As winter approaches, the memory of last year’s heavy rainstorms that wreaked havoc on the region still lingers. However, amidst the uncertainty and challenges brought by the wintery weather, there are actions you can take now to prepare your trees for storm season. With the right preparation, you can protect your trees and homes to give them the best chance of standing strong in the face of another round of winter storms.

How to prepare: 

Pruning 

The right pruning is one of the best ways to promote tree health and prevent future damage to both your trees and home. Having your tree regularly pruned for strong structure will decrease the chance of damage due to fallen limbs.  

• Pruning young trees – Help your young trees get through the storms by checking that stakes are still firmly anchored in the ground and that ties are still supporting the trunk without being too restrictive. Winter is a perfect time for you to prune your young trees for good structure that will help them survive future storms. 
• Pruning mature trees – Have mature trees inspected by an ISA Certified Arborist and pruned if necessary to remove end weight on branches and address any structural issues (this can be done any time of year). 

Watering 

Throughout the year, give trees just the right amount of water to keep them healthy. 

Mulch responsibly

Keep mulch and fallen leaves raked away from the base of the trunk to prevent the base of the tree from rotting and compromising the tree’s integrity. 

Skip the fertilizer

Don’t fertilize your trees unless there is a specific nutrient deficiency to address – faster growth can lead to weaker wood and attract pests.

Signs to look out for

Even with the best preparation, nature can have plans of its own. Signs of damage caused by winter storms include: 

• Soil lifting up around the base of the tree 
• Tree beginning to lean when it wasn’t leaning before  
•  Cracking or groaning sounds  
•  Broken or hanging large branches  
•  Loose or dangling hardware in trees that have been cabled  

Spot damage? Here’s what to do:

• If you spot a hanging limb or ground that is lifting to one side, stay away 
• Call a certified arborist to inspect your tree 
• Call 311 for emergencies involving a city-owned tree or for any tree blocking a public right-of-way 

Other resources:

Growing a resilient urban forest series

The series is dedicated to sharing our best tips for growing resilient trees that can not only weather intense storms, extreme heat, and drought, but also protect our region from these threats. For over 40 years, the Sacramento Tree Foundation has worked to grow thriving communities through stewardship of our urban forest. In our climate, we depend on trees to make our neighborhoods livable and lovable — but our urban forest also depends on us to help it meet the demands of a changing climate. Here’s our approach, and some tips for residents to grow strong trees today to meet the challenges of tomorrow.   

• Part 1: Species selection 
• Part 2: Right tree, right place 
• Part 3: Healthy roots