Trees and Drought

Whereas the effect of drought is quick and visible on our lawns, it is entirely different for our trees. The effects of droughts on trees are subtle and may take up to three years or even more for the signs to be seen on some trees. However, proactive measures ought to be taken to reduce or avoid the damages on your tree and lawn in the current drought.

Care for Trees in Drought

Lack of water over an extended period which results to dryness of the soil significantly reduces the lifespan of a tree. You may want to carry out an assessment on your trees to ascertain if there are signs of the effects of drought. Here are primary factors to look out for in your trees;
• State Of The Tree:  Watch out for drying or dying branches, curling or scorched leaves, and early dropping.
• The appearance of the Leaves: Pay close attention to the color of the leaves: If the edges and tips are brownish, this points to the signs of drought on the tree.
• Pest Infestation: Long-term drought can cause pest problems. Insects like borers will cause greater damage in the period of drought.
Although the presence of these symptoms may be frightening, some measures can be administered to cushion the effect and fight against impending damage.

Watering
Your trees should be watered in the morning, as this is the time the soil easily absorbs water. Ensure you water your trees once or twice weekly. Ensure the soil is well saturated, up to 12 inches depth from the surface of the ground.
Not sure if your watering is adequate for the tree? You can determine this by poking a long screwdriver dip into the soil surrounding the tree; if it seems hard for the screwdriver to penetrate the soil, then the root may not be getting enough water.
Pruning
To get the best out of your trees and to improve their strength and structure, proper pruning is recommended. If your trees have dead or broken disease-stricken and insect-infested branches, it will be more prone to the effects of drought.
Contact SprayTech, Colorado tree health care specialists, for our professional pruning services
Mulching
Mulching helps to reduce moisture loss due to drought significantly. To get the desired result, do not use volcano mulching as this is associated with several problems like decay, disease and insect damage.
Still worried about how to take good care of your trees and lawn during the current drought? Call SprayTech, Colorado tree specialists at 720-248-0000 and our tree health specialists will be happy to discuss with you.