Bringing Sexy Back Into Your Yards 
Severe weather in the Bay Area can hit fast and hard, bringing with it strong winds, heavy rains, and unexpected storms. These conditions can wreak havoc on trees, causing broken branches, uprooting, and even major property damage. And while trees may appear strong, they can have hidden vulnerabilities that make them more susceptible to extreme weather.
This is why tree evaluation is so important. A professional, certified arborist can assess your trees’ overall health and structural integrity, spotting issues that might not be obvious to the untrained eye. By getting an evaluation before storm season, you can prevent potential damage, protect your property, and keep your trees healthy all year long.
What Is a Tree Evaluation?
A tree evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of a tree’s health and structural integrity performed by a certified arborist. The goal is to identify potential risks and weaknesses that could lead to damage, especially during severe weather. Evaluations help tree owners understand the current condition of their trees and offer insight into the best care practices.
During the evaluation, an arborist inspects several key elements:
- Structural Integrity: Arborists assess the overall strength of the tree, including its trunk, branches, and limb attachments. They look for cracks, weak points, and signs of decay that might cause the tree or branches to fail during high winds or storms.
- Root Health: A tree’s roots are its foundation. An arborist checks for root damage, poor soil drainage, and signs of root rot or disease. Healthy roots are crucial for stability, especially in saturated soils during the rainy season.
- Disease and Pest Detection: The arborist will also examine the tree for any signs of disease, pest infestations, or fungal infections, which can weaken the tree over time. Early detection allows for timely intervention, preventing further damage.
The benefits of having an early tree evaluation before severe weather are substantial. It helps you catch issues before they become hazards, reducing the risk of property damage and ensuring the safety of your home and surrounding areas. Additionally, early evaluations allow time for necessary treatments, pruning, or reinforcement, setting your trees up for long-term health and resilience.
Common Tree Hazards in the Bay Area
In the Bay Area, severe weather conditions such as storms, high winds, and heavy rains can expose trees to significant stress, leading to potential failures. Here are some common problems that make trees vulnerable during these weather events:
- Weak Branches: Over time, branches can become weak due to disease, decay, or poor growth patterns. These weakened limbs are prone to snapping under the pressure of strong winds or heavy rain, posing a risk to property and people.
- Root Issues Due to Soil Saturation: During heavy rainfall, the soil can become oversaturated, especially in areas with poor drainage. This can weaken a tree’s root system, reducing its ability to anchor the tree and making it more likely to topple in strong winds or storms.
- Trees Growing Too Close to Structures: Trees planted too close to homes, power lines, or other structures are at high risk during severe weather. Branches can break and damage roofs, windows, or power lines, and a tree with poor structural stability might even fall onto a building.
Vulnerable Tree Species in the Bay Area:
- Oak Trees: While strong and long-lived, oaks can develop root issues in waterlogged soils and may suffer from limb failure if not regularly pruned.
- Redwoods: Though typically resilient, young redwoods with shallow root systems may be at risk of toppling in storms, particularly in areas with saturated soils.
- Eucalyptus Trees: Fast-growing and large, eucalyptus trees are known for shedding limbs during high winds, making them a common hazard in urban areas.
Addressing these hazards through regular tree evaluations can help mitigate the risk of tree failure during severe weather, protecting both your property and the long-term health of your trees.
Why Hire a Certified Arborist?
A certified arborist is a trained professional who specializes in the care and maintenance of trees. They undergo rigorous education and certification processes, often through organizations like the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Their qualifications include in-depth knowledge of tree biology, proper pruning techniques, disease identification, and risk management, ensuring that they can accurately assess the health and safety of trees.
Certified arborists use specialized tools and techniques for precise tree evaluation. They may use resistograph drills to assess internal decay or sonic tomography to map a tree’s internal structure without causing harm. Additionally, arborists utilize tools like pole pruners for safe trimming, and root collar excavations to evaluate the health of the root system. These advanced techniques help arborists detect hidden issues that could pose risks during storms or high winds.
Hiring a certified arborist ensures that your trees are evaluated and maintained by a professional who understands the complexities of tree health. They provide accurate, long-term solutions to potential hazards, ensuring both the safety of your property and the health of your trees. This expertise is crucial in preventing accidents, especially in regions like the Bay Area, where severe weather can cause significant tree damage. By hiring a certified arborist, you’re investing in the long-term care of your trees while protecting your home and neighborhood.
When Should You Get a Tree Evaluation?
The best time to schedule a tree evaluation is before the storm season, which typically occurs in late fall or early winter in the Bay Area. This timing allows certified arborists to identify potential hazards, such as weak branches or root issues before severe weather hits. Evaluating your trees ahead of storms reduces the risk of branches breaking or trees toppling during high winds or heavy rain.
However, periodic evaluations throughout the year are also highly beneficial—not just before severe weather. Seasonal changes, such as spring growth or summer droughts, can introduce new stress to trees, and routine assessments help maintain their long-term health. Regular check-ups also ensure that any early signs of disease or structural weakness are caught before they develop into major issues.
There are also clear warning signs that indicate a tree may need immediate attention. These include:
- Cracks in the trunk: Splits or cracks in the bark can indicate internal decay or structural instability, which increases the risk of tree failure.
- Leaning trees: If a tree begins to lean noticeably, especially after heavy rainfall, it could signal root instability or soil issues.
- Dead or decaying branches: Deadwood is more prone to breaking, especially in windy conditions, and can be hazardous to nearby property or people.
- Mushrooms or fungal growth at the base: This is often a sign of root rot, which can weaken the tree’s foundation.
By addressing these concerns early through a thorough tree evaluation, you can protect your property and ensure the continued health of your trees.
Benefits of Early Tree Evaluation Before Severe Weather
Conducting an early tree evaluation before severe weather hits offers several critical benefits:
1. Preventing Costly Damage to Property
Trees with hidden structural weaknesses—such as decaying limbs or unstable root systems—are highly vulnerable to storm damage. By evaluating trees early, arborists can identify and mitigate these risks, preventing branches from falling or trees from uprooting. Early intervention saves property owners from expensive repairs to homes, vehicles, or nearby structures that could otherwise be damaged by falling debris.
2. Ensuring Safety for Your Home and Neighborhood
Safety is a major concern when it comes to storm-damaged trees. Weak or unstable trees can collapse under pressure, endangering not only your property but also neighboring homes, pedestrians, and power lines. Early tree evaluations allow for preventive measures like pruning or removal of hazardous trees, reducing the likelihood of accidents during storms.
3. Promoting Long-Term Tree Health and Preventing Disease
Evaluating trees before the stress of severe weather ensures early detection of diseases, pest infestations, or decay that might weaken a tree. By addressing these issues promptly, you not only protect the tree from storm damage but also promote its overall health, enabling it to thrive long-term. Preventive care, such as treating root rot or pruning diseased branches, helps trees maintain resilience against future environmental stresses.
By investing in early tree evaluations, you not only protect your property but also contribute to the safety and health of your community.
Prepare Your Trees Now to Avoid Future Damage
Scheduling a tree evaluation or tree risk assessment with a certified arborist before severe weather strikes is one of the best ways to safeguard your property. Early evaluations identify structural weaknesses, disease, or root issues that could lead to serious damage when storms hit. Proactive care helps ensure the safety of your home, your neighborhood, and the long-term health of your trees.
Don’t wait for severe weather to reveal hidden tree hazards—take action now. Sexy Trees offers expert tree evaluations and professional care, ensuring your trees are storm-ready and healthy. Contact Sexy Trees today for a tree assessment and protect your property before the next storm rolls in.