In this Palo Alto article, George Reno from Davey's Menlo Park office talks about how excess salt in soil can cause 'salt stress,' damaging trees overtime.

Posted: April 21, 2026

The tops of a few palm trees.Much of the Midpeninsula’s soil contains naturally occurring salt, a result of its proximity to the San Francisco Bay, which can quietly damage trees over time. Coastal flooding, storm surge and even the use of recycled irrigation water can introduce additional salt into soils and onto foliage. The result is a lesser-known but serious threat: salt stress.

Salt affects trees by interfering with their ability to absorb water and nutrients. When salt accumulates in the soil, it draws moisture away from roots, making it harder for trees to stay hydrated even when the ground appears moist. Over time, this can mimic drought conditions, weakening trees and leaving them more vulnerable to pests and disease.

To continue reading George's advice, click here.

For more information, please contact the Menlo Park office. 

The Davey Tree Expert Company provides research-driven tree services, grounds maintenance and environmental and utility infrastructure consulting for residential, utility, commercial and environmental partners in the U.S. and Canada. Established in 1880 and headquartered in Kent, Ohio, Davey has over 12,000 employees who create and deliver sustainable solutions. Davey continues to grow through expertise with the SEED Campus, its newest commitment to training, research and safety. Become part of the Davey legacy by applying today and join one of the top ten largest employee-owned companies in the U.S.

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