Tree Risk Assessment in Maricopa County, AZ

Tree problems in Maricopa County, AZ that call for arborist risk assessment

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

   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.