Emergency Tree Cutting in Maricopa County, AZ

Tree problems in Maricopa County, AZ that call for emergency tree cutting

1. 1

   The Arizona Native Plant Law

   Arizona's Native Plant Law protects species including palo verde, mesquite, ironwood, saguaro and other cacti. Destroying or removing a protected native requires prior notice to the Arizona Department of Agriculture; for areas under one acre, that notice period is 20 days. It applies across the county, in cities and unincorporated areas alike. Pruning doesn't require notice.

2. 2

   SRP and APS: who trims near the lines

   Salt River Project serves much of the central and east Valley, and APS serves other areas. SRP's vegetation management team prunes and removes trees that pose a risk to the system, and once a tree has grown within 10 feet of its pole-to-pole lines, pruning it becomes SRP's responsibility. Never hire a regular crew to work near energized lines; call the utility.

3. 3

   Monsoon damage across the Valley

   The monsoon brings 30 to 60 percent of the Valley's annual rain, often in violent bursts with microburst winds and dust storms. Top-heavy hybrid mesquites and over-watered trees with shallow roots topple, and limbs come down on walls, pools and lines. Spring thinning and deep, infrequent watering are the best prevention; see [monsoon tree damage in Phoenix](/tree-removal/arizona/phoenix/storm-damage-tree-removal/).

4. 4

   Unincorporated areas and HOAs

   Unincorporated communities like Sun City, Sun City West, Anthem and parts of the far east and west Valley don't have city tree rules, but many have HOAs with landscape rules. Check HOA requirements before removing trees, and remember that native plant notice applies everywhere.

5. 5

   Palms, citrus and non-native shade trees

   Not everything in a Valley yard is protected. Palms, citrus, eucalyptus, Aleppo pine, African sumac and ficus are common non-native trees that can be removed without native-plant notice. Big Aleppo pines and eucalyptus in older neighborhoods suffer in extreme heat and drop limbs in monsoon winds; tall palms need dead fronds removed so they don't become fire fuel or falling hazards. If you're not sure whether a tree is a protected native, a local arborist can identify it before you file anything.