Hundreds of trees are dead or dying in Carson City, with 150 being removed this week alone

June 26, 2025

This week, 150 trees throughout Carson City are being removed due to a continuing mass die-off and ongoing vegetation decline, adding to the 21 trees and 14 shrubs removed last week.

In total, 250 trees are slated for removal.

The city has been monitoring this issue since at least May, when they said an investigation into the tree decline was currently underway. Residents have been waiting for the results, and many have reached out to Carson Now reporting trees are being taken down in their neighborhoods.

This morning, the city released information about initial findings, indicating that heat stress, herbicide exposure, insect infestation, irrigation issues and over planting/competition are some of the issues that have contributed to the decline.

Early theories looked at possible tree disease, but it appears the die-off is happening in all types of tree species, as well as shrubs, plants, and even some grasses.

A walk through the “hot spot” areas of Northridge (currently the site of dead tree and shrub removal this week) Winnie Lane or Silver Oak show a widespread issue.

Trees struggling at Centennial Park June 25, 2025

While the findings released this morning have provided insight into some of the issues, tree death is becoming a larger problem throughout the state as a whole.

This die-off is mirroring a similar ominous region-wide tree death that began in Las Vegas just a few years ago, and was only predicted to become worse for our southern neighbors.

According to Parks Operations Manager David Navarro Jr., there were 250 trees on city property being assessed as of June 17, 2025. This week, at least 150 of those are slated for removal.

“Over 250 City trees are being monitored and/or treated,” Navarro said last week. “However, trees will be evaluated prior to removal to determine if some trees respond well to treatment. Some trees are showing signs of recovery.”

The team of experts that helped with the investigation included two independent ISA Certified Arborists, Nevada Department of Agriculture Entomologist, a municipal Urban Forester, University of Cooperative Extension Horticulturist, and a licensed pesticide contractor, according to Navarro.

Key findings of the tree decline investigation found causes to be:

Heat Stress: Heat stress from rising air temperatures over time and the use of rock mulch around trees have contributed to increasing soil temperatures. Drought-intolerant species, such as Red Oaks, were particularly struggling, showing signs of stress from heat and not adapting well to the local climate.
Herbicide Exposure: In some areas, trees and shrubs have shown signs of herbicide exposure. Herbicides are used to manage invasive weeds, which, if left uncontrolled, can outcompete healthy vegetation and can compromise tree health. Herbicides are typically filtered naturally by rain and snow over the winter months but may have remained at a higher concentration level due to the light winter.
Insect Infestation: Scale insects and powdery mildew were noted, often occurring in already weakened and stressed trees.
Irrigation: Upon continued inspection of irrigation systems, staff have since encountered some irrigation breaks, pinched distribution lines, and aging equipment, which can contribute to inconsistent watering. Staff is repairing and replacing irrigation as needed.
Overplanting and Competition: Some trees were planted improperly, unsuitable species were identified in certain locations, and many areas were overplanted, causing roots to compete for water and nutrients in the soil.

Carson City: Tree City USA, and the dangers of losing our urban forest

Carson City was first dubbed a Tree City USA 30 years ago in 1994, a nation-wide program that recognizes municipalities who have implemented successful urban forestry programs. It has continuously held its designation as a Tree City USA city ever since.

“Gaining and retaining Tree City USA recognition is an award a community’s citizens and tree workers can take pride in,” a spokesperson for the Tree City USA program in Nevada wrote. “Equally important is the improved health and longevity of their community’s trees. Managing city trees often takes a back seat to other public issues concerning a community, but Nevada’s Tree City USA’s are making tree awareness education and healthy trees a top priority.”

Carson City has also been awarded a Tree City USA Growth Award, in recognition of the continued growth in their programs through “increased levels of tree care, urban forestry planning, and education.”

In recent years, the importance of urban forestry has become even more significant in the wake of climate change, particularly in the west and southwest of the US.

With wildfire danger becoming a larger concern each year, power companies throughout the western United States, including our own NV Energy, have started de-energizing power lines during wildfires or severe weather conditions. While this might prevent a wind-downed line sparking a blaze, it also exposes residents to the risks of high heat without air conditioning or even plug-in fans.

Studies have shown that the only thing currently combating Urban Heat Islands (UHI) — a combination of high temperatures, building energy releasing as heat (especially those with air conditioning), and heat absorption/reflection of concrete, metal and asphalt — is living vegetation and foliage.

Anyone who has lived in this region long enough knows the difference in energy costs between a residence covered by a large shade tree and one without. In fact, trees can even decrease temperatures by 20 – 45 degrees in arid climates like Nevada.

Urban forests used to manage UHIs translate this idea on a city-wide scale.

In recent years, a swath of studies have been dedicated to measuring the cooling effects of shade trees and lawns, especially as homeowners are swapping their grass for xeriscape and gravel in an effort to save on water costs.

Creative Commons License. Credit: Raed Mansour

However, results indicate that while you may be saving on the water bill, for many the costs are simply transferring over to higher energy bills, as lawns or vegetation even just around your house have been shown to decrease temperatures.

There are areas within the city that seem to be the top choice for strolling with the family or taking dogs for a walk during the summer. Namely, the west side historic district, Riverview Park, the waterfall trail, Mills Park and Fuji Park to name a few.

What do these have in common? Areas of abundant shade and/or large grass fields keeping the areas cool during the summer. Other neighborhoods which offer little to no shade, or new builds that may have some trees but haven’t “grown up” yet, have very few walkers in comparison in the afternoons and evenings.

And with Nevada being home to the first and second fastest-warming cities in the country (Reno and Las Vegas, respectively), reducing temperatures might be the only way to keep what trees are surviving to stay that way.

Trees began dying years ago in Las Vegas, along with a grim forecast of more to follow

Heat stress doesn’t just make trees droop or curl their leaves; it destroys the tree’s equivalent of an immune system, which then allows problems like water absorption, disease or pests to kill them off.

In 2023 Las Vegas reportedly had already begun to lose many of its trees in a similar die-off, and the Southern Nevada Water Authority believed it was due to the fact that the environment was simply getting too hot for some of the tree species that have been planted in the silver state since at least the 1800s.

As reported in 2023 by the Nevada Current, the SNWA found 16% of the 100 most common tree species in the Las Vegas Valley would exceed their heat tolerance by 2025, meaning those trees will not be able to survive the region’s changing climate.

The first species marked for death are Italian cypress, purple-leaf plum, and elm trees. By 2055, another 38% are predicted to follow suit including ash trees, olive trees, pines, African sumac, and roses.

Across the border, Arizona has been studying the cooling effects of trees and vegetation extensively in recent years, especially after the state saw its hottest ever July on record in 2023 with 17 days straight of over 115 degree heat, and last year it experienced its hottest summer ever recorded with 100 days straight of 100+ degree heat.

In response, Arizona cities have started furiously planting trees, especially those within disadvantaged neighborhoods, as a way to cool temperatures throughout their region.

The City of Tucson announced they will plant one million new trees by 2030, specifically in an effort to curb the increasing heat caused by climate change.

Carson City boasts thousands of trees, and the 250 being removed are merely a dent in the city’s overall canopy. But a survey around town in the last few days has shown it’s not only city trees that are struggling, but trees in residential yards, private businesses, and state or federally controlled lands.

Navarro confirmed that tree decline is being seen across the city, not only on city-owned properties: “This is not an isolated incident, as multiple residents have reported tree decline on private property. The City does not take [tree removal] decisions lightly, as the City is a proud Tree City USA and is committed to a healthy urban forest.”

What do sick or stressed trees look like?

Navarro said that when it comes to tree, shrub and plant health, it comes down to a balance of light, food, water, and oxygen:

“Trees and shrubs require sufficient light, balanced nutrients in the soil, and access to oxygen for a healthy root system,” he said. “When trees and shrubs are stressed or don’t have balanced nutrition, they are more susceptible to disease. Stress makes the trees more susceptible to certain insects and diseases. While most insects are beneficial, some can be destructive.”

Some signs of stress include:

Twisted or curled leaves (infection/insects).
Not flowering in spring or leafing out later than normal.
Brown roots (dry soil/environmental impact).
Black roots (over-watering or root-rotting organisms).
Trunk and branch wounds (weather, animals, disease).
Leaf discoloration, drooping, wilting, spots, or sap or honeydew secretions (pests, disease).

Treesaregood.org is a trusted resource to help residents navigate tree stress and decline, Navarro added, and for those who want an expert opinion, he suggested finding an ISA Certified Arborist in the area.

Residents can report tree decline on public property to Dave Navarro, Park Operations Superintendent, at dnavarro@carson.org or by calling Parks Administration at 775-887-2262.

Moving forward, Navarro said the city is taking the following steps:

The City is coordinating with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Horticulturist regarding soil sampling for chemical residues in key areas. Once soil sampling is complete, all areas will be properly flushed out to reduce any residue.
Staff are reviewing herbicide practices and irrigation schedules and have already made many repairs and adjustments to watering schedules.
Landscaping practices may be revised to provide a more conducive growing environment and reduce soil temperatures for healthier root systems. For example, rock mulch may be removed from tree trunks and replaced with organic mulch, such as wood chips.
Staff will continue monitoring affected trees and prioritize removal or replacement where recovery is not feasible.
Staff is preparing a replanting plan to be implemented in the fall.

The post Hundreds of trees are dead or dying in Carson City, with 150 being removed this week alone appeared first on Carson Now.

Hundreds of trees are dead or dying in Carson City, with 150 being removed this week alone

Key findings of the tree decline investigation found causes to be:

Carson City: Tree City USA, and the dangers of losing our urban forest

Trees began dying years ago in Las Vegas, along with a grim forecast of more to follow

What do sick or stressed trees look like?

Some signs of stress include:

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Hundreds of trees are dead or dying in Carson City, with 150 being removed this week alone

Key findings of the tree decline investigation found causes to be:

Carson City: Tree City USA, and the dangers of losing our urban forest

Trees began dying years ago in Las Vegas, along with a grim forecast of more to follow

What do sick or stressed trees look like?

Some signs of stress include:

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