Iraheta, Alba
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David Bona _ ^
Monday, November 17, 2025 4:29 PM
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City Council Meeting - November 17, 2025 Agenda item 12 RELEVANT_EXPERIENCE_FORM TSK.pdf; RELEVANT_EXPERIENCE_FORM PCTE.pdf; RELEVANT_EXPERIENCE_FORM_WCTS.pdf; UTS Protest Response 2025-IFB-LM-0407 Final Strike through.pdf; UTS Protest_20251002.pdf
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Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I write on behalf of my client, Utility Tree Service, LLC, to express concerns regarding the procedures followed in connection with awarding the Tree Trimming, Vegetation Management and Emergency Services Response contract to Tree Service Kings ("TSK").
Tree trimming and vegetation management are crucial components of delivering safe and reliable electric service, as well as mitigating wildfire risk associated with power lines. Due to the significant safety hazards and dangers posed by high-voltage lines, it is essential that the City retain qualified and experienced vegetation management contractors. That is why the City of Pasadena Water and Power Department requires its contractors to possess the specialized training, experience, and expertise set out in the bid documents.
The bid proposal requires the contractor to have a minimum of five years of experience performing work for governmental agencies or organizations engaged in similar operations, such as private utilities or other entities managing electrical infrastructure and vegetation management. Based on the attached, publicly available documents submitted by TSK, TSK appears to only barely meet the five-year requirement. Moreover, two of the four entries listed on TSK's Relevant Experience Form identify TSK as a subcontractor rather than the prime contractor, and two of the four entries began in May and August of 2025.
The situation appears similar with other bidders. West Coast Tree Service's Relevant Experience Form reflects only one project with the requisite five years' experience. Pacific Coast Tree Experts' Relevant Experience Form does not list any projects as a prime contractor with more than five years' experience; instead, its relevant experience appears to be as a subcontractor to another vegetation management company, not as a prime contractor for a utility. Utility Tree Service, LLC raised these and other concerns in a protest letter dated October 2, 2025.
Given the substantial wildfire risk and the potential for serious injury associated with high-voltage power lines, ensuring that Pasadena Water and Power's contractors meet the experience requirements and maintain robust safety and training programs should be of paramount importance. Utility Tree Service respectfully urges the City Council and Pasadena Water and Power to conduct thorough due diligence on each bidder's work experience, safety record, and training programs before awarding or approving this contract.
Thank you for your attention to this important public safety matter. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like additional information.
David Bona
1 11/17/2025
Item 12
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ONAHUE
ITZGERALD
ATTORNEYS
Representing Innovators for Over 140 Years
Donahue Fitzgerald LLP
1646 N. California Blvd. Suite 250, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Cell: (415)218-4156
Office: (925)953-6361
Important: This email may contain confidential or privileged information. If it is not meant for you, please do not retain, read, copy, or disseminate any part of it, and please immediately notify us.Thank you. 2 RELEVANT EXPERIENCE FORM
Please complete the next five (5) pages to demonstrate experience with projects of similar scope and size to that which is to be performed. This completed form will be submitted with bid.
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Vegetation Management Services for Power Line Clearance 106R1 Project Address/Location city of Los An9eles
Date of Start/Completion of Project 04/03/2020 - Current Contract Description
Utility Vegetation Management services pruning over 300,000 trees in all of LADWP service area. This includes pruning, removal, and emergency services.
Contract Owner Information:
Qv^^f Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Name of Contact Juan Carlos Pelayo
-pjtie Superintendent
Address 606° Sepulveda Blvd, Ste.210, Van Nuys, CA 91411 Phone Number (818) 771-3711 Email [email protected] IJSERJfiCfcBteNi&i
Project Name utility Tree Trimming
Project Address/ Location North valley
2022 - Current Date of Start/Completion of Project
Contract Description
Subcontractor to Mountain F. Enterprise Tree trimming, tree removals, pole grubbing, and ROW clearing in the Oroville, Paradise, Chico, and Nevada County regions.
Contract Owner Information:
Owner Paclflc Gas & Electric / Mountain F. Enterprise
Name of Contact Raul Gomez
-pj^-lg President
Address 95° lron point Rd-' FOIsom. CA 95630
PhoneNumber(530)626-4127^ jl [email protected]
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Project Name utility ve9etation Management
Project Address/ Location citY ofcovina
Date of Start/Completion of Project08/01/25-Current
Contract Description
Subcontractor to Rolling Green, Inc. Utility line clearance services including pruning, removal, and inventory updating.
Contract Owner Information:
Q^^Qf Southern California Edison / Rolling Green, Inc.
Name of Contact chris Eaton
-pj^lg Vice President
Address 401 w- 4th st! san Bernardino, CA 92401
Phone Number (53°) 919-2026 _ ^^ [email protected] Effy^fcAte^L
Project Name Distribution Line Clearance & Brush Removal Project Address/ Location state of Nebraska
Date of Start/Completion of Project 5/19/2025 - Current Contract Description
Utility tree trimming and removals throughout the state of Nebraska on over 600 miles of power lines.
Contract Owner Information:
Owner Nebraska Public Power District
Name of Contact Michael McLaughlin
-Title Distribution Supervisor
Address 120° south Chestnut St, Norfolk, NE 68701
Phone Number (402) 644-3106 _ Email [email protected]
lEroificLNo-S-
Project Name
Project Address/ Locaton.
Date of Start/Completion of Project .
Contract Description
Contract Owner Information:
Owner
Name of Contact
Title
Address
Phone NumberEmail
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE FORM
Please complete the next five (5) pages to demonstrate experience with projects of similar scope and size to that which is to be performed. This completed form will be submitted with bid.
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SCE Vegetation Line Clearing and Hazard Wood/Palm tree removals.
SCE Districts 35-1000 Oaks. District 49-Santa Barbara
Date of Start/Completion of Project 2023 - Present
Contract Description
[Prime Contractor for Southern California Edison.
We currently have 46 line clearing and hazard tree crews working in our 2 SCE awarded Districts Santa Barbara and 1000 Oaks. We will currently trim approx. 50,000 + trees per year and remove approx. 4 ,000 wood and palm trees per year in both districts.
Contract Owner Information:
Owner Southern California Edison
Name of Contact Matt Saddler
-l-itle SCE Manager - Operations T&D - VICO - Vegetation Management Address 1006° Telegraph Rd. Ventura, Ca.93004
Phone Number [email protected]
rroieci NO. 2.
Name UTS/SCE Vegetation Management Line clearing
Project Address/ Location various SCE districts
Date of Start/Completion of Project 2012~ 2023
Contract Description
[Subcontract for Utility Tree Service, LLC (formerly Asplundh Tree Expert Co.) for Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas and Electric, and Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Vegetation Management contracts. • During this time frame we had approx. 60 line clearing routine crews and 15 Hazard/Heavy wood and Palm removal crews. working on the SCE/PG&E/LADWP Vegetation Systems
Contract Owner Information:
Owner SCE/PG&E/LADWP as a sub contractor to UTS
Name of Contact UTS-William Ross
Title Manager UTS "Retired"
Address 18060 Granite Ave Riverside Ca 92508
Phone Number 951-505-9500Email ca'arborist1 @gmail.com
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Name PG&E Vegetation Management
Location various locations through out the PG&E system
Date of Start/Completion of Project 2019 - Present
Contract Description
[Subcontractors for Davey Tree for Pacific Gas and Electric Vegetation Management contract.
We currently have 15 total crews working under Davey Tree as a sub-contractor doing Line clearing and Hazard/Heavy wood and palm removals
Contract Owner Information:
Owner Davey Tree- On the PG&E system
Name of Contact Davey Tree- Jeff McCormick
Title Re9ic)nal vice President
Address Q617 south Vasco Road, Livermore, CA 94550
Phone Number 425^229-1146 _ Email [email protected] •i-rfiar-t- Nn A
Project Name PG&E Vegetation Routine Line Clearing and Heavy/Hazard tree removals Project Address/ Location Grass Valley area of the PG&E System Date of Start/Completion of Project 2019 to Present
Contract Description
Subcontractor to Mountain F Enterprises on the Pacific Gas and Electric Vegetation Management contract We have 7 crews working under Mountain F Enterprises doing Line clearing and hfazard/Heavy tree wood removals.
Contract Owner Information:
Owner Mountain F Enterprises PG&E contract
Name of Contact Rual Gomez
Title Owner/CEO of MFE
Address 950 Iron Point Rd Folsom, Ca 95630
Phone Number 530-919-7930Email [email protected]
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Project Name 1-os Angeles Department of Water & Power Vegetation Management Locaton ^arlous city's/ltems within Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Vegetation Management Date of Start/Completion of Project 2012-2016
Contract Description
Sub Contractors to Davey Tree for Routine Line clearing and wood and palm removal for Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Utility Line Clearing/Vegetation Management contract.
PCTE had Approx. 10 line clearing crews during this time period.
Contract Owner Information:
Owner DaveyTree
Name of Contact aeff McCormick
Title ReQ'onal Vice President
Address 2617 South Vasco Road, Livermore, CA 94550
Phone Number 425-229-1146 Email [email protected]
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE FORM
Please complete the next five (5) pages to demonstrate experience with projects of similar scope and size to that which is to be performed. This completed form will be submitted with bid.
Project Name Hazard Tree Removal and Trim
Project Address/Location 210° NaPa va"eJ° Hwy' NaPa' CA 94558 Date of Start/Completion of Project 02/01/2023 - Ongoing Contract Description
This project addressed the removal and trimming of hazard trees across the Napa State Hospital property.
Services ensured the safety of patients, staff, and visitors by mitigating risks from falling limbs and diseased trees. The work involved specialized equipment and arborist expertise to operate in sensitive institutional environments while preserving landscape integrity.
Contract Owner Information:
Owner Napa State hlospital
Name of Contact Ken woodle
Title Facility Representative
Address 210° NaPa valleJo Hwy, Napa, CA 94558
Phone Number [email protected]
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Name Utility Line Clearance / Vegetation Management
Humboldt County, Mendocino County, Shasta County, Tehama County, Bay Area Date of Stait/Completion of Project 07/01/2020 - Ongoing Contract Description
West Coast Tree Service performed large-scale utility line clearance and vegetation management across multiple Northern California counties. Work included hazard tree removal, trimming, and brush management around transmission and distribution corridors. The project required strict adherence to CPUC safety standards and utility protocols to minimize fire risk and maintain service reliability.
Contract Owner Information:
Owner pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)
Name of Contact Jackson Estes
Title Utility Vegetation Management Contact
Address 593° Grand Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone Number 530-717-0876 Email [email protected]
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Project Name Prevention Tree Maintenance
Project Address/ Location1968 s Lovers Lane' visaha' CA 93292 Date of Start/Completion of Project 07/13/2023 - 10/1 3/2023 Contract Description
This contract involved proactive vegetation management and hazard tree trimming to reduce fire risks across CalFire-managed lands. Services included selective pruning, tree removal, and brush clearing to maintain defensible space and comply with fire prevention regulations. The work ensured public safety, protected infrastructure, and supported CalFire's broader wildfire mitigation strategy.
Contract Owner Information:
Owner ca'Fire
Name of Contact Clay Lyons
Title Fire Prevention Contact
Address 1968 s Lovers Lane, Visalia, CA 93292
Phone Number 559-358-7143^^gjl [email protected]
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Project Name Fuel Reduction Project
Project Address/ Location George J. Hatfield SRA Park
Date of Start/Completion of Project 07/01/2023 - 09/01/2023 Contract Description
West Coast Tree Service delivered comprehensive fuel reduction services at George J. Hatfield SRA Park.
Work included large-scale hazard tree removal, vegetation clearance, and brush thinning to create defensible space within the park. These services improved visitor safety, preserved natural resources, and aligned with California Parks' wildfire prevention and conservation goals.
Contract Owner Information:
Owner California Parks
Name of Contact Nathaniel Wigington
Title Park Representative
Address George J. Hatfield SRA Park
Phone Number [email protected] Bff>J^&yteA
Project Name Tree Maintenance Project
Project Address/ Locaton6900 Airport Blvd, Sacramento, CA 9583 Date of Start/Completion of Project 09/01/2023 - Ongoing Contract Description
This project provided tree maintenance services for the Sacramento County Airport grounds. Crews conducted trimming, hazard tree removal, and ongoing vegetation control to ensure aviation safety and compliance with FAA and county regulations. Work was performed with a focus on minimizing disruptions to airport operations while maintaining landscape health.
Contract Owner Information:
Owner Sacramento County Department of Airports
Name of Contact Sandra Gomez
Title Airport Representative
Address 690° Airport Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95837
Phone Number 916-874-0882Email [email protected]
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WEST COAST TREE SERVICE. INC.
West Coast Tree Service, Inc. has delivered expert tree care for residential and business clients since 2019.
This includes extensive Private Residential Work across California-ranging from routine tree maintenance to emergency removals after storms.
We provide trimming, removals, pruning, and emergency storm response for private properties.
Our team is experienced in both small-scale residential jobs and large commercial site work.
We prioritize safety, property protection, and visual appeal across all projects.
Trusted by homeowners, HOAs, and businesses for reliable and responsive service.
Our proactive maintenance helps clients avoid costly damage and preserve landscape health.•
REFERENCES
Client Name: California High-Speed Rail Authority
Address: 770 L Street, Suite 620-MS2, Sacramento, CA
95814
Phone:916-502-5896
Email: [email protected]
Project Value: 25,000
Type of Work: Tree Removal and Trim
Contact Person: Brenda McKenzie
Project Duration: 04/11/2025 - Ongoing
Client Name: Napa State Hospital
Address: 2100 Napa Vallejo Hwy, Napa, CA 94558
Location of Job: 2100 Napa Vallejo Hwy, Napa, CA 94558
Project Value: $450,000
Type of Work: Hazard Tree Removal and Trim
Contact Person: Ken Woodle
Phone: 707-495-2550
Email: [email protected]
Project Duration: 02/01/2023 - On Going
Client Name: Residential Tree Work
Address: Tulare County, Fresno County, Shasta County,
Tehama County, Mendodno, Marin County, San Francisco
County
Annual Project Value: $10,000,000
Type of Work: Tree Removal, Tree Trim, Stump Grinding,
Tree Planting, Tree Transporting, Traffic Control, Mowing, Palm Tree Trimming, Palm Tree Removal, Emergency Work,
Hazard Tree Work, Fuel Reduction, Preventative
Maintenance
Project Duration: 04/11/2019 - Ongoing
Client Name: CalFire
Address: 1968 S Lovers Lane, Visalia, CA 93292
Location of Job: 1968 S Lovers Lane, Visalia, CA 93292
Project Value: $ 20,000
Type of Work: Prevention Tree Maintenance
Contact Person: Clay Lyons
Phone: 559-358-7143
Email: [email protected]
Project Duration: 07/13/2023 - 10/13/2023
Client Name: California Parks
Address: George J Haaield SRA Park
Location of Job: George J Haaield SRA Park
Project Value: $ 190,000
Type of Work: Fuel Reduction
Contact Person: Nathaniel Wigington
Phone:209-770-0130
Email: [email protected]
Project Duration: 07/01/2023 - 09/01/2023
Client Name: California Prison Industry Authority
Address: 560 E Natoma St., Folsom, CA 95630
Location of Job: 560 E Natoma St, Folsom, CA 95630
Project Value: $ 25,000
Type of Work: Hazard Tree Removal and Trim
Contact Person: Marco Rodriguez
Phone:916-413-9115
Email: [email protected]
Project Duration: 07/01/2023 - 08/01/2024
1 WEST COAST
TREE SERVICE
"'I
West Coast Tree Service
West Coast Tree Service, Inc. has delivered expert tree care for residential and business clients since 2019.
This includes extensive Private Kesidential Work across California—ranging from routine tree maintenance to emergency removals after storms.
We provide trimming, removals, pruning, and emergency storm response for private properties.
Our team is experienced in both small-scale residential jobs and large commercial site work.
We prioritize safety, property protection, and visual appeal across all projects.
Trusted by homeowners, HOAs, and businesses for reliable and responsive service.
Our proactive maintenance helps clients avoid costly damage and preserve landscape health.
References
Client Name: Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)
Address: 5930 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50266
Location of Job: Humboldt County, Mendocino County,
Shasta County, Tehama County, Bay Area
Project Value: $ 20 million
Type of Work: Utility Line Clearance / Vegetation Management Contact Person: Jackson Estes
Phone: 530-717-0876
Email: [email protected]
Project Duration: 07/01 /2020 - On Going
Client Name: CalFire
Address: 1968 S Lovers Lane, Visalia, CA 93292
Location of Job: 1968 S Lovers Lane, Visalia,
CA 93292
Project Value: $20,000
Type of Work: Prevention Tree Maintenance
Contact Person: Clay Lyons
Phone: 559-358-7143
Email: [email protected]
Project Duration: 07/13/2023 - On Going
Client Name: Napa State Hospital
Address: 2100 Napa Vallejo Hwy, Napa, CA 94558
Location ofjob: 2100 NapaVallejo Hwy, Napa, CA 94558
Project Value: $ 450,000
Type of Work: Hazard Tree Removal and Trim
Contact Person: Ken Woodle
Phone: 707-495-2550
Email: [email protected]
Project Duration: 02/01/2023 - On Going
Client Name: California Parks
Address: George J Haaield SRA Park
Location of job: GeorgeJ Haaield SR.A Park
Project Value: $ 190,000
Type of Work: Fuel Reduction
Contact Person: Nathaniel Wigington
Phone:209-770-0130
Email: [email protected]
Project Duration: 07/01/2023 - On Going
Client Name: Sacramento County Department of Airports
Address: 6900 Airport Blvd, Sacramento Ca,95837
Location of Job: 6900 Airport Blvd, Sacramento Ca, 95837 Project Value: $ 50,000
Type of Work: Tree Maintenance
Contact Person: Sandra Gomez
Phone:916-874-0882
Email: [email protected]
Project Duration: 09/01/2023 - On Going
Client Name: California Prison Industry Authority
Address: 560 E Natoma St., Folsom, CA 95630
Location of Job: 560 E Natoma St, Folsom, CA 95630
Project Value: $ 25,000
Type of Work: h-lazard Tree Removal and Trim
Contact Person: Marco Rodriguez
Phone: 916-413-9115
Email: [email protected]
Project Duration: 07/01/2023 - On Going
Phone: (559)736-6994Email: [email protected]: westcoasttreeservice.com ^s%.
9 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
Purchasing Division
Sent via Email: [email protected]
October 27, 2025
Kenneth Landrith
President
Utility Tree Service (UTS)
15335 Fairfield Ranch Rd Suite 250
China Hills, CA 91709
Subject: Response to Protest - Project ID 2025-IFB-LM-0407, Tree Trimming, Vegetation Management, and Emergency Response Services for Power Line Clearance Dear Mr. Landrith,
Please consider this letter a response to the protest for the subject solicitation which closed on September 18, 2025. The protest letter contends that, several bidders provided information that does not meet the City's stated requirements to qualify for an award.
UTS contends Tree Service Kings failed to provide five (5) references, and the bidder proposal in the competitive bid 2025-IFB-LM-0704 lacked required documentation.
City Response: The Invitation for Bid (IFB) Project ID 2025-IFB-LM-0407 listed relevant experience as follows: "Experience must include at least two (2) projects/contracts of comparable scope and size to the services required under this solicitation". Regarding the bidder's proposal from the prior solicitation, the requirements set forth in the 2025-IFB-LW- 0704 competitive bid are not applicable nor considered, as bids were rejected by City Council on July 21, 2025.
UTS contends West Coast Tree Service Kings Inc. did not have a C-49 license at the time of bid closing.
City Response: The IFB, required licenses and submittal checklist sections required a C-49 -Tree and Palm Contractor License; OR C-61/D-49-Tree Service (Limited Specialty) License. Per the State of California Contractors State License Board, West Coast Tree Service Inc. has an active C- 61/D49 license.
UTS contends Pacific Tree Experts listed its own employee as a reference and does not demonstrate adequate relevant experience.
City Response: The bid for Pacific Tree Experts has not been reviewed.
City of Pasadena - Department of Finance
100 N. Garfield Avenue, Room S348
Pasadena, CA 91109(626)744-4355
Response to Protest - Project ID 2025-IFB-LM-0407, Tree Trimming, Vegetation Management and Emergency Response Services for Power Line Clearance October 27, 2025
At the time of this letter, the solicitation is in Evaluation status, and no recommendation has been made for this project. The City intends to continue evaluating the apparent low bidder and the award recommendation will be made in a fair and transparent process and compliance with stated qualifications and requirements set forth in the 2025-IFB-LM-0407 solicitation.
Sincerely,
Erika E. Alvarez
Purchasing Administrator
CC: Vie Erganian, Acting Director of Finance
Jerome Bragg, Project Manager
Antonio Watson, Project Manager
Docusign Envelope ID: E2BOF957-9109-4DAO-80E5-45CDCEBEA8B1 cjre
UTILITYTREESERVICE
October 2, 2025
City of Pasadena
Attn: Purchasing Administrator
100 N.Garfield, Room S348
Pasadena,CA 91109
Re: Formal Protest for 2025-IFB-LM-0407: Tree Trimming, Vegetation Management, and Emergency Response Services for Power Line Clearance
Dear Purchasing Administrator:
I am writing on behalf of UTS to formally protest the recent public bid for tree trimming services, in which Tree Service Kings, Inc. is the apparent low bidder. We believe several bidders provided information that does not meet the City's stated requirements to qualify for an award, which are outlined below:
Tree Service Kings, Inc.: The bidder failed to provide five (5) reference projects in the Relevant Experience Form as required in the competitive bid. Additionally, the bidder's proposal in competitive bid 2025-1 FB-LM-0704 (closed in March 2025) lacked the required documentation for safety programs and training qualifications. Considering the bidder failed to demonstrate suitable qualifications to perform this highly complex work earlier this year, it is highly unlikely they have sufficiently improved their program to meet the City's rigorous safety and technical requirements.
West Coast Tree Service, Inc.: The bidder did not have a C-49 Contractor's License at the time of bid closing as required in the competitive bid.
Pacific Coast Tree Experts: The bidder listed its own current employee as a reference for Project No. 2, which does not allow for an accurate assessment of its past relevant experience. Additionally, the bidder has listed duplicative projects as part of its experience record (working for SCE in the Santa Barbara area). Further, the bidder listed a project ending in 2016, which would be deemed as irrelevant given the significant gap in time to the current IFB. As a result, the bidder has failed to demonstrate adequate relevant experience in line with the City's requirements.
We respectfully request a thorough review of the bid documents received by these bidders to determine their compliance with the City's IFB requirements. UTS is committed to providing high- quality tree trimming services and believes that a fair and transparent process will reflect our capabilities accurately.
15335 Fairfield Ranch Rd Suite #250, China Hills, CA 91709 T (909) 606-3224 W http://www.utilitytreeservice.com/
Docusign Envelope ID: E2BOF957-9109-4DAO-80E5-45CDCEBEA8B1
UTILITYTREESERVICE
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your prompt response and resolution of this protest.
Sincerely,
•Signed by:
^•UftJAJ^ ilUA>j^\^
Kenneth Landrith
President
15335 Fairfield Ranch Rd Suite #250, China Hills, CA 91709 T (909) 606-3224 W http://www.utilitytreeservice.com/