High temperatures, scorching heat and prolonged droughts brought on by Texas summers can take a toll on our native trees. Prioritizing preventive care and maintenance now is crucial for your trees’ longevity and ensures that they remain healthy and vibrant throughout the hot summer months. As you prepare, here are the priorities to focus on in your summer tree maintenance regime.
Establish a Supplemental Watering Plan:
Water is essential for tree survival and growth. Now is the time to check drip irrigation, sprinklers, and soaker hoses for cracks or damage to ensure they are working properly. Trees should be watered slowly, deeply, and less frequently than turf or landscape plants. As temperatures begin to rise, it is important that your trees receive a deep watering at the drip line one to three times a week throughout summer, depending on the size and age – well-established, mature trees will require less water than those that are newly planted. Watering trees deeply will encourage strong root growth. Morning or late evening is the best time to water; avoid watering in the heat of the day, as water will evaporate too quickly to be of any use to the tree.
Use Mulch to Your Advantage:
Often overlooked or improperly executed, mulching your trees is necessary to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Use native mulches made from bark, wood chips, or pine needles – organic forms that will slowly break down over time and return nutrients to the soil.
Place a layer of mulch one to three inches thick around the base of tree between the drip line of the outermost branches and the trunk. Mound to form a donut shape and avoid volcano mulching. Material should never be mounded up around the tree trunk, as it will retain too much moisture, allowing for fungus and bacteria to thrive that eventually leads to rot and decay.
The same is true for misdirected sprinklers that may be soaking – or even damaging – tree bark. If you have an automatic irrigation system, be sure to test it during the day to make sure that zones for turf are not tough on trees. As landscapes mature, consider if some heads may need to be switched or if drip irrigation may better cover flowerbeds.
Preventive Maintenance & Monitoring:
Texas summers attract various pests and diseases that threaten tree health. Too often symptoms go unnoticed until the tree is so stressed that treatments can become ineffective. Regular monitoring for signs of infestation or disease is necessary to ensure their survival.
One of the best things you can do for your trees is have them trimmed or pruned before they start turning green in the spring. Although that time has passed, add a note to your calendar to remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches to promote healthy growth and improve appearance next February. Planning during the dormant season pays dividends in the summer – tree care really is a year-round affair!
Check out this post for more information about caring for native trees or consult the plethora of great information for Tree Owners from the International Society of Arboriculture.
Follow these guidelines, and your trees are on the road to surviving – and perhaps even thriving – in Texas summer heat! Need additional information? The Environmental Services Department is here to help! Call 281-210-3800 or email enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov to get assistance on all your tree needs.