FALLBROOK, Calif. -- A man trimming a towering palm tree in a rural North County neighborhood died Friday after heavy palm fronds collapsed around him, a sheriff's official reported.

The accident in the 4300 block of Sleeping Indian Road in Fallbrook was reported about 10:45 a.m., Lt. Sylvester Washington said.

It took emergency crews about three hours to reach the man's perch several stories above the ground. Firefighters pronounced him dead at the scene.

The victim's name was withheld pending notification of his family.