured, so that you can rest assured that you are working with professionals and fully protected.
Adney Tree Service has been proudly serving California’s Central Coast region for more than a decade. Whether you’re in Santa Cruz, Aptos, or anywhere in between, we make it easy to get the artisan-caliber tree-care services you need.
Still have questions about the tree services we offer? We’ve rounded up some of the most common questions our clients have and answered them below.
The tallest trees on Earth often host a beetle about the size of a grain of rice within their bark. Known as the redwood bark
A tree can be gone for years while the fungus that killed it is still alive underground. Armillaria is a great example. This potentially lethal
Invasive shothole borers are no longer just a Southern California problem. In September 2025, officials confirmed the beetles in two trees in the Tannery area
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