When should I remove my orchard or vineyard in the Central Valley?

The right time to remove an orchard or vineyard depends on market conditions for your crop, your yield trends over the past several years, water costs, and what your long-term plan is for the ground. Most growers we work with remove when the return on the block no longer justifies the value of the land it's sitting on — or when a replant with better-suited stock will produce a stronger return. Fall and early winter are the most common removal windows because they give you time to fumigate and replant before spring.

Can I still burn my orchard in California's San Joaquin Valley?

No. As of January 1, 2025, open burning of orchard and vineyard removals is prohibited throughout the San Joaquin Valley under the final phase of California Senate Bill 705. The material must be chipped and either reincorporated into your soil or hauled off. The Air District's Alternatives to Agricultural Open Burning grant program provides funding to help cover chipping costs.

What is the Air District grant for orchard removal?

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District runs the Alternatives to Agricultural Open Burning Grant Program, which helps growers pay for chipping and soil reincorporation instead of burning. As of early 2026, it pays roughly $300–$1,300 per acre with an extra $400/acre for smaller growers, capped at 100 acres per operation per year. It is a reimbursement program — apply before you schedule the removal. Apply at valleyair.org/grants or call the District at 559-230-5800.

How much does orchard or vineyard removal cost in Central Valley California?

Removal costs vary widely based on acreage, crop type, material density, removal method (grind and reincorporate vs. haul off), and site conditions. A. Nonini Ag Services provides free on-site written estimates — we don't quote prices over the phone because every field is different. Call (559) 840-7399 or request an estimate online.

What happens to the wood after an orchard or vineyard is removed?

The two main options are grinding and soil reincorporation, or haul-off. Grinding the material and working it back into the soil builds organic matter and qualifies for the Air District's grant reimbursement — this is now the standard since open burning was banned in 2025. If you prefer the material gone entirely, we can haul off and dispose of the ground chips. We'll help you decide which makes the most sense for your replanting plan.

From the field · Central Valley, CA

Grower Resources

Straight talk for growers thinking about orchard or vineyard removal — what the burn ban means, how the Air District grant works, and how to decide when it's time to take a block out and reset. Written by people who have done this work since 1988.

Written by Anthony Nonini, 2nd-generation removal contractor No fluff, no sales pitch — just useful information Updated for 2025–2026 rules and grant amounts

Burn ban & grants

Burn ban & grants Updated 2025 May 2026

The Valley burn ban, explained — and what it means for your orchard

As of January 1, 2025, open burning of orchard and vineyard removals is prohibited across the San Joaquin Valley. This page covers exactly what changed under SB 705, the narrow exceptions that remain, why chipping is actually better for your soil, and how to access the Air District's grant program that can reimburse $300–$1,300 per acre.

Can I still burn my orchard?
Ag Burn Alternatives grant
Whole orchard recycling
valleyair.org/grants

A. Nonini Ag Services Read the full guide

Removal decisions

Orchard & vineyard removal May 2026

Is your orchard still worth the land it's sitting on?

The ground under your trees is usually worth more than the trees standing on it. That's a hard thing to sit with when you planted them yourself. This article walks through the questions that actually matter — not just yield per acre, but whether this block is the best use of your most valuable asset — and what removal looks like when it's done on purpose, not by default.

When to remove an orchard
Aging almond orchard
Land value decision

Anthony Nonini Read the full article

Orchard & vineyard removal May 2026

Thinking about pulling almonds to plant pistachios? Read this first.

Almond acreage is shrinking and more Central Valley growers are switching to pistachios. This article walks through the real considerations before you make the move — SGMA, payback timelines, market risk, and what a clean almond-to-pistachio ground conversion actually looks like.

Almond to pistachio conversion
SGMA & water
Ground prep for replanting

Anthony Nonini Read the full article

Orchard & vineyard removal May 2026

Pulling a vineyard for row crops? Here’s how to set the ground up right.

California growers pulled more than 38,000 acres of winegrapes in a single year — and San Joaquin and Fresno counties led the state. For growers switching to row crops, this article covers why the flexibility matters, the specific challenges of vineyard removal (wire, trellis, berms), and what proper ground prep looks like before you plant.

Vineyard to row crops
Trellis & wire removal
SGMA flexibility

Anthony Nonini Read the full article

Soil & replanting

Orchard & vineyard removal May 2026

What happens to the trees and vines after we pull them

Once the trees are out, the material goes one of two ways: spread back into your soil as part of whole orchard recycling, or hauled off for value-added products. This article explains exactly how we make that call — the equipment we use, what chip quality means for soil health, and the five field-specific factors that drive the decision.

Woodchip reincorporation
Spread vs. haul
Tigercat grinding
One-crew removal

Anthony Nonini Read the full article

What does whole orchard recycling actually do for your soil?

Coming soon — the UC Davis research behind grinding and reincorporation, and what it means for your next crop's yield.
The right time of year to remove — and why it matters for replanting

Coming soon — how fumigation windows, frost dates, and replanting schedules affect when to pull the trigger on removal.
Switching crops: what growers need to know before they replant

Coming soon — soil prep, fumigation timing, and what the ground needs before a new planting goes in.

Common questions

Questions growers ask us most

Short, straight answers. Click any question to expand.

: The right time depends on market conditions for your crop, your yield trends, water costs, and your long-term plan for the ground. Most growers remove when the return on the block no longer justifies the value of the land it's sitting on — or when a replant with better-suited stock will produce a stronger return. Fall and early winter are the most common removal windows because they give you time to fumigate and replant before spring.
: No. As of January 1, 2025, open burning of orchard and vineyard removals is prohibited throughout the San Joaquin Valley under the final phase of California Senate Bill 705. The material must be chipped and either reincorporated into your soil or hauled off. Read the full burn ban guide →
: The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District's Alternatives to Agricultural Open Burning Grant Program reimburses growers for chipping and soil reincorporation instead of burning. As of early 2026, it pays roughly $300–$1,300 per acre with an extra $400/acre for smaller growers, capped at 100 acres per year. Apply at valleyair.org/grants or call the District at 559-230-5800. Full grant details →
: Costs vary based on acreage, crop type, material density, removal method, and site conditions. We don't give ballpark numbers over the phone because they're often wrong and waste your time. We come to your property, walk the acreage, and give you a free written estimate. Call (559) 840-7399 or submit a request online.
: The two main options are grinding and soil reincorporation, or haul-off. Since open burning was banned in 2025, grinding and reincorporation has become the standard — it builds organic matter and qualifies for the Air District's grant reimbursement. If you prefer the material gone entirely, we haul off and dispose of the chips. We'll walk you through both options during the estimate.

Ready to talk through your options?

We've removed orchards and vineyards across the Central Valley for nearly 40 years. Come out to your property, walk the field with you, and tell you straight what makes sense — no pressure, no hard sell.

Request a free estimate Call (559) 840-7399