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Eucalyptus trees are a familiar sight around the Sacramento region — tall gums along older roads, ranch properties, and big backyard trees planted decades ago. They grow fast and can get very large, which is part of why homeowners eventually ask whether one should come out. This guide covers the reasons people remove eucalyptus, the warning signs worth having checked, what makes these trees harder (and sometimes more expensive) to take down, permit rules around Sacramento, and how to keep the stump from sprouting back.
None of this means every eucalyptus needs to go. A healthy, well-placed tree can be managed with good pruning. If you're on the fence, see tree removal vs. trimming: how to decide.
According to UC IPM – Eucalyptus Longhorned Borers, holes in the bark and stains or oozing liquid on limbs or the trunk are common symptoms of longhorned borer damage; foliage can discolor and wilt, and limbs can die back. In heavy infestations, larvae feeding under the bark can girdle the trunk, leaving a thin canopy with wilted or dry leaves and cracked bark packed with excrement — and UC IPM says infested trees usually die within a few weeks of girdling.
Other red flags are the same as for any large tree:
An on-site assessment by an ISA Certified Arborist is more reliable than a guess from the ground. You can find one through ISA's Find an Arborist directory.
UC IPM explains that longhorned borers usually attack stressed or damaged trees and leave vigorous, appropriately watered trees alone — but many eucalyptus in California are seasonally water stressed in hot summers. Species from wetter parts of Australia are especially susceptible during prolonged dry periods. Its guidance includes:
Pesticides generally aren't effective against these borers, according to UC IPM — so tree care and wood handling matter most.
Most Sacramento-area tree ordinances focus on native oaks, but several also protect large trees of any species — and that's where eucalyptus can be caught. Examples from our permit guides:
Other cities: City of Sacramento · unincorporated Sacramento County · Elk Grove · Roseville · Folsom · Citrus Heights · Rancho Cordova · West Sacramento · Davis. If the tree is at a rental or in an HOA, get written approval from the owner or association first — see tree removal in an HOA.
Eucalyptus commonly resprouts from the base after it's cut; the UC Weed Research & Information Center notes that resprouts are common after treatment, and UC IPM notes resprouting can occur from the base even after borers kill a tree. Practical options:
UC IPM calls eucalyptus firewood and dead or dying trees the borers' primary breeding sites. Fresh wood stays attractive to egg-laying beetles until it dries. If you keep logs, cutting, splitting, and especially removing the bark speeds drying. Infested wood can be chipped (UC IPM says chipped eucalyptus makes excellent mulch), buried, or solarized — sealed under thick (10 mil) clear, UV-resistant plastic in a sunny spot for several months. Many homeowners simply ask the contractor to haul everything away.
We didn't find a reliable published price specific to eucalyptus, so the best guide is height. These are national published ranges (estimates, not quotes) used across this site; Sacramento-area labor often runs above national averages:
| Height | Angi | HomeGuide |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 ft | $150–$450 | $200–$500 |
| 30–60 ft | $450–$1,200 | $500–$1,500 |
| 60–80 ft | $800–$1,500 | $850–$2,000 |
| Over 80 ft | $1,000–$2,000 | $1,200–$2,500+ |
Angi puts the national average around $750 (most jobs $200–$2,000, with large or hazardous removals up to about $10,000), and HomeGuide lists an $850 average. Add-ons commonly priced separately include stump removal (Angi: around $100–$150 per stump), cleanup and haul-off (about $70–$95), and a permit where required (around $60–$150). Crane work, power-line proximity, and emergency calls raise the price. More detail: tree removal cost in Sacramento.
Tree removal and most pruning of trees 15 feet or taller is contractor work that generally requires a CSLB license under Business and Professions Code § 7026.1 (C-49 Tree and Palm Contractor). Get at least two or three written quotes that state exactly what's included — removal, stump grinding, sprout control, wood and chip haul-off, and cleanup. In spring and summer, ask the crew to check for active nests before cutting (Fish and Game Code § 3503). See how to hire a tree service and how to prepare for removal day.
Usually not because of the species — eucalyptus isn't a native oak — but size rules can apply. In the City of Sacramento, any tree 32 inches or more in diameter on a single-family or duplex lot is protected, and Rancho Cordova protects any tree 24 inches or more on residential property. City street trees and trees tied to a development approval can also be protected. Check your city or county before cutting.
We didn't find a reliable published eucalyptus-specific price, so use height as a guide. National published ranges (Angi and HomeGuide) run about $150–$500 under 30 ft, $450–$1,500 for 30–60 ft, $800–$2,000 for 60–80 ft, and $1,000–$2,500 or more over 80 ft. Large eucalyptus near a house often need rigging or a crane, which raises the price. Get written quotes.
It can. Eucalyptus commonly resprouts from the base or stump after cutting. Grinding the stump, or having a licensed contractor treat it, and cutting any sprouts early helps prevent regrowth. Ask each contractor how they handle resprouts.
UC IPM notes that freshly cut eucalyptus and firewood piles are the main breeding sites for eucalyptus longhorned borers. If you keep wood, cut, split, and remove the bark to speed drying, or solarize it under sealed clear plastic for several months. Infested wood can be chipped; chipped eucalyptus makes good mulch.
UC IPM advises removing infested trees and branches right away, but doing other pruning in December and January, when adult borers aren't present. It also suggests spreading heavy limb removal over several years.
We don't do tree work ourselves. Tell us about your tree and we'll connect you with independent local tree professionals so you can compare written quotes. Always verify the contractor's license and insurance at cslb.ca.gov.
Tree removal costs by area: Sacramento · Elk Grove · Roseville · Folsom · Citrus Heights · Rancho Cordova · Carmichael · West Sacramento · Davis · Natomas · Antelope · Fair Oaks
More guides: Stump grinding cost · Emergency/storm removal · Tree trimming cost · Palm tree removal · Tree permits · Tree fell on house: insurance · Neighbor & boundary trees · Oak tree removal · Dead/hazardous trees · Trees near power lines · Roots, sewers & foundations · Elk Grove permits · Roseville permits · Folsom permits · Citrus Heights permits · Rancho Cordova permits · Sacramento County permits · Davis permits · West Sacramento permits · Hiring a tree service · After a storm · Pine tree removal · When to trim · Defensible space · Landlords, tenants & HOAs · Trees & solar panels · Remove or trim? · Preparing for removal day · Eucalyptus removal · Crane removal cost · Tree removal in an HOA