Tree service in San Marcos, in short
Send the form and a local tree pro calls you back. We found no city permit for removing a tree at an existing home: San Marcos's tree rules are written for new development, so confirm with Planning before a large tree comes down. For oaks, the city's guidance is no pruning from February 1 through June 30.
City tree rules
San Marcos sits in four counties: Hays, Caldwell, Guadalupe and Comal (city stormwater program). Its new Development Code took effect June 16, 2026 (City: Codes & Ordinances).
- Who the tree rules cover: "all new development within the City and not within the ETJ" (Sec. 6.4.2.1). On those projects a protected tree is 9 to 23 inches across and a heritage tree 24 inches or more.
- Trees the city wants kept: "Native oaks, elms, sycamore, bald cypress, madrone, and pecan trees are particularly to be preserved."
- At an existing home: we found no home tree-removal permit, but the code doesn't say outright that homes are exempt. Ask Planning first: 512-393-8230 (City: Permits).
Source: San Marcos Development Code (PDF).
Oaks and oak wilt in San Marcos
The city's dates: avoid pruning or wounding oaks "February 1 through June 30" (city pruning guidelines). The Texas A&M Forest Service says to paint every fresh oak wound and stump right away, all year (texasoakwilt.org), and the city's Development Code sets a clock on it: spray oak wounds with paint within 20 minutes of the cut. For high cuts, the city posts how to make a pole paint sprayer.
San Marcos has an Urban Forester who runs its Community Forestry Program, 512-393-8486 (City: Community Forestry). In Hays County, the Texas A&M Forest Service Austin Region is the place for oak wilt help (TFS contacts). More in our oak wilt guide.
Power lines: three providers
San Marcos is served by San Marcos Electric Utility, Pedernales Electric Cooperative and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative (City FAQ). If the tree is near a line, call your electric utility first.
- City electric: for tree work near the line to your house, the city can disconnect service for a while "at no charge to you" (Tree Trimming Policy). The city doesn't trim oaks between February 1 and July 1.
- Bluebonnet: "Never attempt to trim trees or remove vegetation that is near power lines yourself." It trims back 15 ft on each side of a pole's center; 800-842-7708 (Bluebonnet).
- PEC: online tree trimming requests, and "never do it yourself" (PEC).
Where brush and stumps go
- Monthly drop-off: second Saturday, 8 am to 1 pm, 750 River Road, behind the Animal Shelter. Free for city residential garbage customers, and it takes branches and stumps (City).
- TDS brush site: city customers can drop up to 5 cubic yards a month at no extra charge, 3016 FM 1327, Creedmoor (City).
- Curbside bulk pickup: four a year, 3 cubic yards each. Branches under 3 inches wide and 4 ft long, bundled, under 35 lbs (visual guide). Book by 3 pm two business days ahead at 512-393-8412 (City).
- Burning: "Open burning of brush, trash or debris within the City Limits of San Marcos is prohibited at all times" (City). Outside the city, check Hays County's burn ban status.
Clearance and costs
Over the street, the city asks for 8 ft of clearance between the property line and the curb, and 16 ft at the center of the street (Tree & Brush Ordinance), and no tree or shrub within 5 ft of a fire hydrant (Sec. 74.124).
- Tree removal: $399 small, $848 medium, $1,938 large
- Tree trimming: $120 small, $360 medium, $760 large
- Stump grinding: $260
Averages from LawnStarter San Marcos, October 2026. What moves the price.
Questions people ask
What month should trees be pruned in San Marcos?
For oaks, outside February 1 through June 30, by the city's guidance. The Texas A&M Forest Service names late fall and winter as the best time. Pruning by month.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree at my house?
We found none for existing homes; the code's tree rules cover new development. Confirm with Planning at 512-393-8230.
Where can I take tree branches and stumps?
City garbage customers can use the free monthly drop-off on River Road, which takes stumps, or the TDS site in Creedmoor.
How can I lower the cost of tree removal?
Keep the wood, and bundle the small branches for the city's bulk pickup. Don't store green wood from a red oak that died of oak wilt as firewood (Texas A&M Forest Service). More ways, and whether seniors can get free removal.
Nearby
We also connect homeowners in Kyle, New Braunfels and Wimberley with local tree pros. See the Hill Country overview.