Defensible Space

Living in the Forest Without Losing it and why Zone 0 Matters

Most homeowners in the Truckee and Tahoe region want the same thing: a property that’s protected from wildfire without looking like a clearcut. Research shows that the difference usually comes down to understanding zone 0. This is the 0-5 foot buffer immediately around your home, and it’s where most fires actually make contact with a structure. Get this zone right and you increase your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire by 50%.

May 29, 2026

Tree Care

How to Recognize Signs of Bark Beetles in Your Trees

Bark beetles in Truckee and the Lake Tahoe region are one of the most destructive forces facing Sierra Nevada forests, and they’re nearly invisible until the damage is done. Every season we see the consequences firsthand: Jeffrey pines, white firs, red firs, and lodgepole pines that looked healthy in spring

April 22, 2026

Moving logs off a jobsite with a mini skid steer.

Tree Removal

How Much Does It Cost to Cut Down a Tree?

After years working in the tree service industry, one thing has become crystal clear: no two trees are the same. We’ve handled everything from a quick single-cut removal to puzzling through “how on earth do we get that thing down safely?” Every job is unique — but there are consistent

March 18, 2026

tree removal near home. creating defensible space zone

Tree Care

Understanding Defensible Space Zones in the Truckee–Tahoe Region

Wildfire is a constant concern for communities throughout the Sierra Nevada, especially in areas like Truckee and Lake Tahoe where homes sit close to forests and natural landscapes. One of the most effective ways to protect structures and improve wildfire safety is by creating defensible space zones around homes and

February 27, 2026

tree removal defensible space. dead tree removal in Truckee

Press

Interview With Alpen Tree Experts

Running a business in Truckee allows me to call Truckee my home. Truckee wouldn’t be the same without the sweet, earthy smell of pine trees in the summer. When you own a house, or live in Truckee, your backyard becomes is filled with this lovely smell of pines…however, it also

January 8, 2026

Our Tree Service Blog

Living in the Forest Without Losing it and why Zone 0 Matters

How to Recognize Signs of Bark Beetles in Your Trees

How Much Does It Cost to Cut Down a Tree?

Understanding Defensible Space Zones in the Truckee–Tahoe Region

Interview With Alpen Tree Experts