Twin Trees

[Hiker9]

I am doing some thinning near my home for fire protection and due to drought conditions. Part of the intent is to provide more moisture for the remaining trees.
Does removing one of two twin trees harm the remaining one?
If they are not twinned but very close does it harm the remaining one?
The ones in the photos are Incense Cedar.






 

My location is in the Northern California mountains at about 3700' elevation. We are currently in the Extreme Drought (D3) category which is one level below the highest level.

[clearcut]

Incense cedar is not much of a sprouter, so it is likely those would have generated from separate seeds. 

You should be able to cut the 2 smaller stems with only positive impact, less competition, on the remaining tree. 

[WDH]

Wait until winter when the trees are dormant to to it. 

[Hiker9]

Wait until winter when the trees are dormant to to it.

Would like to do it soon due to fire risks. What is the concern to not waiting till dormant?

[WDH]

Most pruning and shaping is done when dormant.  May not matter much in your case if the stems are separate plants.