If this spring has felt a little “off,” you aren’t imagining it. Here in Davis County, we’ve been dealt a strange hand. A warm winter tricked our trees into waking up early, only for late cold snaps to scorch the fresh growth.
As an arborist, I’m seeing the results firsthand: trees heading into a hot Utah summer already exhausted. When a tree is stressed, it sends out a “dinner bell” to every insect and disease in the valley.
The Myth of the Green Lawn
One of the most common things I tell homeowners is: just because your grass is green doesn’t mean your trees are hydrated.
Grass roots are shallow; they’re like a sponge on the surface. Tree roots are deep and expansive. A 20-minute sprinkler cycle might keep your lawn happy, but it rarely reaches the root zone of a mature shade tree. During a drought, these trees shut down internally to survive. By the time you notice thinning branches, the tree has likely been struggling for months.
What to Watch For
The late freeze forced many trees to use up “emergency” energy stores to push out a second set of leaves. Combined with a lean water supply, this creates a “perfect storm.” I’m currently seeing an uptick in:
Aphids and scale: These pests thrive on thirsty, weakened trees.
Fire blight: Common after the erratic moisture patterns we had this spring.
Ash and maple decline: These species are particularly sensitive to the soil compaction found in our neighborhoods.
Tips for the Season
You don’t need a degree in forestry to protect your property, but you do need to change your strategy this year.
Prioritize trees over turf: Grass can go dormant and bounce back; a mature oak or spruce that dies can take 40 years to replace. If you have to choose where the water goes, give it to the trees.
Deep soak, don’t sprinkle: Give your trees a slow soak once a week. Run a hose on a trickle at the “drip line” — the edge of the branches — to let water sink 12–18 inches deep.
Mulch is key: A 3-inch layer of wood chips around the base acts like a lid on a pot, keeping moisture in the ground.
Avoid summer fertilizing: Forcing new growth with nitrogen on a thirsty tree is like asking a marathon runner to sprint while they’re dehydrated. It usually does more harm than good. Certified arborists often recommend deep root fertilization in spring and fall.
The Value of an Expert Eye
Trees are the most valuable part of your landscape, but they suffer in silence until it’s often too late. If you’ve noticed a thin canopy or unusual spotting, have a certified arborist perform an evaluation. A tree can often be saved through soil conditioning or structural pruning if the decline is caught early. It’s far better to invest in preservation now than to bring in a crane for a removal next year.
Stay cool, and remember: water deep.
