Living in Ventura County means enjoying beautiful weather, open landscapes, and neighborhoods nestled close to nature. But with those perks comes the very real risk of wildfire. For homeowners throughout the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas, creating defensible space around the home isn’t just a good idea. It’s a critical step in protecting lives, property, and insurance eligibility.

Defensible space refers to the buffer you create between your home or structures and the wildland areas that surround them. This buffer slows or stops the spread of fire, while also giving firefighters a safe zone in which to defend your property. More than just about cutting brush, it is a comprehensive strategy that includes tree care, vegetation management, and ongoing maintenance. At Greene Tree Care, we’ve worked with countless homeowners, HOAs, and estate managers to develop and maintain defensible space, and we understand the urgency and complexity behind it.

Fire-Prone Tree Species to Watch For

A key component of defensible space is understanding which tree species are more susceptible to fire. Certain trees pose a much greater risk due to their physical structure, sap content, or the way they shed debris. For example, eucalyptus trees, while common throughout Southern California, are notoriously fire-prone. Their oil-rich leaves, shedding bark, and fast-burning wood make them a significant hazard in dry conditions. Similarly, Italian cypress trees are often planted for their vertical aesthetic appeal, but their dense foliage can ignite quickly and burn like a torch. Pines and junipers are also a concern, especially when they drop needles that accumulate as ground fuel. Even palm trees, if not properly trimmed, can catch fire and scatter burning fronds that spread flames rapidly. Homeowners should take a hard look at the species on their property and consider both removal and ongoing maintenance for these high-risk trees.

Insurance-Driven Tree Removals

Insurance-mandated tree removals throughout Ventura County are a definite concern. As wildfire risk intensifies statewide, insurance companies are becoming much more proactive in evaluating the fire risk of properties they cover. For example, you might find a situation where a homeowner is told by their insurer that coverage would be denied or dropped unless specific trees are removed or trimmed to meet defensible space requirements.

As another example, homeowners may be forced to remove several large trees that line the driveway. The insurance company could easily flag them as a severe liability due to proximity to the home and the narrow road that would make emergency access difficult. Homeowners may face cancellation of their insurance policies until dense sections of trees and overhanging branches that reach above the roofline are taken care of. The variety of situations is quite extensive, and there is a clear trend where insurers are enforcing stricter property standards. In many instances, the cost of not complying is the loss of coverage entirely.

Understanding Local Defensible Space Requirements

California law requires property owners in designated High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to maintain defensible space, and these regulations are enforced at the county level. In Ventura County, this typically means clearing flammable vegetation and materials within at least 100 feet of any structure. The zone is broken into two parts: Zone 1, which includes the first 30 feet around a structure, and Zone 2, which extends from 30 to 100 feet.

In Zone 1, dead plants and debris must be removed, tree limbs should be trimmed at least 10 feet from structures, and flammable plants should be replaced with fire-resistant alternatives. In Zone 2, the focus is on reducing fuel load by thinning vegetation, trimming tree canopies, and spacing shrubs and other plants to reduce the chance of fire jumping between them. Ventura County also enforces guidelines around maintaining clearance near roads, driveways, and property lines, especially in communities with shared risk. Requirements can vary based on terrain, vegetation type, and neighborhood density, so it’s important to stay updated with the Ventura County Fire Department’s annual standards.

How Greene Tree Care Can Help

At Greene Tree Care, we stay informed on these regulations and can walk property owners through exactly what they need to do to achieve compliance. Our land clearing services are designed to meet and exceed local requirements. We remove brush, trim trees to maintain safe vertical and horizontal clearance, and eliminate ladder fuels (low-hanging branches that allow fire to climb from ground level into the canopy).

We also help homeowners understand how to maintain defensible space year-round, rather than waiting for inspections or warnings. In some cases, we can even coordinate with fire safety inspectors or provide documentation that helps with insurance reinstatement or premium reduction.

Balancing Safety With Tree Health and Aesthetics

Creating defensible space is not just about cutting down trees. It’s about managing the landscape in a way that preserves its beauty and functionality while reducing fire risk. Well-planned tree trimming can preserve healthy, mature trees that provide shade and value, while removing only what is hazardous or non-compliant.

For larger properties, our tree mapping and inventory service provides a clear, accessible record of every tree on site, including service history and species identification. This helps with long-term planning, budgeting, and tracking changes over time, especially for HOAs, estates, and agricultural properties.

Take Action Before the Next Fire Season

Ultimately, protecting your home starts with smart, proactive decisions about the land around it. With the growing intensity of wildfire seasons, taking the time to create defensible space is no longer optional. It’s essential. From knowing which trees to trim or remove, to understanding local ordinances and working with your insurance provider, every step plays a role in safeguarding your home and your future.

If you’re unsure about your property’s compliance or want a professional assessment of your fire risk, Greene Tree Care is here to help. We’ve served Ventura County for more than three decades, and we understand the unique challenges of tree management in wildfire-prone areas. Give us a call at (805) 484-9900 or request an estimate online. Our team of skilled arborists is ready to help you create a safer, more defensible property without sacrificing the natural beauty that makes your home special.