Impacts of Extreme Weather in California
It’s no secret that California just experienced some of the most extreme weather it’s seen in a long time. Tree root systems were already in decline due to the many years of dry weather. Over time, the lack of rainfall has significantly impacted California trees by weakening their root systems and leaving them susceptible to pests and diseases. Though January’s sudden period of heavy rainfall provided some drought relief, a new set of problems has come to the surface – and the original drought concerns haven’t fully gone away.
California trees face additional risks
Potential tree blow-over during high winds
Previously stressed trees with weak root systems and possible insect infestations have now been flooded with excess water that is saturating the soil. When these conditions are combined with high winds, stressed trees are put at higher risk of blowing over. Some California residents and property managers may have observed this on their landscapes during the height of the recent storms. SavATree can help assess the damage, identify trees at risk of blowing over, and help reduce the possibility of further storm damage in the future.
The impacts of drought are still present
The drought conditions in California have been remedied somewhat by the storms, however, trees need multiple consecutive years of adequate rainfall for their root systems to fully recover. A quick green-up after rainfall doesn’t necessarily mean the problem is solved – oftentimes the long-term effects of drought are still impacting the trees below the surface. Roots still may not be able to take up enough nutrients due to their weakened state leading to stunted growth, vulnerability to pests and diseases, and overall poor tree health.
We are here to help. Arborists can do the following to assess and treat stressed trees:
- Risk assessments to determine which trees may be unstable and at risk of blowing over
- Corrective pruning to mitigate storm damage • ArborHealth® fertilization to maintain proper soil nutrients and enhance root development
- ArborBalance, a plant growth regulator that stimulates root growth while slowing shoot growth to control canopy size while tree health is restored
- Preventive treatments during the summer to help trees become more resistant to stressful conditions
