When a heavy winter storm blows off the bay and hits the Peninsula, property owners find out which trees in their yard are hanging on by a thread. All Things Tree has pulled down plenty of fallen redwoods and split oaks across Menlo Park over the years, and most of those late-night calls could have been avoided with a little preventative upkeep.
Spotting Tree Trouble Before It Drops
Homeowners do not need a degree in arboriculture to notice when a tree is heading downhill. All Things Tree looks for specific signs when walking a property:
- Sudden leaning or fresh cracking in the soil around the root plate.
- Dead branches or hangers caught up in the upper canopy.
- Fungus or mushrooms sprouting near the base, which usually means internal rot.
The Menlo Park clay soils get completely saturated during heavy atmospheric rivers. When the ground turns to mud and high winds kick up in neighborhoods like Sharon Heights or down near the Willows, even massive coast live oaks can tip right over if their root systems are compromised.
Routine Maintenance to Keep Your Yard Safe
Staying ahead of the weather is the best way to avoid needing an emergency crew at two in the morning. Regular trimming keeps heavy canopies balanced so they catch less wind. At All Things Tree, we always tell property owners to clear out deadwood annually and keep an eye on how much weight is sitting out on long lateral limbs.
Irrigation matters too. Many homeowners overwater their mature trees during dry spells, which rots out the anchor roots right when the tree needs them most. Deep, infrequent watering keeps roots driving deep into the ground instead of staying shallow.
When It Is Time to Call a Professional
If a limb is resting on your roof or a major trunk is splitting after a windstorm, do not try to tackle it with a homeowner saw. That is how people get hurt or cause thousands of dollars in extra damage to their siding and fences. Call out a professional crew that has the right rigging gear and experience to safely dismantle unstable wood piece by piece. For Menlo Park properties, All Things Tree provides Tree Service work to keep yards safe.