Healthy Trees

Keep your trees beautiful and healthy! Check their health and growth periodically. Are there signs of disease? Do the trees need trimming or thinning?
Use a reputable tree service to trim or remove trees. Avoid injury and property damage that can happen with DIY efforts. The Riviera West office has a list of qualified tree removal and lot-clearing services in our local area.
Get the help of an arborist to diagnose disease and advise you on long-term tree management.
Excessive "crown-raising" is strongly discouraged. Click here to learn more about this harmful practice from the Urban Tree Foundation.
Your trees may need trimming, thinning or removal to reduce fire danger on your property. Contact the Riviera West Fire Prevention Committee to discuss fire prevention measures that may be needed on your lot. NOTE: While you must keep your trees safely trimmed for fire prevention, "clear-cutting" or removal of all trees and shrubs from your property is not permitted.
Remove brush and branches! Not all tree services remove branches and debris after they take down a tree. Be sure you provide for the branches and other debris to be removed.
You will need Riviera West Architectural Control & Planning approval before you remove a tree with a 6" diameter or greater trunk. Completing an application is easy. Click here to download the tree-removal application, or pick one up at the Riviera West office.
Erosion control: Be sure rainwater run-off will not damage your property or a neighbor's property after removal of trees or shrubs. You may need to plant replacement trees or take other steps to prevent erosion.
When planting, select small and moderate-sized trees that are suitable for Riviera West lot sizes. Consider proximity to overhead wires and the effect your trees will have on neighboring properties at maturity. Click here to view PG&E's recommendation on trees, and stop by the office for more information on recommended trees.
Firewise Guide to Landscape and Construction - a good general guide to help you plan your landscaping using the zone concept to reduce fuel.
Helping Trees Survive a Drought: Drought is a fact of life in California. Click HERE to view CalFire's informative guide.
Removing dead trees that could threaten a neighbor's property: Homeowners have expressed concerns when they believe a neighbor's dead tree could fall on their home or property. Whether you are in the path of a dead tree or the owner of the tree, this is a serious issue. We emphasize that if a dead tree on your property damages your neighbor or their property, you (not Riviera West) are the responsible party; and that could lead to significant problems for you . Dead trees are not only a major fire hazard, they may also threaten life and property. Work together with your neighbors to remove trees that could damage property, and remember to get Riviera West approval before removing any tree - alive or dead, healthy or sick.
THANK YOU for your cooperation! Working together, we can keep our community a safe and pleasant place to live.