Tree care · Mountain West
Arizona has a hot desert climate in the south and west, with very hot summers and mild winters, and cooler pine country around Flagstaff and the highlands. Desert trees like mesquite and palo verde sit beside palms, eucalyptus and many planted shade trees. Heat, drought and monsoon winds shape most tree care here.
Trees that commonly grow or are often planted here. The storm risk is our plain rating for the species as a whole, not an inspection of your tree.
Prosopis glandulosa
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesParkinsonia florida
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesWashingtonia robusta
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesPhoenix canariensis
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesEucalyptus spp.
Storm risk high
Care and removal notesPinus ponderosa
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesPinus edulis
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesPistacia chinensis
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesCarya illinoinensis
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesLagerstroemia indica
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesPopulus tremuloides
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesSee every species in the tree library.
Widely known concerns in this part of the country. If you see signs, ask a certified arborist or your state extension office. Ranges change, so check your state's official maps.
More in tree pests and diseases.
The monsoon runs from about July to September, with sudden thunderstorms, strong gusts and microbursts that snap limbs and topple shallow-rooted trees. Wildfire is a concern in the highlands in late spring and early summer.
Main storm months: July to September for monsoon storms; May to July for wildfire risk
After a storm, stay away from downed lines and call the utility. Call 911 if anyone is in danger. Read what to do after a storm and our storm guides.
Heavy pruning is usually done in the cooler months, and light work and palm trimming can happen through the year. Heavy cuts in extreme heat stress a tree, so many arborists wait for cooler weather.
Each species page lists its own best and worst times. See the month-by-month tree care calendar and when to prune.
Some Arizona cities protect native desert trees and cacti, and removing them may need a permit or a plan to replace them. Check your city's rules before you cut. This is a short explanation, not legal advice.
Short explanation, not legal advice. Read our plain guide to tree permits.
City rules we checked in Arizona, with links to the official sources. Checked 26 October 2026. Rules change; short explanation, not legal advice.
See tree removal permits by city for every city we checked.
For homeowners
No state tree license found
We found no state-level license just for tree work in Arizona. Pesticide, contractor and city rules can still apply. See the Arizona state rules page for details and official links.
Get two or three written quotes. To find local pros, search Google Maps and read their reviews. Full steps in how to hire a tree service and the hiring checklist.
Own a tree service in Arizona?
Missed-call text-back, lead follow-up, booking and review requests, set up for tree companies.
For tree service owners
Heavy pruning is best in the cooler months. Light trimming and palm cleanup can be done through the year. Avoid big cuts in the hottest weeks, and ask an arborist about your species.
Trees that are watered shallowly and often develop shallow roots, so a strong gust can push them over. Deep, less frequent watering and good structural pruning can help. Ask a certified arborist to look at large trees before monsoon season.
Palms can be tall and heavy, and fronds fall hard, so many people hire a pro for large ones. Do not cut green fronds heavily, because it can weaken the palm. Ask a tree service how they trim palms.
Some cities protect native desert trees and cacti. There is no single rule for the whole state, so check with your city before you cut. This is a short explanation, not legal advice.
We found no Arizona license made just for tree work. Tree maintenance by a gardener may be exempt from the contractor license law, but removals and larger jobs may need a Registrar of Contractors license. Check the state rules page and ask the Registrar. This is a short explanation, not legal advice.
Water deeply at the edge of the canopy, not just near the trunk, and add a few inches of mulch kept back from the trunk. Young trees need extra care in hot weather. Ask your extension office about watering for your area.
No. Lirevon is a remote marketing team for tree service companies. We do not do tree work and we do not list or rank tree companies. To find a local insured pro, search Google Maps, read their reviews and get two or three written quotes.