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10 | Four Seasons Hemet Herald | NOVEMBER 2019 | It is the season for trimming trees along Four Seasons Blvd. and other streets and common areas in our community. As part of the contract with Artistic Maintenance, a regular schedule of tree trimming occurs for many reasons. According to Inexpensive Tree Care at https://inexpensivetreecare.com/blog/the-benefits-tree- trimming/, six reasons for trimming trees are listed below: 1. Proper trimming can improve the health of your trees by eliminating branches that are dead or dying. These branches are often dangerous, and removing them reduces the risk of harm to your family and damage your property. This will also prevent further decay. 2. Improves the overall appearance and structure of the tree, keeping it from developing broad or weak branches. Trimming prevents limbs from growing with weak crotches, or eventually crossing each other and competing for space in the crown. 3. Trimming your trees will increase sun exposure and air circulation throughout the tree and underlying landscape, which will improve the tree's health. Just be sure to watch out for signs of sun-scald, which often affects leafless deciduous trees in the winter time. 4. Pruning fruit trees can actually improve the size and quantity of the crop. Fruit trees should be pruned in late winter for shape and to expose the center of the tree to sunlight. 5. Newly planted trees should be pruned to compensate for root loss and to begin training the tree for shape. 6. Tree trimming can also simply open up your property and improve your view." Do you have your trees trimmed on a regular schedule? If not, it is recommended that you have your trees checked by an arborist for safety and their health, as well as meeting our community trimming standards, that can be found in the Architectural Standards and Regulations, on page 16. Keeping our trees in good condition, and reducing the risk of harm and damage to property, are important reasons for regularly scheduled trimmings. The Landscape Committee meets the first Wednesday of the month at 1 pm at the Lodge. Residents are welcome to attend. Landscape Committee Emergency preparedness committee Your Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC) was on alert during the Mid-September Horseshoe Fire in the Lakeview Mountains to the north of Four Seasons. Fortunately there was little wind and Riverside and Cal Fire contained the wildfire quickly. On October 12th some of your EPC and CERT members participated in the Annual Hemet Fire Department Open House at Fire Station #1. Visitors were able to interact with Fire Safety Presentations, an antique Fire Engine, see a Fire Rescue, the Mercy Air Helicopter and the City of Hemet's Emergency Communications Trailer. Your EPC and CERT members held a BBQ cookout as part of the Great Shake Out exercise on October 17th. The burgers, dogs, chips and camaraderie were enjoyed by all. Oh, there was music too! Our Mission: The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program is designed to increase individual and community preparedness and self-reliance in the event of man-made or natural disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has officially recognized CERT as an important part of a community's disaster preparedness readiness. Four Seasons CERT continues to need your participation. Become a Street Captain or CERT Auxiliary. Step up. Be a part of the best CERT in the valley, come make a difference. For more information visit https://fscert.org/cert-volunteer FEMA and Ready.gov (https://www.ready.gov/wildfire-toolkit) To learn how to get ready, go to https://fscert.org. You can help yourself! Display the blank green sign in your window, it's a convenient place to store your signs and have quick access when you need them in an emergency. Just flip the green sign around if you are "OK" or replace it with the "Need Help" if you are not, so your CERT neighbors can prioritize getting help to you. Plan. Prepare. Survive.