In this Palo Alto article, George Reno from Davey's Menlo Park office says what homeowners should know when it comes to flooding and their trees. 

Posted: December 16, 2025

A bank of water against some brush and a bird on a branch.December rains haven’t hit the area yet, but Palo Alto already saw a coastal flood advisory during the king tides at the start of the month. During flood advisories, many homeowners focus on roads, basements and power outages, but standing water can have serious consequences for your trees, as well.

Heavy clay soils throughout the Midpeninsula hold water longer than sandy soils, which means excess moisture can linger around tree roots long after floodwaters recede. Flooded roots can’t breathe properly, and that stress may weaken trees long before any visible symptoms appear.

This can be particularly problematic for low-lying neighborhoods that face elevated flood risk, especially near the bay and along creeks such as San Francisquito Creek, which runs through Palo Alto and Menlo Park. Large portions of the Peninsula fall within FEMA flood zones — Special Flood Hazard Areas, or SFHAs — including parts of San Mateo, Redwood City, Palo Alto and East Palo Alto.

Here’s what Peninsula homeowners should know when it comes to flooding and their trees:

To continue reading George's advice, click here. 

For more information, 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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