Tree removal in Washoe Valley, NV

Washoe Valley lies between Carson City and Reno at about 5,103 feet. Its Census community has about 3,300 residents, about 93% of homes are owner-occupied, and the median home dates from 1979.

At a glance

• About 94% of buildings in the direct wildfire exposure zone
• About 53% of homes built before 1980
• 2024 Davis Fire and 2011 Washoe Drive Fire mapped within about 4 miles
• About 15 miles from our Carson City yard

Why do so many removals here follow a wind storm?

The valley is open to downslope wind off the Carson Range, the wind locals call the Washoe Zephyr. Wind finds the weak points in a tree: a fork with bark trapped inside it, a root plate on one side of a slope, a dead top. Trees damaged this way are sometimes saved by pruning or cabling and sometimes not.

Our guide to preparing trees for downslope winds explains what to have checked before the season.

What do the 2011 and 2024 fires mean for standing trees?

The 2011 Washoe Drive Fire is mapped at 3,178 acres and the 2024 Davis Fire at 5,824 acres. Both centres are within about 4 miles of the community. The USDA Forest Service puts 93.7% of Washoe Valley's buildings in the direct exposure zone and ranks its risk to homes higher than 97.2% of US communities.

After a fire, scorched trees may die over the following seasons, and a fire-killed tree weakens as it stands. Before a fire, the removals that matter are dead trees and trees close enough to carry flame to the house. See defensible space in Washoe Valley.

Big trees on big parcels

More than half the homes were built before 1980 (American Community Survey; a small community, so treat it as approximate). The trees around them are mature, and parcels here tend to have room for a truck. Where a large tree stands over a house or barn, the arborist may call for the crane. Where it stands in the open, the boom truck or a climber is enough.

The short drive helps with heavy equipment

Washoe Valley is one of the closest communities to our yard outside Carson City itself. Bringing the crane, the Bobcat T870 and a dump truck 15 miles is a simpler day than taking them across Reno. That is not a promise about scheduling. It does mean the right machine is rarely far away.

Wood and brush

Everything cut is chipped or hauled unless the estimate says otherwise. On acreage with brush as well as trees, brush mowing can be added to the same estimate.