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Tree Removal Around Jenkinson Lake
A cabin or lot by Jenkinson Lake with a bad tree? Call (530) 454-8845. We'll match you with a pro and book a visit.
Jenkinson Lake is a reservoir near Pollock Pines. Homes, cabins and campsites ring it. Each has trees close by.
Call (530) 454-8845or use the short estimate form
About the lake
Jenkinson Lake is named for Walter E. Jenkinson, the manager of the El Dorado Irrigation District. It has two parts, an upper lake and a lower lake. The lower lake is about eight times bigger than the upper one.
People come for boating, camping, fishing, horseback riding and hiking. All of that happens under trees. That's the good part. The risky part is the dead ones.
The Caldor scars
In early August 2021, the Caldor Fire was heading toward the lake. Local authorities later said the fire's intense heat and closeness to the lake affected the water quality. The pine trees and bushes that once surrounded parts of the lake were destroyed.
That leaves dead trees standing along some stretches. Burned snags can stand for years and then drop.
Look along the shoreline and the roads in. If you see gray, bare trunks near a cabin, a dock or a parking spot, get them looked at.
Whose tree is it?
Not every tree near the lake may be on your lot. If the tree is on your own land, you can hire a pro. If you're not sure, find out who owns it first.
Have your parcel map in hand when you call. It saves a lot of guessing.
Cabins and shoreline lots
Cabins close to the water have their own tree problems:
- Trees leaning over the water, with roots washed out.
- Pines over decks and docks.
- Dead trees near fire pits and propane tanks.
- Needles stacked on roofs and in gutters.
- Snow-heavy limbs over parking areas.
If a creek or lake edge runs through your property, the Fire Safe Council says you possibly need special permission to work on the vegetation there. Ask the California Department of Fish and Wildlife before the pro starts.
What it costs
Tree work near water can cost more. Trucks may not get close, and pieces have to be lowered by hand.
| What | Usual price | Where from |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-size, 30 to 60 ft | $450 to $1,200 | This Old House |
| Tall, 60 to 100 ft | $900 to $1,200 | Fixr |
| Any pine | $250 to $1,500 | This Old House |
| Emergency job | up to $5,000 | This Old House |
Prices above come from This Old House (March 2026) and Fixr (January 2025). They are national numbers, not quotes.
Camping season and dead trees
Campers pitch tents under big trees. Cabin owners park under them. If a tree near a fire ring or a picnic table is dead, it's a risk for everybody.
- Walk the camp or yard with a notebook.
- Look up at every large limb.
- Check the ground for fallen twigs and bark. That's a sign something is dropping.
- Keep a clear 10 feet around any propane tank, down to bare dirt, says the Fire Safe Council.
Fall, after the summer crowds leave, is a good time to schedule work. Roads are open and the ground is firm.
Lake area questions
Can I cut a tree on the shore?
Maybe. It depends on who owns the land and how close it is to the water. Ask first.
My cabin is only used in summer. Should I worry?
Yes. Dead trees fall in winter, when no one is there. Have them checked in fall.
Do you cover the whole lake?
We cover the area around it. Call and tell us which side.
What if my dead tree is near the water?
Tell the pro. Work near the shore may need more planning, and the Fire Safe Council says to ask Fish and Wildlife first if a stream or the lake edge is involved.
Nearby
See Sly Park, Sierra Springs and Pollock Pines. Need a dead pine gone? Read beetle-killed tree removal.