Use the 4 D’s as guidelines:

Remove all Dead, Dying or Diseased trees. When considering the 4th “D”, Density, only consider thinning pine trees less than 15 feet in height and less than 6 inches in diameter (trees larger and taller should be removed by a professional tree removal company). In the City of Big Bear Lake, all trees over 6 inches in diameter require a permit to be removed.

Select trees that are deformed first. Deformed trees are trees that are crooked, have damaged bark, dead tops, or crowns that show evidence of disease or insect
infestation.

• Select trees that have grown up next to buildings or pavement (remember, pine trees need space to grow).

• Select trees that have grown under the branches or up next to mature trees.

• Select trees that are under power lines or along fence lines.

• Ideally, consider spacing of pine trees 20 to 30 feet apart (trunk to trunk).

For more information on tree thinning guidelines, contact your local arborist, a registered forester or your Big Bear Valley fire agencies.

Be fire wise, and realize all plants and trees can catch fire so, “Get in the Race for Defensible Space”.

What Can You Do? A lot. Just take it one step at a time.

Treasuring what we have involves all of us.