The Effects of Drought on Trees: Why It Lasts for Years to Come
As the climate continues to change, years of drought have become a serious problem for many regions, and the effects are starting to show. In fact, more than half of U.S. states have experienced moderate drought in 2021.
What does this mean for you? Flowers and shrubs may make it through with regular watering, but your trees could end up suffering for years to come after a drought!
Read on to learn about the effects of drought and how your trees could be impacted!
Drought and Trees
The most affected trees are seedlings and transplants. Seedlings have shallow root systems and the top layers of soil dry out the most quickly. Transplants are more sensitive due to transplant shock, loss of their root system, and soil issues.
While established trees and plants are less at risk of damage due to drought, they face the effects as well. Drought inflames any pre-existing issues in trees such as improper planting or diseases. Landscape trees that are not native to the area are also less equipped to deal with drought.
The symptoms of drought can be hard to spot and may not show themselves until a few seasons later. Understanding the effects is the first step to maintaining your yard!
Short-Term Effects of Drought on Trees
A plant’s first response to drought is to close its stomata, through which they release water and absorb carbon dioxide. This reduces the rate of photosynthesis.
You’ll notice shriveling and falling leaves in damaged plants. If you notice discoloration or scorching, it’s time to take action.
Trees weakened by drought will also be more sensitive to winter temperatures, pesticides, and diseases.
Long-Term Damage
Drought causes the amount of water in the soil to decrease. This causes fragile root systems to die, making it difficult for the plants to absorb water even when the soil is restored.
If a drought is long-lasting or recurring, the damage to trees will be much more severe.
You may notice that entire branches die, especially at the crown of the tree. A reduction in growth and gradual decline are other signs that your tree has been damaged.
Recovering From the Effects of Drought
The best way to prevent long-lasting damage is to stay on top of tree maintenance.
Start with the soil – make sure that your trees have a healthy root system by incorporating water-retaining matter like mulch. You don’t need to water your trees frequently, but make sure the water goes deep into the soil!
An arborist can provide all the drought-care your trees need, from pruning back damaged branches to full removal of dead trees. They can also give your trees the attention they need to stay healthy during and after a drought.
Keep Your Trees Blooming
The effects of drought can cause long-lasting damage, but you can keep your trees healthy by employing a tree service near you. Tree services can help with tree preservation during a drought as well as tree recovery or removal.
Looking for arborist services in Connecticut? You can request an estimate here to find out about the services available to you! Don’t miss the chance to make your yard as healthy and beautiful as it can be after the past few years of drought!
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greg v2023-10-25Great team and very professional, they efficiently took down some large older trees that were dying and hanging over my house and in very difficult positions while also requiring them to manage traffic, I will definitely use them again in the futurePeter Kelly2023-10-16I would give 6 Stars if I could. This is the third time I've used Justin and his crew of Arbortech. He and his crew go above and beyond in the services they provide. They do all, and then some, of what I contracted them to do. His crew is personable, professional, and tidy. They left my place cleaner than when they got here. Can't say enough. Use them. You won't be disappointed.Tracy Cole2023-10-13Great job…nice clean up!! Will use them again!!!Roger Leardi2023-10-12These guys are professionals. They came when they said they would, they were quick, neat and professional. They did exactly what they quoted. The crew was polite and friendly. I was super pleased with the service and would highly recommend them if you need tree service.Venus Dickson2023-09-28Arbor tech and their crew were amazing!!! Not only did I not have to wait a long time to schedule the work, but they also came on time the day of. The crew were friendly, professional and helpful. They went above and beyond what I expected them to do. They even cleaned up afterwards as if they weren’t even there. The price I was quoted was reasonable and they did not charge more than was quoted. The whole experience was fantastic. I will be using them in the future. I highly recommend them! You will not be disappointed.Pamela Hayden2023-09-22Absolutely the very best. They arrived on time. The yard was taken care of and left in perfect shape. They did everything we asked ……we will definitely be using them again. The gentlemen doing the job were pleasant and professional.Richard Roy2023-09-22All aspects of our experience with Arbortech were beyond expectation (5+ stars at all levels). From the scheduling process and ongoing coordination and discussions with Lindsey to the onsite discussions with Justin, and finally with the crew while the work was being done, we couldn't be happier. They listened, they provided insight to our project while remaining very sensitive to our privacy concerns with the trimming of our pines. In an evolving world where a lot of customer care seems to have vanished, we are grateful we found a company where it seems to be a core component of their values. HIGHLY RECOMMENDEdward Figiela2023-09-11That are a great company to work with would recommend them to all!!Greer Cunningham2023-09-09From start to finish our experience with Arbortech was wonderful! Lindsey was extremely responsive and worked with us to set up both the estimate and schedule the work. She even communicated with our neighbor to coordinate the timing as we needed to use their driveway for the job. Justin came promptly to look at our trees, explained our options in a very clear an professional way, and gave us an extremely fair estimate. The guys who came and did the work did a really great job and cleaned up everything afterwards, so we (and our neighbor) were very happy. They were also very friendly and gracious even though they were working during a crazy heat wave- they appreciated the popsicles I gave them! I highly recommend Arbortech Tree Service!
