The Urban Arborist — Attraction in San Francisco

Updated 7/22

Sometimes life really jacks things up for businesses. My experience with Urban Arborist was frustrating, but Josef reached out in early June to talk through events from my perspective. My project lead was new and he had personal stuff going on. I get that. I have no doubt it will all be made right. We caught them in a bad time and it’s being made better for everyone. I’ll get new trees, and I’ll recommend Josef’s services.

After reading great reviews here, google, and nextdoor I called for an estimate. The office manager is a horror show. Rude from the jump (and working with them worsened). A—- came out and did a walk through with me. We wanted a large olive trimmed back as well as a couple of camélia trees and some fruit trees. I also noted two other bushes we wanted pulled. We’d recently had landscaping done and decided the two bushes didn’t work for us. She gave me good information about watering the new fruit trees and how to keep them cleaned up for the season.

The trimmings are fine. They left a huge limb on the camélia that is unsightly. Maybe it’s good for the tree, but it’s ugly as heck. The olive tree looks fine but not as clean as I thought it would be. I couldn’t tell if they trimmed one of the fruit trees (the plum).

The kicker? They chopped two new bushes — a manzanita and a madrone — and left the two they were supposed to remove. I called and emailed and finally got to the office manager who was awful. I got a text from A — and have had to follow up several times regarding replacements. The last exchange was April 16 when she said she was looking for good replacements and would get back to me. No thanks. We’ll work with another company from now on. I would never...

I met with 12 arborists before finding Urban Arborist, and I’m so glad I did. Mark and his crew are absolute pros. Now that our project is complete, I can confidently say they’ll be my go-to for any future tree removal or pruning.

Our project was tough—a huge, termite-infested tree overhanging two neighbors’ properties with only access through the house. While others suggested risky or pricey options (like a crane over the house) or couldn’t guarantee our deck would be undamaged, Mark carefully inspected the tree, explained how his team would safely approach the removal, and gave me confidence they could get it done without incident. He also provided the most detailed—and accurate—quote I received, and even offered thoughtful advice on how to work smoothly with neighbors.

What really sets Urban Arborist apart: • Clear, detailed planning and communication (worlds apart from the others!) • Equipment that fits tight spaces without damage • Experience with tricky removals where access is only through the home • Professionalism with insurance and paperwork • A fair, competitive price

The crew—Cipriano, Pedro, and Robert—worked hard, protected the deck, cleaned up thoroughly, and even set aside a few wood slabs for us to keep. Neighbors were just as impressed as we were.

Mark checked in throughout the day and is not only professional and detail-oriented, but also a genuinely kind person who made the whole process stress-free. Beyond his professionalism, Mark is genuinely a kind and thoughtful person, which made the entire experience that much better.

Urban Arborist exceeded my expectations on every front: professionalism, skill, communication, and care. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for tree...

Certainly! Here’s an improved version of your review:

I’m writing this review a full year after the service, so I could observe how the tree recovered through all seasons. Our liquidambar was previously growing in an irregular shape and was encroaching over our neighbor’s yard. Now, it’s beautifully balanced with the exact oval shape I requested. The tree looks even more attractive than before—previously, its growth was uneven and there were several gaps in the foliage, but now it’s lush and full.

From the initial visit, where I was able to explain my preferences in detail, to the day the team came to do the trimming, everything went smoothly. They listened carefully and worked skillfully around an oak-leaf hydrangea growing directly beneath the tree—which I was anxious to preserve—and did so without any issues. When they finished, the garden was spotless; they cleaned up so thoroughly that not a single leaf remained on the grass.

After experiencing a full cycle of growth and seeing how well the tree has responded, I can confidently say this is a five-star service. I highly...