You may have noticed a once-healthy oak turning brown seemingly overnight — a troubling sign that many Napa Valley residents are seeing more often these days. This sudden decline is often caused by a dangerous disease known as Sudden Oak Death (SOD) , which threatens our region’s iconic oak trees. In Napa County, thousands of oaks have been lost to this disease in recent years, changing landscapes, impacting local ecosystems, and putting valuable properties at risk. Whether you’re a homeowner, estate manager, vineyard owner, or HOA decision-maker, understanding Sudden Oak Death is essential for protecting your trees and preserving Napa’s natural beauty.
Living in Napa Valley wine country means enjoying stunning views, world-class vineyards, and peaceful rural living. But it also means facing a growing wildfire risk . With hotter summers, drier winters, and increasing vegetation density, creating a fire-safe landscape is more than good practice — it’s an absolute necessity. While many homeowners focus on clearing brush or maintaining lawns, one of the most critical — and most overlooked — aspects of wildfire prevention is proper tree care .
As wildfire seasons grow longer and more intense across California, Napa Valley homeowners face increasing pressure to protect their properties. With its dry summers, sloping terrain, and abundance of vegetation, Napa is especially vulnerable to fast-moving fires. One of the most effective strategies for safeguarding your home? Proper tree care and defensible space planning. At Mike’s Tree Service, we specialize in helping Napa County residents reduce fire risk through strategic tree pruning, removals, and wildfire mitigation practices tailored to local conditions.
