How to Prepare Your Trees for Wind and Rain Season in the Antelope Valley

Use this checklist in the days before a forecast wind or rain event. If you are not comfortable assessing your trees yourself, call Tip Top Arborists at (661) 382-8722 for a professional hazard assessment.

1. Walk the perimeter of each tree and look up. Look for hanging branches, dead limbs, or any branch that appears to be attached at an unusual angle. If a branch is already partially detached, it is a hazard that needs to be removed before the storm, not after.
2. Check for co-dominant stems. If your tree has two or more main trunks growing from the same base, look at the point where they meet. If the bark appears to be growing inward between the stems rather than outward, that is an included bark union and it is a high-risk failure point.
3. Assess the canopy density. A dense, unpruned canopy acts like a sail in high wind. Crown thinning reduces wind resistance by removing select interior branches, allowing air to pass through rather than push against the tree.
4. Check the base of the tree. Cracks in the bark at the base, mushroom growth, or soft or spongy wood at ground level are all signs of internal decay. A tree with root or trunk decay can fail at wind speeds well below what would normally cause damage.
5. Clear the area around the tree. Remove any objects that could become projectiles if a branch falls. Patio furniture, children’s play equipment, and parked vehicles should be moved away from the drip line of any large tree before a wind event.
6. Note any trees near power lines. Trees growing into or near power lines require clearance pruning by a qualified arborist. Do not attempt to prune near power lines yourself. Call Tip Top Arborists or contact Southern California Edison for utility line clearance.