Tree care · Pacific
Hawaii has a warm, tropical climate all year, with wetter windward sides and drier leeward sides on each island. Trees grow fast in the warmth and rain, so trimming is a year-round job. Steep slopes, strong trade winds and heavy rain shape how trees are cared for.
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.
Eucalyptus spp.
Storm risk high
Care and removal notesSyagrus romanzoffiana
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesLagerstroemia indica
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesPhoenix canariensis
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesMagnolia grandiflora
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesAcer palmatum
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesPinus radiata
Storm risk high
Care and removal notesWashingtonia robusta
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.
Hurricane season runs from June to November, and heavy rain and strong winds can come from November to March. Trade winds and flooding can bring trees and limbs down at any time of year.
Main storm months: June to November for hurricane season; November to March for heavy rain and winds
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.
Because it stays warm, trees can be trimmed most of the year. Many owners schedule canopy thinning and palm cleaning before hurricane season starts in June, and avoid heavy pruning right before a storm.
Each species page lists its own best and worst times. See the month-by-month tree care calendar and when to prune.
Some large or historic trees may be protected by county or city rules, and some sites have extra rules for shoreline, steep slopes or historic districts. Check your county or city before removing a big tree. This is general information, not legal advice.
Short explanation, not legal advice. Read our plain guide to tree permits.
City rules we checked in Hawaii, 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
State license required
Hawaii requires a state license for at least some tree work. Ask the company to show it. See the Hawaii 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 Hawaii?
Missed-call text-back, lead follow-up, booking and review requests, set up for tree companies.
For tree service owners
Because Hawaii stays warm, trimming can be done most of the year. Many owners trim before hurricane season, which starts in June, so loose or heavy limbs are removed before strong winds arrive.
It depends on the tree and the place. Some large or historic trees are protected by county or city rules. Call your county or city office before you remove a big tree. This is general information, not legal advice.
Have a tree pro look at large trees and palms before June. They can remove dead limbs, thin crowded canopies and tell you if a tree looks weak. Pruning does not make a tree storm-proof, but it can lower the risk.
Ask for a license number, proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, a written quote, and how they plan to clean up. Check our Hawaii license page for what the state says.
No. Stay away from power lines and call the utility company. A trained crew that is qualified to work near lines should do that job.
Ask a certified arborist or your local extension office. Pests and diseases on the islands can differ from the mainland, and plant rules can limit moving plant material between islands, so get local advice.
Hawaii requires a state license for at least some tree work. Ask the company to show it. Our Hawaii state rules page has the details and links to official sources. Short explanation, not legal advice.
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.