A collection of trusted references for homeowners, land managers, and anyone curious about trees, wildfire safety, and oak woodland ecology in El Dorado County. Each link opens the organization's own website.
These are the same references I cite inside my own reports: University of California extension science, USDA Forest Service field guides, state fire authorities, and the professional bodies that set arboricultural standards. If a claim on this site traces to a source, it is one of these, which is also a fair test to apply to anyone giving you tree advice.
A suggestion on using them: start with UC IPM when the question is a pest or disease, the CAL FIRE and Fire Safe Council material when it is defensible space, and the UC Oaks pages for anything involving a native oak. Primary sources age better than search results, and much better than AI summaries of search results, which is exactly why this page exists.
Professional Arboriculture
- International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)The global professional body for arborists and the source of the Board Certified Master Arborist and TRAQ credentials I hold.
- TreesAreGoodISA's consumer site, with tree care basics and a directory to find a credentialed arborist near you.
- ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)The standardized tree risk assessment system I use, explained by ISA.
- Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)Industry association that develops the ANSI A300 standards for tree care operations, which my recommendations follow. Tree care safety is covered by the separate ANSI Z133 standard.
Wildfire Safety and Defensible Space
- Ready for Wildfire (CAL FIRE)CAL FIRE's homeowner guide to preparing your property and creating defensible space.
- CAL FIRE Defensible SpaceWhat the 100 foot defensible space requirement looks like, broken down zone by zone.
- CAL FIREThe California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, for fire conditions, laws, and preparedness resources.
- El Dorado County Fire Safe CouncilLocal nonprofit offering chipping, defensible space, and hazardous tree assistance to El Dorado County residents.
Oak Woodland Science and Stewardship
- UC Oaks, Oak Woodland ManagementUniversity of California's research based guidance on the ecology and care of California's oak woodlands.
- Living Among the Oaks (UC ANR)A free landowner guide to protecting and keeping native oaks healthy. Download from the UC ANR catalog.
- How to Grow California Oaks (UC Oaks)Practical steps for regenerating native oaks from acorns and seedlings.
- California Oak Mortality Task Force, Sudden Oak DeathThe authority on Sudden Oak Death, its spread, and how to protect oaks from Phytophthora ramorum.
Tree Pests and Forest Health
- UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management (UC IPM)University of California pest notes on the insects and diseases that affect trees, with management guidance.
- USDA Forest ServiceFederal forest health research and information on forest insects and diseases.
Mushrooms and Fungi
- iNaturalist, Fungi Observations and Community IDLog your mushroom and fungi sightings and get community help identifying them. A good first step before you worry about a fungus on your tree.
Permits and Local Government
- El Dorado County Planning and BuildingThe county department that administers the Oak Resources Conservation Ordinance and issues grading and building permits.
Have a Tree Question?
If you have a tree you are concerned about, do not rely on internet searches alone. Contact me directly for a professional assessment. Call or text (530) 391-6100.