At Giron Tree Life Service, I help homeowners across the Inland Empire cut wildfire risk around their homes and businesses. I work out of Moreno Valley and cover the entire IE with one clear idea: less fuel, more peace of mind. When I visit a property, I walk the perimeter, check slope, wind exposure, vegetation continuity, and access for emergency vehicles. From there, I build a plan by zones (0–5 ft, 5–30 ft, 30–100 ft) and get to work.
There’s a line I repeat on every job: “A house won’t burn if the fire can’t find anything to eat.” That’s why I prioritize removing fine fuels near structures, lifting tree canopies to break ladder fuels, and doing chip & haul so everything is clean the same day.
What “defensible space” means—and why it matters here
Defensible space is the managed area around your home that slows fire spread and makes firefighting safer. In the Inland Empire—dry summers, dense brush, and shifting winds—creating that buffer is a big deal.
From experience, the three practical goals are:
- Separate fuel from structures (home, sheds, fences, vehicles, tanks).
- Break the fire ladder (grasses → shrubs → tree crowns).
- Secure access and visibility for emergency crews.
On a typical visit in Riverside or San Bernardino, I first look at roofs and gutters, the base of walls, wood porches, and deck edges. I scan for leaf build-up along fences, firewood stacks touching walls, or branches rubbing the house—all perfect “fuses.” Then I check driveways, visible address numbers, hose reach, and wind-prone corners where embers tend to collect.
I’ve seen properties transform with simple moves: shifting the woodpile 30–50 ft away, swapping a flammable hedge for gravel, and lifting crowns 8–10 ft above grade where branches used to hang over the roof.
What we do on your property (Tree Service for Defensible Space)
I deliver a full tree service package for defensible space—clean-up, pruning, thinning, and debris handling. I organize work by zones so it’s clear and measurable.
0–5 ft: clear the fine fuels
Goal: nothing immediately flammable right against the building.
My field checklist here:
- Remove dry leaves, straw, pine needles, and weeds against foundations.
- Clear wall bases, porches, ramps; check under decks.
- Pull back pots, patio furniture, and firewood from the walls.
- Check gutters and downspouts; if reachable, I leave them free of debris.
- Create an inert ring (gravel or mineral soil) if you want a permanent buffer.
In this strip I like to say: “if you can walk barefoot without getting poked, fire can’t run either.” It’s a great visual cue that 0–5 ft is in good shape.
5–30 ft: pruning, thinning, and crown spacing
Goal: break horizontal and vertical fuel continuity.
What I include:
- Canopy lifting to cut ladder fuels (low branches that connect to ground fuels).
- Selective shrub thinning; keep grouped plants with spacings, remove dead material.
- Separate crowns so fire can’t leap tree-to-tree.
- Open sightlines and lanes from driveways and exits.
On a job in Rancho Cucamonga, lifting crowns to ~8–10 ft and opening visual lanes to the road made the property feel safer and more manageable overnight.
30–100 ft: vegetation management and access
Goal: a tired fire arriving at your line doesn’t pick up steam.
What I do:
- Brush clearing and density reduction to lower total fuel load.
- Improve roads and turn-around radii; remove limbs intruding on access.
- Relocate or reduce yard debris piles to safer, ventilated areas.
- Where it helps, create fuel breaks with mineral materials (paths, gravel strips).
In Murrieta I tackled a steep slope with dense chaparral. Alternating “green islands” and “mineral islands” kept wind from turning the whole slope into a fuse.
Chip & Haul: leave it clean the same day
I’m not a fan of “we’ll haul it later” piles. I chip on site what’s smart to keep and haul away the rest the same day or as scheduled. That reduces future ignition points and hands you a usable yard right after we finish.
Honestly, chip & haul is the 20% that delivers 80% of the peace: wake up next day and there’s no visible hazard staring back at you.
How I work (assessment, plan, execution)
- Free assessment: we walk the property together, mark critical points, and set zone-by-zone goals.
- Clear plan & quote: I outline tasks, any equipment, and timelines—transparent about what we will and won’t do.
- Safe, orderly execution: start at 0–5 ft, work outward. We coordinate parking, access, and hours to keep your day running.
- Handover & upkeep: we wrap with a simple annual plan (pre-season tune-up) and practical reminders.
My operating motto: “less fuel, more peace of mind.” Reduce the burnables, break the ladder, and real risk drops.
Timing & upkeep before fire season
What works best year after year:
- Late winter / early spring: full review, sanitation pruning, refresh the 0–5 ft, and plan 5–30 / 30–100 ft.
- Early summer: quick pass for regrowth and gutter check.
- After wind events: look for hanging limbs and debris build-up in corners.
Red flags I ask clients to watch:
- Branches touching the roof or utilities (call me—don’t DIY near lines).
- Weeds bouncing back faster than usual (seed-heavy soils).
- “Temporary” stacks of trimmings. I’ll push for chipping or removal—no procrastination fuel.
Service area: from Moreno Valley across the Inland Empire
Based in Moreno Valley, I cover the Inland Empire: Riverside, San Bernardino, Corona, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Redlands, Yucaipa, Murrieta, Temecula, Hemet, Perris, Beaumont, Banning, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, Rialto, Colton, Upland, Chino, and nearby areas. Don’t see your city? Ask and I’ll confirm route and scheduling.
FAQs: Defensible Space & Tree Service
What’s included in a defensible space service?
Zone-based assessment, fine-fuel removal, canopy lifting, selective thinning, crown spacing, slope/brush management, chip & haul, and a simple maintenance plan.
How often should I maintain it?
At least once a year, with a pre-season pass. Windy sites or heavy regrowth often benefit from two visits.
Can we do the work in stages?
Yes. We start 0–5 ft, then 5–30 ft, then 30–100 ft—so you see real progress without disrupting your routine.
What happens to the debris?
I chip what makes sense to keep and haul the rest per plan. The goal is a clean, usable yard at wrap-up.
Do you work with HOAs and commercial properties?
Yes. I adjust hours, access, and logistics to minimize impact on residents and customers.
Which areas do you cover?
Moreno Valley and the broader Inland Empire (see the service-area list above). Ask if you’re nearby.
How do you price jobs?
By scope and site conditions (access, slope, density, haul distance). I provide a clear quote after the free assessment.