It is worth taking a good look at the trees on your property and asking yourself if they are a potential risk. For those in the wooded parts of El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento or Amador County, the onset of fire season can be a source of unease. And one may not always be certain of what to be on the lookout for until it is an issue.

We of Tailored Tree Inc., a family-run tree service out of El Dorado Hills, put that to rest for homeowners and businesses in the region by making their properties fire-ready. A phone call to (916) 249-2553 will get you in touch with us about your trees.

You have only to know how to read them to see the story your trees tell; that is where fire readiness comes from. The following are some warning signs pointing to the need for clearing.

Dead or Dying Trees and Limbs

There is no mistaking that dead wood is dry and will burn quickly. Should you come across any trees or limbs with no new growth, bark that has turned brittle or leaves gone out of season, consider it a hazard in the making.

Tell-tale signs of a tree in decline:

• Branches left bare in the growing season
• Bark peeling or coming off in pieces
• Fungus or mushrooms at the trunk
• Any dead limbs overhanging the driveway or roof
• A tree with more of a lean than before
• Rot or hollowness

Take care of these ahead of fire season and you remove the fuel for a fast-moving blaze.

Trees in Close Proximity to Structures

Distance is an excellent defense, yet too many homes in this area were sited with trees planted right up against the house, garage or other outbuildings. An overhanging branch is all it takes to bring the flames to the roof, while thick growth on a wall is an open invitation for fire to move inside.

When the canopy of a tree is touching your home or hanging over the roofline, it is time to make arrangements for some clearing. You will want to do the same for any trees encroaching on your deck, shed or fence line.

An Overgrown, Dense Canopy

Firefighters will tell you that when trees are bunched up and their branches interlock, you have a continuous fuel path. With nothing to impede them, flames will readily pass from one to the other. By thinning and putting some space between your trees you deny the fire an avenue to spread.

Your lot is too dense if:

• The ground is in such heavy shade the cover does not dry out
• There is scant room from one tree to the next
• It is hard to make your way through the woods on your property
• Overlapping canopies keep the sun off the ground

Debris and Ladder Fuels

A ground fire can be contained until it has something to climb on, such as low shrubs, dead material and underbrush – ladder fuels that carry it up into the canopy where it is much more of a problem.

Examine the base of your trees. Dry brush, fallen limbs and low-hanging branches are all ladders for a fire. Put in a break by raising the height of the lower branches and cleaning up the debris so a ground fire does not become a crown fire.

Power Lines and Driveways

Not only are trees that grow into power lines a fire danger, they stand in the way of emergency crews. When your driveway is overgrown or a road blocked, a fire truck cannot get in and your family cannot get out.

Any sign of branches making inroads on utility lines or constricting access to the property should be dealt with without delay.

The Value of Local Experience

From Lake Tahoe down to Sutter Creek and Jackson, we work with communities in Shingle Springs, Lincoln, Roseville, Folsom, Placerville and Sacramento. We are familiar with the terrain and the kind of fire risks one faces in this part of California.

Our portfolio includes residential and commercial work of all types, and we have put together custom tree and garden designs for a number of the local wineries, so we can see to the safety of the property without sacrificing its appearance.

We are here 24/7 and will provide a free estimate so there are no surprises. When a hazardous tree needs to come down entirely, our tree removal service handles the job safely.

Do not put it off until fire season is upon you if you have seen any of the above on your property. To have a fire-ready property, call our family-owned team at Tailored Tree Inc., (916) 249-2553, for an estimate and let us help you put your mind at ease.