Canadian summers can be hard to predict, some years are rainy, while others are dry. This year we seem to be having a decent mix of weather; but what happens in the event of a drought? What is the best way to protect your trees? When we think of drought, images of dry and burned yards of yellowing grass usually come to mind. We don’t always think of the leafy friends that offer us shade from the scorching sun. Trees are designed to be resilient; and the older they are and the deeper their root systems go that stronger they are at fighting the effects of a drought situation. There are however, signs that your trees aren’t getting the water that they need during a hot season. Watch for wilting leaves, or premature turning of colors from green to brown; or even leaves dropping well before they should in the fall.
To help protect your trees from the damaging effects of not enough water we have some helpful tips for you.
Avoid Fertilizer
If the conditions call for a hot dry summer then you can skip the fertilizer. It will actually absorb the water before the tree can. And if a tree is already trying to use its energy to deal with drought stress the extra energy it will have to use to process the fertilizer can actually be damaging.
Add Mulch
If you pull the grass and other plant life away from a tree about six inches, then apply a layer of mulch out as far as you can away from the trunk, ideally to where the roots extend to, known as the drip line, it can help. You’ll want to layer it about four inches thick all around the base of the tree. The mulch seals in the moisture, keeping it from evaporating too quickly before the tree can benefit. If you are looking to have a protective layer of mulch added to the base of your trees Sequoia TreeScape can help. Contact us for more information.
Water Correctly
Most trees can tough it out during a dry spell to a certain degree, but in case you want to help keep them their healthiest there are some proper steps for giving a tree a drink. As a general rule you don’t need to water the leaves or branches of a tree as it is actually the roots that absorb the moisture. Make sure to soak the area around the tree to the drip line. Avoid watering during the hottest times of the day as the water will warm up and can actually cause a scorching affect on the tree. If you get an overcast moment during the morning or evening would be ideal watering weather. And a good guideline is ten gallons of water for each inch of trunk, spread out over a few weeks.
If you live in the York Region and your trees are exhibiting any sort of signs of stress don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Sequoia TreeScape. As arborists serving the Newmarket, Aurora, and Markam area, we can give you suggestions and advice and a free assessment of what needs done to get your trees healthy again. If you are looking for tree work or a tree removal near you then contact us today. The Sequoia TreeScape team is only one call away at (416) 770-8733.
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Until Next Time,
Matt Gladwin – Owner
Certified Arborist