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Tree Removal in Fair Play
Tree work near the vineyards of Fair Play? Call us now at (530) 441-2256. Tell us about the tree, the cabin or the back lot, and a local pro gets lined up.
Fair Play in a few lines
Fair Play is 4.5 miles northeast of Aukum and 2,329 feet up. Miners worked here in the 1850s, and farming took over by the 1880s. Its cemetery remains in use today. A post office ran in town from 1860 to 1944.
Wine is the draw today. The Fair Play AVA, a recognized grape-growing area, dates to 2001. Wikipedia counts well over 20 properties with vineyards, wineries and small places to stay.
Trees and tourists
A wine area has guests. Cabins and tasting rooms mean cars, kids and strangers walking the grounds. A dead limb over a parking spot is a bigger deal than one over a back field.
Here's what owners of rentals and tasting rooms should check:
- Dead limbs over parking, patios and walkways.
- Leaning trees near guest cabins.
- Brush against buildings.
- A clear path for a fire truck to turn around.
Think about timing, too. Tree work is noisy and messy. Book it for a weekday, or for the quiet season, when guests are fewer.
Old farm ground, old trees
Fair Play went from mining to farming, so some lots have old fruit trees, fence-line oaks and leftover orchard rows. Tell the pro which trees you want to keep. A tree that shaded a farmhouse for a century may be worth saving. A dead one is not.
Ask the pro if a tree is dead or only bare. In late winter, a bare oak and a dead oak look the same. A pro can check the twigs.
Help from the fire district
Pioneer Fire Protection District offers chipping, plus Defensible Space Assistance for older residents, veterans and low-income households. Its page says both were open and accepting applications. Call if that fits you.
Rows, fences and falling wood
Where trees meet vines, a falling limb can ruin a whole row. Ask the pro how the tree will land. A pro may rig the tree with ropes to steer it, or drop it in pieces. That takes longer, and it costs more, but it's cheaper than replanting vines.
Fences are the other worry. Old wire fences run through oaks and pines in this part of the county. A tree that has grown around the wire can't be cut like a clean trunk. Tell the pro about any fence line before the visit.
If you rent out cabins, plan the work around your guests. Keep them clear of the work zone, and block off paths that run under a tree being cut.
What it costs here
| What you need | What the guides list |
|---|---|
| Tree up to 30 feet tall | $200 to $500 |
| Tree 30 to 60 feet tall | $500 to $1,500 |
| An oak tree | $200 to $2,000 |
| Grinding one stump | $120 to $400 |
Numbers from HomeGuide's tree removal and stump grinding pages (Feb 2026 and Dec 2025), plus Angi and This Old House (2026).
Oak removal runs $200 to $2,000 in both the Angi and This Old House guides. Angi adds that some states forbid removing heritage trees, so ask about oak rules. See our permits page.
Fair Play questions
Do you serve the winery roads?
Yes. Tell us the road and the nearest winery. Call (530) 441-2256.
Can the work wait until after harvest?
Often. Say so when you call. If a tree is dead, though, don't wait too long.
Is there an oak rule?
Possibly. Ask the county before cutting a live oak.
Nearby
Neighbors are Somerset, Mount Aukum and Grizzly Flats. Start over at Camino if you want the basics.