Rains can cause falling trees

Trees react. When crowded, younger trees will often grow at an angle to escape the shade of larger neighbors. Similarly, trees also react to long drought cycles by growing roots nearer the surface in order to capture available moisture. When heavy rains finally arrive, tree without good deep roots are susceptible to falling. These occurrences result in the entire tree simply uprooting and falling intact. Generally speaking, very old established trees have endured enough drought and flood cycles to have developed a reliable root system. While its not always the case, age is a pretty good indicator of a tree's ability to survive. Failures due to soft, rain-drenched ground often occur without much warning. Take a moment and study the trunks of trees around your home. Get a weekly perspective of the trunk against a fixed object like the corner of your house. If you notice a trunk tilting even slightly, call an arborist. 

There's not much we can do about ending the drought but we can reduce some of the risks by watering properly throughout the year, using fertilizer injections when appropriate, trimming for weight reduction and access to sunlight, and minimizing water, soil, and nutrient competition for our trees. 

Let's pay attention to our trees during these current rains. If you have question, please give me a call: 1(800) CUT-TREE.