I understand the desire for homeowners to see the mountains that surround us. SMVE does allow limited trimming for views but only under the authorization of an approved landscaper and only when the homeowner follows the SMVE tree trimming approval process (See 2016-2017 Process for Trimming Trees on HOA Common Area for a description of the common area tree trimming policy). Many homeowners request that the tree be cut down below the wall to the 4′ or 5′ level. While this will be done on a limited basis if requested, I would like to offer up an alternative approach that will provide views but not destroy habitat. When a Palo Verde is lopped off, as many have done, the tree actually grows the canopy back more rapidly than it would otherwise grow in order to protect itself.
A Palo Verde cut in this fashion does not grow normally but rather grows very thickly and ends up looking more bush like. This is not only unhealthy for the tree, but it results in the homeowner needing to pay for trimming at more frequent intervals if they want to maintain views. On the left is a natural Palo Verde and you can see the “air” and mountain through the branches. The picture on right shows what happens if a tree has been cut off at the 4-5′ level. Notice how thick the canopy is and how the branches are actually much much thicker than a typical desert tree. Seeing through this for view is more of a problem then had the native tree been left alone. It looks less natural and less attractive and may be less desirable as habitat for desert wildlife.
An alternative to this is thinning the tree. Thinning a tree properly results in a tree that enhances the landscape but doesn’t obscure the view. Additionally properly thinning the tree results in much less frequent maintenance needs as a properly thinned tree does not need to rapidly regrow a canopy.
The left picture occurred prior to the trees being thinned. The right picture shows what it looks like after being thinned. The view of the mountains is clearly visible through and around the trees. I like to think of it as windows in the trees. The remaining part of the trees actually enhances the view. Don’t despair if you have previously asked to have trees lopped off. It is possible over time to trim the tree and cause it to be more natural. Usually this takes at least 3 trimmings over a several year period. Consider how much more attractive the “thinned” trees are versus trees that are cut off like this one below. This cut tree does nothing to enhance the view or the surrounding landscape nor does it do much for our native wildlife.
As you contemplate how you want to trim trees for view, consider what the actual view is. In many instances even when you have vegetation like Acacia and Palo Verdes, the mountains are easily visible through or above the trees if the trees are in a fairly natural state. (The mountains are over 9000′ tall, we’re sitting several thousand feet below that, and our trees are usually 10-20′ tall.) Do you really have to see every square inch of not only the mountains but the base of the mountains, the roads, the telephone wires, and the rooftops? Instead think about your site lines. Remember that that vegetation provides sound deadening, wind barrier as well as offering habitat to desert wildlife so lets be selective. A lightly trimmed tree will allow you to see through or around to get the rest of the view while maintaining vegetation that is good for our environment.
Notice in the picture below the homeowner can see plenty of mountains left, center and right. Even where the vegetation is growing there are “windows”. The trees shield the homeowner from rooftops and allows him to see calming nature (green space) rather than rooftops.
I know I personally would love to see more thinning and less mowing of the trees. I believe it is a much more natural and environmentally friendly way to maintain our views. There really is no other place like SMVE in Tucson (a close knit community surrounded by so much open desert) and I hope we preserve this beauty for years to come.
Whatever you decide, please ensure you follow the process and contact us to get approval to trim. Only authorized landscapers are allowed to trim on common ground for liability reasons. Approval of what is to be trimmed (how far into common land we’ll trim) is required before any trimming is allowed. We don’t want to create more of a problem by mowing Palo Verdes deep into the common area as the regrowth will be unattractive, bad for habitat, and hard to see through. Failure to get approval can result in not only fines but also substantial rehabilitation costs. Did you know that per Arizona law, a person commits theft of protected native plants if, without the expressed consent of the landowner, the person knowingly removes or destroys any protected native plants from private or state land according to 3-932. It is actually considered a class four felony! The land behind your home is considered private land that belongs to the HOA so lets all work together to ensure we protect it and enhance it.
