Storms took a toll on Fresno’s urban forest. What to do if your tree needs help

The recent round of Pacific storms took a toll on Fresno’s urban forest, as powerful rainstorms and strong winds took down entire trees and knocked down branches, prompting 1,350 calls for service to the city Public Works Department since Jan. 1.

But Brian Russell, assistant director of Public Works, said crews responded around the clock to the incidents, and indicated that the overall health of the city’s woodlands remains strong.

“We have 24-hour, seven day a week coverage,” he said. “So if there is a limb that falls or a tree that falls, we respond right away.”

The initial response is focused on ensuring safety and clearing streets. If necessary, an arborist conducts a follow-up visit to ensure the tree is safe, Russell added, with the goal of saving damaged trees whenever possible.

“Our goal is to have a strong urban forest.”

Officials said it is likely that some of the trees that were lost during the storms may have been victims of stress caused by multiple years of drought.

Losing a tree can be traumatic, and it it can sometimes be difficult to convince a homeowner that it needs to be removed, said Russell. He added that the goal is to show them what is safe for them and the community.

People who do lose a tree can get a replacement at no cost from the city of Fresno, by contacting the Public Works Department. In response, the city will send a list of approved trees for that location, and plant it at no cost.

It’s still up to the homeowner to water a tree in the park strip in front of their home, however. Russell noted that when some of the city’s trees were planted 100 years ago, that might not have been the case, because the city’s underground aquifer might have been only 20 feet below ground.

Now, that depth is probably close to 100 feet, he added.

The city is asking Fresnans to fill out a survey about the future of its urban forest. Fill it out at fresno.gov/publicworks/tree-survey.