Did your installers say anything about the tree debris when they installed the unit? If it's that abundant they must have noticed it. I'd call and check with them. We don't have that problem with our unit but our installers did remind us to keep the shrubs that are nearby trimmed so as not to interfere with the air flow.

I would worry about stuff falling in for sure but it’s an easy fix. Amazon sells these for 25ish dollars.

Air does need to circulate around it, but if it is covered by a higher pergola that is probably fine. Do have shrubs and trees trimmed back. We used to have problems with pine needles but then the neighbors had the tree removed (although I think it was actually on our property line). Be sure you have preventative maintenance twice per year because they clean ours out.

I had to look it up and I read not to cover the top because that's the out flow I think.

Neetsie, take a look at the link below, you can do that in five minutes considering how great a DIY you are!

A head's up for everyone. We had two units installed at the same time and last week the back of the house got to 90. Great air flow and at night and in the mornings it was cold air. We thought it was the attic heat.

The ac guys came out and the first thing they did was hose off the compressor. Bingo. I was so embarrassed because DH always did that but totally forgot this year.

Here you go Neetsie. I didn't watch the videos but I think you can put a raised screen on top to keep sap and debris out.

So pretty!

Yes, pretty, but potentially mighty expensive. Most A/C makers require at least 30 in of clear space all round, preferably more, for the unit to function and cool itself properly. Those would definitely affect inflow. Go ask the pros at the HVAC forum here.

Garden fencing similar to that doesn't cost much, or if Neetsie knows someone with a saw and hammer, they could build it easily. I would definitely buy a screen used around a/c's to keep debris from coming in and she could hose it off every few days. Nail the screen to the fencing, of course. :)

Neetsie is good at stuff like that.

The picture I posted above is nothing more than a thin mesh screen and an easy fix. I’m going to order one for our a/c today.

My hubby is the manager for an HVAC company and has been in the business for over 40 years.

I showed him the screen... he said he would not recommend it.

Trim the tree back and keep the unit cleared of debris.

There are no bushes around the unit-this tree is huge-it's 40 plus feet tall and spreads out over our roof-the debris falls from the roof.

I think we'll extend the pergola and put a screen over the top-there would be plenty of air circulation around the unit, the pergola would be at least 7 feet above it.

We've had a series of abnormally hot days, above the mid-90's, for the past two weeks, so I'm really grateful for the AC! Even my DH is admitting it's nice to come into a cool house.

Sounds like a good idea, Neetsiepie. But I have to agree with pudgeder because if the tree hangs over your roof, you're looking at major damage to your roof from wind, snow, and ice.

Last winter I was laying in bed after an ice storm and I kept hearing a tree branch scrape back and forth against the roof. DH cut it back but we had to replace a few shingles. Snow and ice are the worst!

I think we'll extend the pergola and put a screen over the top-there would be plenty of air circulation around the unit, the pergola would be at least 7 feet above it.

Yes, there's no way that would impede airflow. Good idea.

I don't know where you live, Neetsie, but I live in Oklahoma. I be a big ol' puddle of butter fat if we didn't have A/C!!!

I just blast ours with the hose every few days. Once we turn it off after summer, I cover it until the next summer.