C-49 Tree and Palm Contractor license in California

Updated November 1, 2026 · Official name from CSLB's classification list

• 665licenses hold C-49
• 95.5%Clear (CA addresses)
• 13.2%workers' comp exempt (all: 49.6%)
• 100%contractor's bond on file
• 1.4 yrsmedian time licensed
• 75.4%businesses, not sole owners

C-49 Tree and Palm contractors plant, maintain and remove trees and palms. CSLB's description names pruning, stump grinding and guying trees, palms or limbs. Older tree-service licenses issued as C-61/D-49 now point to this class.

There is an exemption. A nursery worker doing incidental pruning or guying of planted trees, or a gardener doing incidental pruning, doesn't need this license. That exemption is for incidental pruning only. For a removal or major pruning job, look up the license number first.

Typical work under C-49

• Tree and palm removal
• Pruning and crown thinning
• Palm skinning and frond trimming
• Stump grinding
• Cabling and guying trees and limbs
• Planting large trees and palms

Work that needs a different license

• Full yard design and planting: C-27 Landscaping
• Clearing a whole lot of brush and soil: C-12 Earthwork and Paving
• Repairing a roof damaged by a fallen limb: C-39 Roofing

Tips before hiring

• If the record shows C-61/D-49 instead, California requires that subcategory to insure for workers' comp even as a one-person shop.
• Ask whether a city permit is needed for removal of a protected or street tree.
• Ask how the crew will protect the roof, fence and lawn during removal.
• Get stump grinding and debris hauling listed in the price.

Where C-49 contractors are

The cities with the most C-49 license holders in CSLB's current file:

1. Tree and Palm Contractors in Sacramento: 25
2. Tree and Palm Contractors in San Jose: 24
3. Santa Rosa: 12
4. Bakersfield: 11
5. Escondido: 10
6. Los Angeles: 10
7. Redding: 10
8. Concord: 8
9. San Diego: 8
10. Grass Valley: 7

All tree and palm contractors lists

Cities with at least 20 C-49 license holders, largest first:

• Sacramento (25)
• San Jose (24)

How to verify a C-49 license

1. Search the business or license number here and confirm C-49 is listed on the profile.
2. Check the same number on CSLB's Instant License Check.
3. Read our full guide to checking a contractor license.

Related license types

• C-61 Limited Specialty
• C-27 Landscaping Contractor
• C-12 Earthwork and Paving Contractors

Source: CSLB public data · Updated November 1, 2026 Status can change at any time. Verify on CSLB's Instant License Check.

More license types: ← C-47 General Manufactured Housing Contractor · C-50 Reinforcing Steel Contractor →