California's risk of wildfires is almost year round now. An important step property owners can take is to be proactive with their landscape and trees. Here’s what you can do seasonally to reduce your risk of wildfire.
Winter
Check property for dead trees, especially those infested with bark beetles, and remove those trees.
Clear dense undergrowth.
Trim up trees for vertical clearance as part of your home’s defensible space.
If you’re planting trees this spring, plan ahead now and plant locally native trees.
Spring
Prepare defensible space.
Remove any dead and bark beetle-infested trees.
Bark beetles are most active now and in summer—be careful not to damage remaining trees as fresh wood attracts beetles.
If possible, remove freshly cut wood. Otherwise, cover, lop or chip infested wood—and do not place near healthy trees.
Following an extended period of little to no rain, sparingly water high-value trees.
Now is the time to plant new trees, as long as irrigation is available.
Also consider planting fire resistant ground cover like ice plant and succulents.
Summer
Follow spring guidelines as beetles are very active in summer as well.
Be especially careful with power tools—one spark can start a wildfire. If planting trees in fall, plan ahead now and plant locally native trees.
Fall
If planting trees, wait until the weather cools and fall rains have increased soil moisture.
Now is one of the best times to remove dead and dying trees, and dense undergrowth.
Water high-value trees only if significantly less than average rainfall this season; otherwise, do not water.
New trees will need extra water until their roots are established.
Need help? Since 1998, our professional arborists and tree trimmers have been providing professional tree services to residential and commercial customers throughout Southern California. To see all of our services, click here.
Whether you are remodeling your home or starting completely over, mature trees add value to a property and need special protection during construction. It is not just the trunk that needs to be protected, most damage occurs below ground.
Heavy machinery can be detrimental to a tree's root system and depending on the type of tree, roots can be shallow and extend quite far. Rolling equipment, even if it passes only a few times, can compact soil and roots too densely and be harmful to the health of the tree. Excavating or adding too much soil can also damage roots.
A study done by forestry agents at the Alabama Cooperative Extension and mentioned in the National Garden Association's article 'Protecting Trees During Construction' came up with some low cost solutions:
"Fencing off the critical root zone -- the area around the tree where roots are most vulnerable to damage from soil compaction -- is key. But where constraints exist that make such fencing off impossible, the foresters discovered some simple ways to lessen the impact of heavy machinery. They found, for example, that simply spreading mulch 8 inches deep and covering it with 3/4 inch plywood distributed the weight of the equipment driving over enough to greatly reduce the amount of soil compaction below." Our Pacific Vista Tree Service' staff are experts with all types of trees. We can estimate a tree's root system diameter and depth as well as prepare the area with mulch for protection if fencing is not an option. Let us help keep your trees healthy for upcoming years of enjoyment long after the construction is over!
Trees in an urban environment are susceptible to many forms of stress including; wind, rain, disease and pest damage. These stresses can be minimized by implementing a routine maintenance program for trees.
Often by the time a tree shows outward signs of distress like early loss of leaves or decay, the underlying issue has already progressed to the late stages.
As experts in local conditions and tree problems, Pacific Vista Landscape Service managers meet with property-owners to provide tree and shrub inspections. This process is invaluable in uncovering issues before they cause serious damage.
Our professionals will provide your property with a complete inventory of all trees and organize these trees on a multiple year tree care plan. We will place the trees on an appropriate frequency to best suit a given species.
A proper tree care program will allow fluid growth patterns and wind penetration. This will condition your trees for long term healthy development.
All of our pruning practices are based upon the International Society of Arboriculture industry standards.
Since 1998, our professional arborists and tree trimmers have been providing professional tree services to residential and commercial customers throughout Southern California.
Call us for a free assessment of your trees today! 661-222-7525
