Saturated fall soil is one of the main reasons healthy-looking trees blow over in western Washington windstorms. Once the rains settle in across Snohomish and King County, soaked ground loses much of its grip on roots.
Douglas firs, western hemlocks, and red alders in shallow or compacted soil are the most prone to uprooting. Warning signs include soil cracking or mounding on one side of the base, a new or worsening lean, roots lifting from the ground, and water that never drains around a large tree. Large trees near homes, driveways, and power lines deserve the closest attention.
Trees left standing alone after nearby clearing or new construction are also far more exposed than they were before. Wind exposure can change quickly when neighboring trees come down. Arbor Vet Tree Service assesses at-risk trees ahead of the strongest winter winds and handles removals safely when they are needed.
#TreeSafety #Windthrow #SnohomishCounty #KingCounty
A real photo of a large conifer with lifted or cracked soil at the base, or an uprooted tree showing the root plate after a storm. A crew member pointing out the soil mound during an assessment also works. Authentic job photos strongly outperform stock images.
Canva text suggestion: "Soaked Soil Lets Go of Roots" or "Check the Base, Not Just the Branches"