A Love Letter to Post Firestorm-California

During the fires, our hearts were heavy, and we felt the deep pain of watching our communities, landscapes, and homes threatened and devastated.

To our clients, neighbors, and all those affected, please know you are not alone. Our communities and the landscapes we cherish are resilient, and together, we will rebuild and restore what has been lost.  

As a tree healthcare company, we understand the deep connection between people and trees that provide shade, beauty, and a sense of home. In the days ahead, we’re here to support you—whether assessing fire-damaged trees, helping with recovery efforts, or simply offering guidance. Stay safe, and please reach out if we can help in any way.

Sims Tree Health Specialists, Inc.

From the Ashes

It can be hard not to feel beat down with it all. Our communities have, in some cases, literally burned to the ground. 

In one conversation with a client, the only thing standing on their property was the tree we treated. In another conversation, a client’s home was safe, but the trees we’ve cared for were scorched. 

As the Phoenix rises from the ashes in a defiant act of new life, we will rise, too.

Southern California is what ecologists call a "fire-adapted ecosystem," meaning wildfires are a natural and even a necessary part of the region's ecological cycle.

Periodic fires help renew the landscape, clear dead vegetation, and encourage new growth. However, what occurred was far from nature’s usual rhythm. The wildfire that tore through Southern California was no ordinary event — it was a devastating firestorm, fueled by extreme conditions, burning with an intensity and speed that far exceeded what the land was prepared to withstand.

All plants can catch on fire. It’s not reasonable to remove all trees in an effort to remove all risk. We can’t blame the trees for being near our homes, but there are things you can do to help.

How Does a Fire Affect a Tree?

Similar to how a burn victim may suffer, if the vascular system is damaged irreparably, unfortunately, the tree will die. The vascular system, the Xylem (what carries water) and the Phloem (what carries the sugar) is immediately beneath the bark. Trees with thick bark are more fire-resistant than trees with thin bark. Thick bark trees are often Oaks, Pines, and Melaleucas, whereas thin bark trees are often Citrus and Sycamores.

Due to the fire's intense heat, the soil's biology may be damaged, if not killed off. Root loss and soil changes are expected. 

Silver Lining? 

The fire may have freed up nutrients for the tree, which can benefit the soil’s organic layer, turning it into carbon. Adding new biology to the soil may help re-establish its overall health. Consult your Sims ISA Certified Arborist for the best soil healthcare practices.

Some species that have adapted to live in fire-prone areas may not be damaged from the firestorm. Trees like Manzanitas or select Pine species require fire to germinate their seeds. Of course, we don’t recommend ripping out trees and replacing them with “new and better” ones. 

Caring for what we have is essential to cooler heads prevailing.

Post-Fire Stress Mitigation

After a firestorm, trees can be protected against continued stress and infections with certain fire mitigation methods.

Watering is useful to prevent continued stress. Of course, watering cycles always vary from species to species, soil type to soil type. 

Watch for signs that a tree is underwatered. Feel the soil; does it feel like it’s ready to be watered?

Most trees like to soak for a period and then dry. This cycle allows oxygen back into the soil to prevent it from becoming anaerobic. 

If you see large amounts of soot or ash on the leaves, we recommend having a soils test performed to determine the cause of any nutrient imbalances.  

You may be inclined to rinse off the ash or soot from the trees. This isn’t a bad idea but be careful. Avoid rinsing ash off into the soil. 

Anecdotal evidence suggests compost teas and beneficial bacteria may improve soil revitalization after inoculation. We may be tree huggers, but as always, we recommend a soils test to first learn what nutrients are out of balance. 

How We Can Help

As Southern California looks to rebuild, Sims Tree Health Specialists, Inc. (THS) is here to help! With over 50 years of expertise in the field of tree health and safety services, we are equipped to tackle the challenges ahead with you.

Post-Fire Condition Reports are a type of Tree Risk Assessment / Arborist Written Report that can be performed by a Sims ISA Certified Tree Risk Assessor. In the assessment, the Sims Arborist will perform an inspection of the trees, plants, shrubs, and the overall landscape to determine the safety risk of the trees and to offer tree health maintenance recommendations. 

Nutrients and Soil Treatments are available. The Sims Arborist will “prescribe” and apply the appropriate nutritional fertilizers and soil treatments for soil's revitalization and  to encourage healthy new growth.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Clear out fallen leaves and sticks from the base of trees, irrigate plants and look out for your neighbors and yourself. 

Hope is only lost if we invite Despair in. During these difficult times, we encourage you to consult with an ISA Certified Arborist to create an action plan for your trees before a fire. While we hope it’s not the case, ISA Certified Arborists can also create a specialized post-fire plan.

The expert team at Sims Tree Health Specialists, Inc. is here to help. Call the office at 951-685-6662 or learn more online at https://www.simstlc.com/.

About Sims Tree Health Specialists, Inc. 

Sims Tree Health Specialists, Inc. is dedicated to the preservation, education, improved health, and safety of trees. Sims THS has provided California’s Urban Forests with premium healthcare since 1972. To learn more, visit our website: https://www.simsths.com/

Sims THS offers services with our ISA Certified Arborists in the following: 

Diagnosis and Disease Management, Pest Suppression, Organic Solutions, Fruit Suppression, Drought Protection, and Arborist Assessment Reports and Preservation Plans. 

In addition to providing quality tree health services, the Sims family is known for their educational pursuits. In 1996, they started the Sims Tree Learning Center (TLC), a 6-acre botanical garden and research facility sponsored by Sims Tree Health Specialists, Inc. The facility houses multiple types of gardens including a cactus and succulent garden and one of the largest collections of Palms in the Inland Empire. Learn with us!