When should I trim in Mesa for monsoon season?

If your trees are top-heavy, overextended, or full of deadwood, waiting until storm season is a gamble.

A good rule is to trim with enough lead time that the tree is not stressed right before heavy winds. We focus on sensible risk reduction, not over-thinning that can make desert trees more sun-stressed.

Do I need to trim trees that hang over sidewalks or streets?

Mesa code compliance guidance commonly calls for branches to be maintained at least 8 feet over sidewalks and 14 feet over streets or alleys, especially where visibility and clearance matter. Mesa+1

If your tree canopy is low over the sidewalk, scraping delivery trucks, or blocking sightlines at corners, it is not just annoying. It can become a compliance and safety issue.

Is it better to trim a tree or remove it?

Trim makes sense when the tree is structurally sound and in a workable location.

Removal makes sense when the tree is:

• Dead or declining beyond recovery

• Structurally unsafe (major cracks, severe lean, failed limbs)

• Doing expensive damage (roots lifting hardscape, constant roof contact, repeated failures)

• In the wrong place (too close to the home or block wall for the long term)

We will tell you which option is the smarter long-term move and why.

What is the biggest mistake people make with Mesa trees?

Two common ones:

Over-thinning right before heat or storms
It can stress the tree and invite sun damage.

Chasing the cheapest cut
Bad cuts often lead to weak regrowth and higher failure risk later, which costs more than doing it right the first time.