Skip to content 
Storm season tree trimming is one of the best times to address heavy branches, deadwood, overgrown canopies, and other visible concerns before strong winds and rain arrive.
At Rancho Landscape & Tree Care, we help homeowners, HOAs, property managers, and commercial properties prepare their trees for storm season with professional tree trimming and pruning throughout the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and surrounding Los Angeles communities.
If your trees have heavy limbs near your home, branches over driveways or walkways, excessive canopy growth, or deadwood, a professional tree assessment can help identify potential problems before the next storm.
Why Storm Season Tree Trimming Is Important
Strong wind and heavy rain place much greater forces on trees. Branches that don’t appear concerning during normal weather may become more noticeable when the canopy begins moving under wind loads.
Professional tree trimming can address specific concerns while maintaining the natural structure and appearance of the tree.
Depending on the tree, its condition, and its location, preventative pruning may include removing dead or damaged branches, reducing excessive end weight, improving clearance, selectively thinning dense areas, and addressing overextended limbs.
The objective isn’t simply to remove as many branches as possible. We evaluate each tree individually and recommend pruning based on its specific needs.
Signs Your Trees May Need Trimming Before a Storm
You don’t need to wait for branches to break before scheduling a tree inspection.
Consider scheduling a tree assessment if you notice:
- Dead, broken, or hanging branches
- Large limbs extending over your home or roof
- Heavy branches over driveways, vehicles, or walkways
- Excessively dense or overgrown canopies
- Long, overextended limbs carrying significant weight
- Branches rubbing against structures
- Previous poor pruning or topping
- Visible cracks, cavities, or damaged branches
Some tree problems require an aerial inspection because they are difficult to identify from the ground.
When there are concerns about a large or mature tree, a professional evaluation can help determine whether pruning or further assessment is appropriate.
Reducing Heavy and Overextended Branches
One of the most common concerns we see is excessive weight toward the ends of long branches.
When appropriate for the tree, selective reduction pruning can shorten or reduce weight on specific limbs while maintaining a more natural canopy.
This can be particularly important when mature trees are growing near homes, garages, neighboring properties, streets, parking areas, and other locations where falling branches could cause damage.
Proper pruning means carefully choosing which branches to remove, reduce, or leave in place.
The Proper Way to Thin a Tree
Tree thinning doesn’t mean stripping out the interior of the canopy or removing excessive amounts of foliage.
Over-thinning can negatively affect a tree’s appearance and structure. Excessive removal of interior growth can also concentrate foliage and weight toward the ends of branches.
Professional pruning should be selective and based on the tree species, structure, condition, location, and the objectives of the property owner.
Our goal is to leave trees looking professionally maintained—not unnecessarily stripped. The International Society of Arboriculture also provides guidance for homeowners on proper tree pruning practices.
Avoid Topping Trees Before Storm Season
Some property owners believe severely cutting back a tree will automatically make it safer.
Tree topping is different from proper pruning.
Indiscriminately cutting large branches or removing excessive portions of the canopy can negatively affect the tree’s structure, health, and appearance. It can also encourage vigorous new growth around pruning cuts.
Instead, proper storm season tree trimming should focus on targeted pruning that addresses specific concerns while preserving appropriate tree structure.
Trees Growing Close to Homes Need Special Attention
Large trees provide shade, character, and value to a property, but their location matters.
Branches extending toward roofs, windows, neighboring properties, utility areas, or frequently used portions of the property may require additional consideration.
That doesn’t necessarily mean removing the entire tree.
In many situations, proper pruning, clearance, or selective branch reduction can address the property owner’s concerns while maintaining the tree.
Storm Season Tree Trimming: Don’t Wait Until After the Storm
Tree-service companies can become extremely busy immediately before and after major wind and rain events.
After a storm, property owners may also be dealing with fallen limbs, damaged trees, blocked driveways, or emergency cleanup.
Scheduling storm season tree trimming ahead of severe weather gives you an opportunity to address visible concerns before they become urgent.
If you’re unsure whether your trees need trimming, an assessment can help determine what work—if any—is appropriate.
Professional Tree Trimming in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys
Rancho Landscape & Tree Care provides professional tree trimming, pruning, tree removal, and tree care services throughout the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Pasadena, Altadena, La Cañada Flintridge, Simi Valley, and surrounding Los Angeles communities.
Our approach focuses on improving tree health and appearance while addressing the specific needs of each property.
Whether you have one mature tree near your home or manage a property with dozens of trees, we can evaluate the work and provide a clear proposal outlining our recommendations.
Schedule Your Pre-Storm Tree Trimming Estimate
If you have heavy branches, deadwood, overgrown trees, or limbs growing toward your home, now is a good time to have them evaluated.
Contact Rancho Landscape & Tree Care to schedule a tree assessment and receive a professional proposal for your property.
Prepare your trees before the heavy wind and rain arrive.
Rancho Landscape & Tree Care
Improving your trees health and appearance.