Santa Ana Wind Season Prep: A Homeowner’s Checklist to Prevent Tree Failures in LA & OC

If you’ve lived in Los Angeles or Orange County for more than a season, you know the feeling: the air turns crisp, the sky goes razor-blue, and the breeze that started as “nice” is suddenly shoving patio furniture across the yard. Yep—Santa Ana winds are back. They’re part of life here, but they also turn small tree issues into big problems fast.

When our crew rolls out after a wind event, we see the same patterns: a hidden crack that opens up, a heavy limb that twists until it lets go, or palms peeling off skirts like streamers. The silver lining? Most of that is preventable with a little planning and the right kind of pruning.

Below is the same wind-season playbook we share with clients from West Hollywood and Brentwood to Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and throughout OC—practical, no drama, focused on safety and prevention.

What “Santa Ana winds” actually are (and why they matter)

Quick refresher: Santa Ana winds happen when dry, high-pressure air from inland squeezes through SoCal’s mountain passes toward the coast. As it descends, it speeds up and dries out even more—great for views, rough on trees. They’re most common from September through May, and they can arrive in waves. National Weather Service

If you like having an official checklist for severe wind days, Ready.gov keeps simple, household-level guidance to prep and stay safe. Worth bookmarking. Ready.gov+1

Ten-minute self-assessment (walk your property before the first gusty week)

Start at the ground, then look up. You’re not trying to diagnose—just to flag what deserves a pro’s eyes.

Red flags you can spot without climbing a ladder

• Cracks where big branches (leaders) meet the trunk

• Deadwood—stiff, leafless limbs that snap instead of bend

• Soil heaving at the base or a new lean you haven’t noticed before

• Fungus or soft wood near the root flare (possible decay)

• Palm skirts/ripe seed clusters stacking up and ready to go airborne

See any of those? Keep people and pets away from the area and call our 24/7 Emergency Tree Service right away.

Pruning for wind the right way (and the one thing never to do)

Please don’t top your trees

Topping (flattening the crown) seems like a quick fix, but it actually creates fast, weak regrowth that fails more easily in future winds. It also invites decay and shortens a tree’s life. The University of California has warned against topping for years for exactly these reasons. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources+1

What works instead

• Remove deadwood so gusts don’t turn it into projectiles

• Shorten over-extended limbs to reduce leverage at the unions

• Selective thinning in dense canopies to lower “sail effect” (not a buzz cut—just enough to let wind pass through)

That’s the balance our climbers aim for with Tree Pruning and Tree Trimming—safer structure and a natural, healthy look.

Power lines and clearance: what to know

If branches are near overhead lines, don’t DIY. Utilities and certified pros handle that work under strict rules. In Los Angeles, for example, minimum clearance from high-voltage lines is at least 18 inches (and 4 feet in high-fire areas). The safest approach is to keep your trees managed proactively so they never encroach. LADWP

When in doubt, call us and we’ll advise whether your situation is a utility call, a pruning visit, or both.

Palms in the wind: special rules for SoCal icons

Palms wear the crown for wind drama. Those skirted layers and heavy seed clusters rip loose in gusts and come down hard. If you have fan palms lining a sidewalk or driveway, schedule Tree Trimming before winds peak. We’ll de-skirt and remove clusters safely so you’re not playing pickup every time a gust hits.

Your pre-wind checklist (do these a week before a forecasted event)

1. Book preventative care

   Get on the calendar for structural Tree Pruning: deadwood out, over-extended leaders shortened, interior selectively thinned, palms cleaned. We fill up quickly once wind advisories go out.

2. Secure the surroundings

   Move cars off the street where branches overhang. Lay patio umbrellas down. Tie or store lightweight furniture and kids’ play sets.

3. Check drainage

   Clear roof valleys and surface drains. Saturated soil + wind increases the odds of a lean or uproot.

4. Deep watering rhythm (not daily sprinkles)

   A healthy, deeply watered tree flexes better than a stressed one. Mulch helps retain moisture and protect roots.

5. If you’re near a wildland edge

   Review defensible space basics (zones around the home, lean/clean within 5 feet, etc.) from CAL FIRE. Even if you’re not in a high-risk zone, that page is a goldmine for smart yard maintenance before wind and fire weather. CAL FIRE+1

During the wind: “safety first” rules that actually matter

• Stay inside when high wind advisories are active; postpone yard work and roof checks.

• If you’re caught outside, avoid trees, use handrails, and move away from roads where gusts can push you into traffic. National Weather Service

• Assume any downed line is live. Call the utility immediately and keep your distance; then call us for the tree portion.

Ready.gov also maintains general severe-weather guidance you can scan in 60 seconds—simple, practical steps for households. Ready.gov

After the wind: when to call for a professional inspection

• Fresh cracks at branch unions (even hairline)

• Hangers—broken limbs still caught up in the canopy

• Soil mounding or new lean that wasn’t there last week

• Palm head shifted or fronds broken at the crown

• Impact damage to roofs, gutters, fences, or vehicles

Sometimes we can save a tree with corrective pruning; sometimes the safest move is Tree Removal. If we remove, we’ll finish with Stump Grinding so you’re not left with a tripping hazard (or an army of sprouts).

Common LA/OC species notes (what we see most in wind calls)

• Ficus: Incredible shade, hefty canopies, assertive roots. Needs routine structural pruning to stay wind-resilient.

• Eucalyptus: Fast growers that shed limbs under stress; deadwood control and weight management are key.

• Pines: Flexible when healthy; watch for resin bleeds, dieback, or root issues on slopes.

• Palms: Keep them de-skirted; remove seed/fruit clusters before peak wind season.

If you’re not sure what you have, we’ll ID it during a visit and map out a maintenance rhythm.

Real-life snapshot: the “looked fine” maple in Westwood

A homeowner in Westwood called after a blustery night—no obvious problems from the ground, just some leaves everywhere. Up in the canopy, our climber found a hidden crack at the junction of two big leaders. We reduced weight, installed a support system at the union, and removed smaller competing growth. That tree has now sailed through two wind seasons without a single issue. The takeaway: the risky stuff isn’t always visible from the lawn.

Quick notes for streets and sidewalks (bonus for city-adjacent trees)

If you’re dealing with a parkway tree, the City of LA keeps public resources on spacing, protection, and infrastructure conflicts. It’s a good reference when you’re coordinating pruning or deciding whether to plant/replace near driveways, hydrants, or lights. We can translate the bureaucratic bits for you during a consult. streets.lacity.gov+1

Stay informed when the winds kick up

When forecasts get spicy, local and national agencies often issue Red Flag Warnings and high-wind alerts. The National Weather Service and news outlets post clear updates on timing, gust speeds, and fire risk so you can adjust plans and secure your property. (If you like deeper explainers, OpenSnow has a solid plain-English breakdown of how Santa Anas form and why they’re so intense.) San Francisco Chronicle+2The Guardian+2

Your wind-season game plan (save this)

1. Walk your property for cracks, deadwood, soil heave, and palm skirts.

2. Schedule preventative pruning—reduce sail, clean crowns, de-skirt palms.

3. Clear surroundings—vehicles, furniture, umbrellas, and drains.

4. Follow advisories—stay indoors during the worst of it; assume downed lines are live. National Weather Service

5. Post-storm check—look for hangers, new leans, crown shifts, or damage.

6. If a tree is beyond saving—plan safe Tree Removal and Stump Grinding to finish the job.

Why homeowners call Alan And Son before the gusts arrive

• 20+ years in LA/OC: We know how the usual suspects—ficus, eucalyptus, pines, palms—behave when gusts hit 40+.

• Climbers who care about form: Safety first, but your tree should still look like a tree when we’re done.

• 24/7 response: Our Emergency Tree Service triages, secures, and cleans up fast.

• Licensed & insured: License #1060589. We document work and provide notes/photos that can help with insurance or HOA conversations.

Ready before the next wind event?

If a branch is brushing your roof, if your palms have heavy skirts, or if you just want a pre-season inspection for peace of mind, we’ve got you.

• Tree Trimming Service – reduce wind sail and clearances

• Tree Pruning Service – correct structure and remove hazards

• Emergency Tree Service – 24/7 response when storms hit

• Tree Removal Service – when a tree is no longer safe

• Stump Grinding – wrap the job cleanly and prevent regrowth

Free authoritative resources we referenced (handy to keep)

• National Weather Service – Winds & Mountain/Valley Winds (how Santa Anas form, when they occur) National Weather Service

• Ready.gov – Severe Weather & Thunderstorms (household prep and safety) Ready.gov+1

• CAL FIRE – Defensible Space (clear, visual guidance on zones around the home) CAL FIRE+1

• UC Agriculture & Natural Resources – “Don’t Top Trees” (why topping creates weak, failure-prone regrowth) UC Agriculture and Natural Resources+1

• LADWP – Tree Trimming & Line Clearance (when utilities must be involved; minimum clearances) LADWP

• StreetsLA – Policies & Spacing Guidelines (useful if your tree sits on the parkway or near city infrastructure) streets.lacity.gov+1