As summer winds down and cooler temperatures begin to arrive, it’s easy to think your trees are done needing attention for the year. But August and September are actually important months for tree care in Utah.
After months of intense sun, heat, dry conditions, and summer storms, your trees may be carrying damage or stress that isn’t immediately obvious. Taking a little time now to inspect and care for your trees can help prevent bigger problems once Utah’s fall winds, snow, and winter weather arrive.
At Page’s Professional Tree Service, we’ve been helping homeowners throughout Northern Utah care for their trees for more than 30 years. Here are some of the most important things to check as summer comes to an end.
1. Check Your Trees for Summer Stress
Utah’s hot, dry summers can put significant stress on trees, particularly younger or newly planted trees.
According to Utah State University Extension, drought stress can show up as:
- Wilting or curling leaves
- Leaf scorch or browning
- Premature leaf drop
- Yellowing leaves
- Dead branches or branch tips
- Overall decline in tree health
Don’t assume that a tree is healthy just because it still has plenty of green leaves. Some problems can take time to become obvious.
If you notice dead branches, unusual leaf loss, cracked limbs, or significant dieback, it may be worth having a professional tree service inspect the tree before winter.
2. Keep Watering Your Trees
One of the biggest mistakes Utah homeowners make is assuming trees don’t need much water once temperatures begin cooling down.
While watering needs generally decrease as temperatures fall, trees still need adequate moisture going into fall—especially trees that have experienced a hot, dry summer.
TreeUtah recommends infrequent, deep watering rather than frequent, shallow watering, which encourages deeper root growth. Newly planted trees are especially important to monitor because their root systems are still becoming established.
Avoid simply running your lawn sprinklers and assuming your trees are getting enough water. Tree roots can extend well beyond the trunk, and lawn irrigation doesn’t always provide adequate moisture to the deeper root zone.
3. Look for Dead or Broken Branches
August and September are excellent months to inspect your trees for branches that were damaged during summer.
Look for:
- Dead branches
- Cracked or split limbs
- Broken branches from summer storms
- Branches rubbing against each other
- Limbs growing toward your home or other structures
- Branches hanging over driveways, walkways, or play areas
- Large branches with visible defects
Dead or damaged branches can become more problematic when Northern Utah experiences strong winds, heavy snow, or ice.
However, not every branch should automatically be pruned in the fall. Utah State University Extension recommends avoiding routine fall pruning of fruit trees and ornamental trees. Removing dead, diseased, or hazardous branches is an important exception.
If you’re unsure whether a branch should be removed, it’s better to have an experienced arborist evaluate it rather than making a large pruning cut yourself.
4. Don’t Wait Until the First Snowstorm to Deal With Hazardous Trees
If you already know you have a large dead tree, a severely damaged limb, or a tree that is leaning toward your home, garage, fence, or power lines, don’t put it off until winter.
Northern Utah weather can change quickly. Once snow, ice, or high winds arrive, tree problems can become much more difficult—and dangerous—to deal with.
Getting hazardous trees evaluated ahead of time can give you more options for safely addressing the problem before winter weather makes it worse.
5. Check Trees Near Your Home and Property
Walk around your property and look at your trees from different angles.
Pay particular attention to trees growing close to:
- Your house
- Rooflines
- Garages
- Fences
- Driveways
- Sidewalks
- Play areas
- Vehicles
- Power lines
Branches that seem harmless during calm weather can become a problem when they’re loaded with snow or pushed around by strong winds.
If you have large trees close to your home, a professional inspection can help identify potential hazards before they become an emergency.
At Page’s Professional Tree Service, we provide professional tree trimming, tree removal, stump removal, and crane-assisted tree services throughout Northern Utah.
6. Consider Fall Tree Planting
If you’ve been thinking about adding a new tree to your yard, early fall can be a great time to plant in Utah.
Cooler temperatures can reduce heat stress while giving new trees time to establish roots before the following growing season. TreeUtah and USU Extension both identify fall as a good planting period when temperatures are mild.
Just remember that newly planted trees still need consistent care and adequate water while their root systems become established.
Choosing the right tree for your location is also important. Utah has a wide range of soil types, elevations, climates, and water conditions, so not every tree is a good fit for every property.
7. Don’t Forget About Your Shrubs and Smaller Trees
Late summer is also a good time to take a closer look at the entire landscape.
Shrubs, ornamental trees, and smaller trees can develop dead branches, disease problems, or structural issues just like larger trees.
Taking care of smaller problems now can help prevent them from becoming bigger landscaping headaches later.
When Should You Call a Professional Tree Service?
If you’re not sure whether a tree is healthy, safe, or worth removing, don’t guess.
A professional tree service can evaluate the condition of the tree and help determine whether it needs:
- Tree trimming
- Hazardous limb removal
- Tree removal
- Stump removal
- Tree health treatment
- Structural pruning
- Crane-assisted tree removal
Large trees and branches can be extremely dangerous to work on without the proper equipment and experience. DIY tree work can also result in damage to roofs, vehicles, landscaping, or other property.
Get Your Trees Ready for Fall in Northern Utah
August and September are a great time to take a few minutes and look up at the trees around your property.
After another hot Utah summer, check for drought stress, dead or broken branches, storm damage, and potential hazards. Addressing problems before winter can help protect your home and property while keeping your trees healthier for years to come.
Page’s Professional Tree Service has proudly served homeowners and businesses throughout Weber County, Davis County, Ogden, Roy, Layton, and surrounding Northern Utah communities for more than 30 years.
We provide professional tree trimming, tree removal, stump removal, tree injections, shrub care, lot clearing, planting, landscaping, and crane-assisted tree services.
If you’re concerned about a tree on your property, contact Page’s Professional Tree Service for a free estimate.