10/01/2026
Your trees made it through this summer. That does not mean they are safe.
Utah just had its warmest winter on record. Reservoirs sat at 54% full in August. Many maples and aspens are browning early this fall.
Here is the catch. Most trees do not die in the drought year. They die one to two years later. Research found trees keep struggling for 1 to 4 years after a bad drought. California lost 27 million trees the year after its drought ended, in one of its wettest years.
The trees most at risk in the Salt Lake Valley are young ones planted since 2021. Most die because the watering stopped once the rain came back.
What you can do now:
🌳 Keep deep watering this fall and next year
🌳 Add 2 to 4 inches of mulch over the root zone
🌳 Watch for thin crowns, dead tips and early leaf drop
We pulled the real numbers together so you can see what to expect in 2027 and 2028.
Full guide link in comments.
Worried about a tree? Our ISA Certified Arborists can take a look. Call (801) 262-1596.
