About Foothill Forest Care
Rooted in Placerville, Foothill Forest Care is your trusted local tree service and partner; protecting homes from wildfire, preserving oak woodlands, and keeping the Sierra Foothills thriving for generations.
Caring for Trees, Neighbors & Our Community
About Us
Foothill Forest Care is a locally owned tree care company based in Placerville, California, serving El Dorado County and the surrounding Sierra Foothills. As ISA-Certified Arborists, we provide science-based tree care that protects your trees, your property, and your peace of mind.
An ISA Certified Arborist is a trained tree care professional who has met strict experience requirements and passed a comprehensive examination covering tree biology, risk assessment, proper pruning, and industry standards. Certification through the International Society of Arboriculture means your trees are evaluated by someone with verified knowledge — not guesswork. We follow nationally recognized standards, including ANSI A300, to ensure safe, responsible, and defensible work.
We offer a full range of services tailored to the Sierra Foothills, including:
Arborist Reports – professional documentation for oak tree removal permits, construction projects, and county compliance.
Tree Risk Assessments – using ISA TRAQ standards to identify hazard trees and prevent storm or fire damage.
Tree Health & Pest Treatments – protecting California oaks, pines, cedars, and native species from disease, insects, and soil stress.
Defensible Space & Wildfire Safety Work – creating fire-safe landscapes and home protection zones following California wildfire regulations.
Tree Management Plans – tree inventories, mapping, and long-term forest management for homeowners, HOAs, ranches, and large properties.
We understand Sierra Foothill trees, soils, and fire conditions because we live and work here. Every recommendation we make is grounded in safety, compliance, and the long-term health of your landscape.
Whether you need permit documentation, defensible space work, or proactive tree care, our goal is simple: protect your home, preserve your trees, and provide clear, dependable guidance every step of the way.
Licensed Beyond Typical Tree Services
Foothill Forest Care is more than a standard tree service. In addition to ISA Certified Arborists and TRAQ qualification, we hold an active California C-27 Landscaping Contractor License (CSLB #1139827).
This license allows us to legally plant and install trees as part of:
• Mitigation and replacement requirements
• Construction and grading projects
• Oak preservation compliance
• HOA and development approvals
• Restoration after removal or storm damage
Many tree companies can remove a tree. Fewer are properly licensed to install one.
While we do not offer general landscaping services such as lawn maintenance, irrigation installation, or hardscape construction, our C-27 license ensures that any tree installation or replacement work is completed legally, professionally, and in accordance with California contractor standards.
For projects that require both arborist expertise and compliant installation, clients benefit from working with a single qualified team.
35
Decades of combined experience serving California foothill communities.
5K
Satisfied clients
12K
Project completed
Our Process
Improving Our Community With Each Property
1. Consult
Our first step is a tree and property walkthrough, giving you clear insight into risks and care options.
2. Quote
Next, we provide a clear quote for your immediate needs and, if helpful, suggest options for future care so you can plan ahead and keep your trees thriving for years to come.
3. Execute
Finally, our skilled crew carries out the work with safety, precision, and care; treating your property as if it were our own.
Our Mission
At Foothill Forest Care, we provide trusted tree care, wildfire prevention, and tree management services in Placerville, CA, and surrounding foothill communities. Our goal is simple: protect homes, preserve oak woodlands, and keep our community safe. Every tree we care for supports healthier forests, reduced wildfire risk, and sustainable landscapes for today and future generations.
With over 35 years of experience, we bring certified arborist expertise and a neighborly approach to helping homeowners, land managers, and communities maintain safe, resilient trees. Our services include pruning, hazard reduction, plant health care, wildfire preparedness, and post-fire restoration, all guided by ISA standards.
We believe well-managed trees and forests add lasting beauty, safety, and value to every property. By empowering clients with informed decisions, we create fire-resilient landscapes, protect people and property, and support the long-term health of the Sierra Foothills.
Our Vision
Our vision is a Sierra Foothills where people and trees thrive together. We strive for landscapes that are safe, resilient, and beautiful—where wildfire risk is reduced, oak woodlands are preserved, and defensible space is maintained. By combining science-based arboriculture with a deep respect for nature and community, Foothill Forest Care empowers clients to enjoy their trees confidently, knowing risks are managed.
We imagine a future where trees are cared for sustainably, homes are protected, and both people and trees coexist in balance across Placerville, El Dorado County, and nearby Sierra foothill communities including Amador, Calaveras, Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties.
The Team
Meet Our Team
Our leadership and crew bring certified arborist expertise, local knowledge, and hands-on experience to every project.
Chad Dykstra
Co-Founder.
ISA Certified Arborist WE-5893AISA • TRAQ Qualified • ASCA Member
Member, American Society of Consulting Arborists
Specialties
• Tree Risk Assessment (TRAQ)
• Arborist Consulting & Permit Documentation
• Expert Witness & Litigation Support
• Tree Valuation
• Wildfire Mitigation Planning
• Structural Pruning & ANSI Standards Oversight
Caroline Bartz
Co-Founder.
ISA Certified Arborist WE-14208A
Specialties
• Tree Risk Assessment (TRAQ)
• Tree Health Diagnostics
• Pruning & Structural Correction
• Plant Health Care
• Community & HOA Tree Management
• Urban Tree Assessment
Bren Petersen
Apprentice Arborist & Plant Health Care Technician
FAQs: Common questions homeowners ask about Foothill Forest Care, our services, and our approach to tree care in the Sierra Foothills.
Where is Foothill Forest Care based, and what areas do you serve?
Foothill Forest Care is locally owned and operated in Placerville, California. We serve homeowners, landowners, and communities throughout El Dorado County and surrounding Sierra Foothill regions, including nearby counties and rural properties.
Is Foothill Forest Care locally owned and operated?
Yes. Foothill Forest Care is a locally owned company with deep roots in the Sierra Foothills. Our team lives and works in the same communities we serve, which allows us to provide region-specific guidance based on local tree species, terrain, and wildfire conditions.
What qualifications do your arborists have?
Our work is led by ISA Certified Arborists with specialized training in tree risk assessment, plant health care, wildfire mitigation, and sustainable tree management. All recommendations follow ISA standards and science-based arboriculture practices.
What types of services does Foothill Forest Care provide?
We offer a full range of residential and land-based tree services, including arborist reports, tree risk assessments, tree health and pest treatments, defensible space and wildfire safety work, and long-term tree management plans tailored to foothill properties.
How is Foothill Forest Care different from other tree service companies?
We actually show up. We also take an arborist-led, stewardship-focused approach rather than a one-size-fits-all service model. Our recommendations are based on site conditions, long-term tree health, and community safety, not just short-term fixes.
Do you work with large properties, HOAs, or rural landowners?
Yes. In addition to residential homeowners, we work with HOAs, ranches, large acreage properties, and land managers who need thoughtful, long-term tree and forest care planning.
What is Foothill Forest Care’s mission?
Our mission is to protect homes, preserve oak woodlands and forests, and support resilient landscapes throughout the Sierra Foothills. We believe well-managed trees improve safety, environmental health, and quality of life for future generations.