Rain in Northern California can be a blessing and a beast. We need it, sure—but too much of it can really mess with your trees. Waterlogged soil, high winds, falling limbs… it’s not exactly a relaxing time if you’ve got mature trees close to your house. That’s where we come in.

At Sam’s Tree Service, we’ve been through more wet winters than we can count. Whether you’re in Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, or out in the country, these tips will help keep your property (and your peace of mind) intact.

And if you end up needing tree service in Santa Rosa or the surrounding area, call Sam’s!

1. Take a Walk Around Your Yard Before the Storm

This one’s easy and totally worth it. Before the big rains hit, take a walk around your property. Look up. Look down. Are your trees leaning more than usual? Any big limbs look dead or cracked? Spotting a problem early can mean the difference between calling us for routine tree service in Santa Rosa—or calling us in a panic after a limb crashes onto your shed.

2. Prune Smart, Not Just for Looks

Winter storms don’t care how “natural” your tree looks. If it’s got too much weight on one side or dead branches hanging around, it’s a hazard. Strategic pruning helps reduce that wind resistance and keeps trees balanced. Plus, it just makes them healthier overall.

Now, if you’ve got trees near power lines—please don’t DIY that. We’re Cal OSHA certified for that kind of work and know exactly how to handle it safely. We’ve seen too many near-misses to take it lightly.

3. Keep an Eye on Your Soil

The ground around your trees matters big time. After days of rain, all that nice firm soil can turn to mush, and that makes it easier for trees (especially older or shallow-rooted ones) to start leaning or fall. Clay soil (which a lot of Santa Rosa has) holds onto water like crazy, so pay attention.

If a tree looks like it’s shifting, or you see the roots starting to pop up out of the ground, it’s time to call a professional tree service company.

4. Mulch Helps But Don’t Overdo It

We love mulch. Trees love mulch. But mulch can trap excess moisture in the rainy season if it’s piled too thick or too close to the trunk. Keep it about 2–4 inches deep and make sure it’s not touching the base of the tree. Think donut, not volcano.

5. Young Trees Need a Little Backup

Just planted a tree in the fall? First off—nice work. But that little guy’s going to need support. Prop it up with stakes and keep an eye on how it’s handling the rain and wind.

Also: Keep an eye on the root system, waterlogged roots can get root rot if you have poor drainage or excess rain.

6. Have a Plan for Emergencies

Storm hits. Tree falls. Now what? That’s when you want to already know who to call. We offer 24/7 emergency tree removal, and we’re fast, safe, and experienced.

Save our number—you don’t want to be Googling “tree service Santa Rosa” when a tree’s already leaning on your roof.

Take Care Now, Avoid Problems Later – Sam’s Tree Service

Need help figuring out what your trees need before winter really hits? Just give us a call. We’re here, rain or shine.

📞 Sam’s Tree Service — Your Local Experts in Tree Service, Santa Rosa and Beyond
From rainy day prep to emergency cleanup, we’ve got your back.

Call us today at 707-293-6930 or contact us online now to get started!