Anderson's Tree Care Specialists has announced an expansion of its oak inspection services in Saratoga and Los Gatos. The move comes as the goldspotted oak borer continues its northward progression through California, reaching Ventura County in January 2026. This marks the sixth confirmed county for the pest and its farthest northern point to date.
The company, which serves San Jose, Saratoga, Los Gatos, and surrounding South Bay communities, aims to help homeowners protect mature oaks before infestations take hold. The goldspotted oak borer, native to southeastern Arizona, was first detected in San Diego County in 2004. It attacks coast live oaks, California black oaks, and canyon live oaks by boring beneath the bark, which disrupts the tree's vascular tissue.
CAL FIRE confirmed the beetle's presence in Ventura County in January and subsequently issued a statewide advisory urging residents to "Buy It Where You Burn It." The agency identified the movement of infested oak firewood across county lines as the primary pathway for long-distance spread. Unlike many airborne pests, the goldspotted oak borer relies on this method to establish new populations.
Although the beetle has not yet been confirmed in Santa Clara County, the risk remains elevated during fall firewood season. Anderson's Tree Care Specialists noted that by the time homeowners notice visible damage, an infestation is often already well established. The company encourages property owners with oaks on their land to seek professional evaluation rather than waiting for obvious signs of distress.
Certified arborists with the company have identified several early-warning symptoms that indicate a tree may be under pest pressure. These include yellowing or wilting leaves, premature shedding of needles, and canopy decline that progresses faster than seasonal norms. Damage to the phloem tissue from beetle activity often causes these issues to appear on one side of the tree or in isolated branches.