James called as everyone has described, almost right away, even though he was on the road, he called. I sent pictures, then he asked for some additional shots. He was going into a meeting and said he'd get back to me later, well he did. He assessed the problem with me over the phone, and relieved my worry regarding my tree. I couldn't have asked for anything better, thank you James, this is how to run a business. read more

James is very knowledgeable, patient, and professional. I would not hesitate to use him in the future.

I contacted James Komen for some advice on our Camphor tree that has large surface roots pushing up our front walkway and driveway. We want to keep this beautiful tree and felt frustrated with previous attempts to mitigate the problem. James returned my call within a timely manner and asked that I text him pictures. After he reviewed the pictures we consulted over the phone and James gave us informed suggestions as to how to keep the tree and manage the root issues. My husband was concerned the roots would undermine the foundation of the house and James reassured us that was unlikely considering the age of the construction and the way these roots grow. I was thoroughly impressed with James. His professionalism and knowledge was reassuring and I would absolutely recommend him to anyone in need of a tree expert. read more

We are first time homeowners in Burbank with 2 mature avocado trees, a lemon tree, and an orange tree. The avocado trees were struggling so we contacted Class One Arboriculture for help. James responded very quickly, helped us understand the watering needs of our trees, and gave us great advice on everything from tree care and pruning to local building codes regarding our trees. We look forward to weathering the upcoming Summer heat with happier and healthier fruit trees. read more

Class One Arboculture is amazing! I needed to dig a trench next to a large jacaranda tree in my front yard and was worried about damaging it. I called Class One based on the yelp reviews and I'm so glad I did. I spoke to James and within an hour he was able to give me options on how to dig without harming my precious tree. Now that's excellent customer service! Thank you James! read more

James was recommended by several neighbors on Nextdoor dot com. They were right! Despite the fact that I called a only few minutes before closing, James took a lot of time to listen and then make his recommendations. I was impressed by his knowledge and the way he tailored his suggestions to our particular situation. He went on to invite me to send photos for further evaluation. He was polite, professional, thorough, honest and so helpful. read more

James was referred to me by our landscape architect who had concerns about a tree in our backyard. When I called, James suggested that I send him some pictures of the tree to see if he could review first that way in order to save time and cost. When I sent the pictures, he called me the same day with extensive knowledge about the tree, the issues with it, and different ways to potentially address it. He is professional, thoughtful and has very good advice. I will definitely recommend him to friends in the area. read more

James called be back just a few hours after leaving a message and was incredibly helpful over the phone, quickly diagnosing the problem we have with our tree and offering advise. I'll definitely be using his services in the future for all my trees! read more

I was referred to James by another certified arborist as my issue involved potential liability and damages. I found James to be thoughtful, thorough and well worth my time. He listened and provided practical insight in a very supportive manner. This is a professional who takes his profession and services very seriously. You and your tree are well cared for. Follow his advice, take notes and don't hesitate if you have questions. read more

As new home owners we had no idea how to care for the amazing grapefruit tree in our yard. With just a few photos James was able to diagnose several issues plaguing our tree and provided us with a wealth of information for how to care for it. He was very generous with his time and expert knowledge and we're looking forward to many more years with our ancient tree! I would definitely call on him again for consultation and for any other services. Thanks James! read more

I couldn't have asked for a more responsive, respectful reply to my inquiry. James at Class One Arboriculture was extremely helpful, offering his expert advice, reassurance, and all at no cost! His generosity and professionalism is rare indeed! read more

I had a very nice experience with James and Class One Arboriculture. I was concerned about a large Aleppo pine adjacent to my house. I was willing to pay him to come out and check the tree, but he suggested first looking at some photos. I texted them to him, and he called me within 5 minutes with a phone consult. He carefully spoke to me about the characteristics of the tree, giving me my options, and reassuring me that an expensive visit was not needed. He honestly informed me that if I want the tree removed, I should hire another company since a certified arborist would not be necessary. This degree of honesty and helpfulness is very rare these days! read more

This guy is great! My husband called about a tree I had been worrying about- it's huge and the leaves are starting look very dry. So we just texted him a photo of the tree and he said it's nothing to panic about and then told us how to water the tree during the summer. We moved here from oregon three years ago and we new nothing about how to care for trees in a drought climate. He didn't charge us anything! read more

I love my trees. Two Sequoias, Junipers, Pomegranate, Persimmon, Apple, Grapefruit- and I had been told they all needed to be pruned every year for their health and to bear better fruit. James set me straight and had me really look at my objective. As it turns out, all my concerns were unfounded. The trees are fine for now. The Palm is stable and won't encroach on the foundation of my house, the dead pine needles are just that - dead, not diseased. And the fruit trees and Junipers are happy the way they are. And now so am I. :) And James gave me all this advice for free over the phone from just the photos I sent. He answered my call on the first ring, too! Awesome guy to take the time to educate a newbie like me and to ease my mind. Oh, and one more thing! He advised me to put into the lease, when I rent my house next year, the requirement that the tenants keep to the current irrigation plan as the Sequoias need lots of water. Good idea! Thanks, James! read more

ANY tree questions and dont want to get ripped off then speak with James- Sent him pics and he described the problem over the phone for FREE- other arborists wanted to charge $300 an hour! James knows his stuff. read more

Got some quick free advice on how to rejuvenate my tree. Thank you for taking the time to help!

Talked with James today and he was great. Had thought to trim/thin my redwood as some branches were breaking. We talked and he said normal for branches to break in high winds after 5 years of drought. We talked about watering the tree needs. Also that redwoods don't do as well in Southern California as native to Northern CA. Great advice. James is one of the good guys. read more

Let me start by saying I am a bit of a tree worshipper. I love trees in general and have quite a few on my property. I recently noticed that one of my favorite trees, a giant Eucalyptus, had sustained what looked like a gunshot wound. A hole the size of a fat man's thumb was leaching a cheery red sap that was congealing around the wound. I googled the symptoms and panicked, as the advice was that my tree was the victim of a boring beetle, and would soon be lost to me, and that I had no alternative but to take it down. I called a tree removal man, a good man, a kind man, who confirmed my diagnosis and while I waited for his estimate to arrive in my email, I began the process of mourning. BUT THEN I WOKE UP. I decided to get a second opinion from a CERTIFIED ARBORIST. The man, James Komen, also good, also kind, had a compendious knowledge of trees and was as patient with my annoying questions as a mother with a beloved child. He did NOT confirm my wayward diagnosis but gave me the necessary information to deal with the afflicted tree, which was not as afflicted as I imagined. The good news is I am not going to lose this tree, and if it does go, it won't go for a long time. He also looked at all my trees and gave me great advice about watering and location. He could not have been nicer or more congenial. And here's why: He loves his job, he loves trees, and it shows in the care he takes with his clients. read more

Highly recommended, first-class skills, certified arborists, reasonable rates, excellent cleanup.

I highly recommend James. He is extremely knowledgeable and very personable. He evaluated all of our trees (citrus, maple, oak and avocado) and offered lots of tips and pointers to help us. He was very patient with our small children and explained and showed them some of the things he was talking about. He is professional and trustworthy. He truly understands the local trees, ordinances and climate...nothing seems to stump him. read more

I wrote to James Komen for advice about the Western sycamores on our front lawn which are looking scraggly. Wondered whether they were affected by drought, infestation, or some other cause. I sent him 5 photos and he got back to me almost immediately, even though he was about to get on an airplane. He diagnosed a fungus common to the species and recommended that we watch and wait. Very impressed with this level of professionalism and would not hesitate to hire him for any other tree issues. read more

James was incredibly helpful, knowledgable and patient. Recommend highly!!!

James at Class One helped me in my search for a tree for my back garden. Not only was is he extremely knowledgeable and creative in his suggestions but he was also very quick at responding to my calls and emails. Highly recommended! read more

I called James because I moved into a home with a gigantic Chinese Elm in the front yard. I was told by the home inspector that the Chinese Elm was an extremely destructive tree, with roots that would find any water and possibly detrimentally impact the home's foundation, breach into leaking pipes, and that it possibly already caused damage to my neighbor's driveway, as well as my own, and the sidewalk. I called James to get a professional opinion, as this seemed to be an issue that required expert advice. James called me back almost immediately after I had left a message on a Saturday, and he indicated he could come out to evaluate ($300) or I could simply send him a few pictures and he could try to resolve the issue telephonically at no fee. I sent him the photos on a Sunday, and he called me back, again, almost immediately after the photos were sent. He indicated that although the tree was an aggressive species, and it may cause some cracked stucco every few years on the exterior of the house, or could require a plumber response every few years, the cost of these minor repairs should not deter me from maintaining this tree. He doubted the tree was the cause of the damage to the sidewalks and driveways; he also didn't believe that it would cause damage to the foundation, as it was a raised foundation. His assessment was in part due to the type of soil required for the original planting of the tree, and the manner in which the tree typically grew. He estimated the tree value at $10K. He said that any tree could essentially cause the concerns that I had raised, and although the tree could cause some damage over time, he disagreed with the degree of concern that had been placed by the initial inspector. He also indicated that he wasn't a "tree hugger," and that he would be responsive to any further questions I might have. I was appreciative of his knowledge and responsiveness. read more

Class act! I have a lemon tree that I knew just didn't look right. I called and left a message on Friday night around 6:00 pm, and Jim called me promptly the next morning. He said if he came for an on-site visit he would charge a fee, but if I were on a budget (and I am) that I could send him photos and he would take a look. He called me immediately after getting the photos, and my sweet lemon tree was hit by the drought. He gave me a watering regimen, and told me to buy a certain hose, and I have been following his advice and will continue to do so. What I saved in a site visit I will spend on water, but my amazing, very old and very large lemon tree needs it. I know I will need tree trimming in late winter/early spring, and I won't hesitate to call him to either do the work or recommend someone good that can. I know I would really benefit from a drip system, and that is on the list for a future big home improvement item. Very grateful to have found this company. read more

I called James based on reading glowing Yelp reviews to inquire about some oozing sap I have recently noticed on a Chinese Flame Tree in my front yard. James called me back promptly, asked me to text photos, and shortly after he received them, he called me back to explain what was going on with my tree. James is highly intelligent, and is a virtual encyclopedia of knowledge with respect to invasive insects and trees. He was extremely helpful and courteous. Also, although I have read of other certified arborists trying to sell treatments of various types to you whether you need them or not, James made no such attempts. He explained to me all the treatment methods available and told me that for now, I should not do anything, and just wait and see. I very much appreciate the free knowledge and advice provided by James, and I will definitely be using him for all future tree related needs. Thanks James! read more

James Komen of Class One Arboriculture advised me on how to manage a damaged branch of my 70 ft eucalyptus. I was impressed by his approach of carefully watching the tree before cutting the damaged branch, and his specific advice on how to do this. Bark had been peeled off by a previous tree pruner, who then painted it black, a discredited practice now considered by experts as potentially detrimental. Peeled bark is considered a wound and never heals over. The spot is vulnerable to insects and fungus getting under the bark, but I wanted to avoid cutting off the damaged branch because it's an older tree, so it's best not to cut off larger branches unless absolutely necessary (per tree experts). James said the branch will eventually have to be cut off, but suggested having an arborist go up and check the wound area with a rubber mallet in a couple of years, maybe when the tree is pruned. They'll be able to detect infestation. If none, don't cut the branch. If infestation, then cut it. Continue checking in this same way until infestation appears. Again, I appreciate the specificity and the approach of carefully taking cues from the tree before making radical cuts on it. He also advised me on irrigation matters and the general health of the tree. I had spoken to other arborists but James seemed to have the most energy and focus. I highly recommend him. read more