How Often Should an RV Park or Community Trim Its Trees?

Most mature trees in an RV park, manufactured housing community or HOA should be inspected every year and trimmed on a 3 to 5 year cycle. Fast-growing species, trees over roads and lots, and trees near power lines often need attention sooner.

What decides the trimming cycle?

• Species. Laurel oaks and other fast, weak-wooded trees drop limbs sooner than live oaks and need shorter cycles.
• Location. Trees over roads, lots, roofs, pools and amenities carry more risk and get priority.
• Age and condition. Older trees with dead wood, cavities or included bark need closer watching.
• Past storm damage. A tree that lost limbs in a hurricane should be re-inspected, not assumed fine.

What does a good trim look like?

Proper pruning removes dead, broken, crossing and hazardous limbs and lifts the canopy for clearance. A common industry guideline is to take no more than about 25 percent of the live canopy in one visit. Topping, which cuts large limbs back to stubs, weakens the tree and creates the exact hazard you are trying to prevent.

Palms are different. Remove only dead or hanging fronds. Stripping green fronds does not protect a palm in a storm and can stress it.

How do you build a schedule?

1. Walk the property once a year and mark trees that need work.
2. Group the work by zone so a crew can finish each area in one visit.
3. Finish major pruning before June 1, the start of hurricane season.
4. Keep a log of each tree's date and condition. It helps with budgets and with insurance questions.

When to call a pro

Call a certified arborist or a licensed tree crew for anything over a roof, near lines or above head height. Atlas & Arbor handles scheduled trimming, crane work and storm response on occupied communities, with notice to residents before equipment arrives.

Last updated Nov 1, 2026