Month: July 2026

How to Tell if Your Tree is Thirsty: A Guide for St. George Homeowners

Garden , , ,

Summer is the hardest time for trees in St. George. With temperatures often over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and rainfall around 8 inches per year, trees have a hard time. The majority of tree loss reported by St. George tree services during the summer is often attributed to undetected or untreated drought stress.

The Most Common Struggles Trees Face in St. George

Desert climates are intense and are getting worse each year. With compacted alkaline soil, trees in St. George have trouble absorbing moisture. Plus, St. George gets even hotter with the reflection of the heat off the pavement. Tree services in St. George see this major issue each summer when trees that are completely healthy in April become almost completely dead by July.

Signs of Drought Stress in Trees

Look for the following signs of drought stress in your trees between June and September:

  • Leaf Scorch – Leaves with brown and crispy edges but remain green in the center.
  • Permanent Wilting – If leaves droop in the morning, it’s a sign of distress, not simply a reaction to afternoon heat.
  • Summer Leaf Drop – Leaves dropping in the summer is a sign of survival.
  • New Growth – If the new growth is small and shriveled, the tree is rationing.
  • Branch Dieback – If tree branches are dying, the tree is sacrificing branches to protect the center.
  • Bark Damage – If the bark is cracked or peeling, it is a sign of drought.

If you see multiple signs, take action immediately.

Things To Consider Before Calling a Professional

It’s more efficient to deep water than to use a sprinkler system every day. Water the drip line for 30-60 minutes every 7-10 days. 3–4-inch applications of mulch will greatly reduce water loss to evaporation.  Make sure mulch is not touching the trunk. Don’t fertilize trees that are showing signs of stress. Fertilizing will promote tree growth, increasing the tree’s water needs. For advanced care, a tree service in St. George will help you evaluate moisture issues in the root system and suggest deep root care.

Don’t Wait for It to Be Too Late

Trees under drought stress will have reduced levels of defense and become susceptible to insect and fungal attacks. After a tree has been infected by other insects, it is too late to save the tree. A professional tree service in St. George will help you find the problems and provide care before it is too late. If your trees display any of the above symptoms, get a professional evaluation as soon as possible, before the summer is over.

Why Attic Insulation and Ventilation Matter More than Your Shingles

Home Repair , , , , ,

Homeowners usually assess roofs based on what’s visible from the exterior. The brand, warranty, and color of roof shingles are what most homeowners spend time evaluating. However, experienced Park City roofing companies know what can really ruin a roof in the long run, and it’s not what’s on the exterior to see – it’s what’s going on in the attic.

The Attic Sets the Rules

The attic will dictate how effective the roof shingles will be. Heat and moisture build up in a poorly insulated and poorly ventilated attic. Premium shingles won’t even be significant in that situation. Attic temperatures can exceed 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Shingles fracture and begin to lose their granules. When shingles lose their granules, they lose effectiveness. Heated indoor air escaping through the attic causes the snow on the roof to melt. The melted snow then refreezes on the roof. This causes ice dams, a common issue for Park City roofing companies due to the volume of snow.

Insulation: Your First Line of Defense

Attic insulation prevents heated air from escaping the living space and protects the roof from the damaging effects of the freeze-thaw cycles. For roof companies in Park City, the first step in the assessment process is the attic, not the roof.

Ventilation: The Second Half of the Equation

Lack of ventilation can be just as harmful as insufficient insulation. A combination of soffit intake vents and ridge exhaust vents creates a balanced system that keeps attic air circulation moving. This system removes stale air and heat in the summer and moisture in the winter. If ventilation is deficient, condensation will start to collect on the cold surfaces of the attic. This will create an environment where mold can feed on and rot the house’s wood structures. This will happen long before the roof shows any signs of wear. A good Park City roofing company will check the ventilation balance as part of their inspection, not just the materials on the roof’s outer layer.

Conclusion

Having a poor attic environment means the money spent on new roof shingles is not addressing the main problem and is therefore wasted. Keeping your attic and roof in balance can extend your roof’s life by 5 to 10 years. Before you decide to replace your roof, contact a Park City roofing company to inspect the attic, as this is where the roof’s true condition is assessed.