What to Check on Your Trees After Winter in Fort St. John
Winter in Fort St. John isn’t exactly easy on anything… including your trees.
Between heavy snow, wind, and freezing temps, your trees have probably been through it. And the tricky part is, not all the damage is obvious right away. Some of it shows up later when things start thawing out… or for our second winter in May.
So before you fire up the lawnmower and call it spring, it’s worth taking a few minutes to actually look at what’s going on up there.
Here’s what to keep an eye on:
Broken or Hanging Branches
This is the big one.
Snow gets heavy, branches bend, things crack… and sometimes they don’t fully fall. They just hang there like they’re waiting for the worst possible moment.
What to look for:
Branches hanging lower than usual
Cracks or splits in the wood
Limbs caught up in other branches
If it looks sketchy, it probably is. And it’s a lot better to deal with it now than when it comes down on its own.
Trees That Are Suddenly Leaning
If your tree wasn’t leaning before winter and now it is… that’s worth paying attention to.
Freeze-thaw cycles can mess with the soil and roots, and strong winds don’t help either.
Watch for:
A new lean
Ground lifting around the base
Exposed roots
A slight lean might not seem like a big deal, but it can turn into one if it’s ignored.
Dead or Not Coming Back to Life
Some branches just don’t make it through the winter. It happens.
The problem is, dead branches don’t just sit there quietly. They dry out, get brittle, and eventually fall.
Signs to look for:
No buds while everything else is starting to grow
Dry, snap-easy branches
Bark peeling off
Cleaning up deadwood helps the tree and keeps your yard a little less dangerous.
Weird Looking Stuff
Winter can stress trees out, which makes them easier targets for pests and disease once things warm up.
This is where things can get a bit less obvious.
Keep an eye out for:
Odd spots or discoloration on bark
Fungus or strange growths
Parts of the tree that just look… off
If something looks weird, it’s usually not nothing.
About Pruning
A lot of people assume spring is the perfect time to prune everything.
Not always true.
Some trees handle spring pruning just fine. Others don’t. Timing actually matters more than most people think.
So before you go full Edward Scissorhands on your yard, it’s worth knowing what you’re cutting.
When It’s Time to Call Someone
There’s nothing wrong with handling small stuff yourself.
But if you’re dealing with:
Large branches
Anything near your house or power lines
A tree that looks unstable
Or you’re just not 100% sure
That’s usually the point where it makes sense to bring in a professional.
Final Thoughts
Your trees just made it through another Fort St. John winter. They deserve a quick check before the season really gets going.
Catching small issues now can save you a lot of trouble later. And honestly, it just gives you peace of mind knowing nothing’s about to come crashing down unexpectedly.
If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, or something doesn’t seem right, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to take a look or point you in the right direction.