If your trees are demonstrating signs of unexplainable stress, don’t wait for them to turn brown.
If your trees are demonstrating signs of unexplainable stress, don’t wait for them to turn brown. Our local climate in Maryland can be uncomfortable in the summers, especially during heatwaves. Understanding how drought and heat can stress your property’s trees is the first step toward a lush landscape.
The professionals at Harford Tree Experts & Landscaping see this every year: healthy-looking trees in spring start to decline in the summer. This blog provides warning signs to watch out for to protect your trees before it’s too late.
Understanding The Biology of Evapotranspiration
To comprehend how drought and heat can stress your property’s trees in Maryland, you have to know how a tree stays cool. Trees experience a process called evapotranspiration, where water is released from the roots as vapor and through tiny pores in the leaves (stomata).
When the Maryland sun lowers, the tree sweats more to stay cool. However, the tree cannot replace the water it is losing if the soil is dry due to drought. To prevent complete dehydration, the tree must close its stomata. While this approach saves water, it also halts photosynthesis. Fundamentally, the tree holds its breath and stops producing food to live off its stored energy reserves.
Warning Signs of Heat Stress
Early detection is critical to preventing permanent tree damage. Before a tree dies, it will send out warning signs:
- Brown or crispy leaf edges with green centers form when a tree lacks sufficient water at the outer tips.
- While daytime drooping and wilting can be a normal heat-coping mechanism, failure to recover overnight indicates severe tree dehydration.
- Some trees in Maryland, like the Yellow Poplar, will prematurely drop their leaves in July or August to minimize their water needs. This is a survival mechanism against the scorching dry weather, but it can result in a weak tree.
- Although flagging (where the tips of the needles turn red or brown) is common in some trees, it can also mean tree damage from environmental pests or stress.
The Threat of Tree Disease
One of the ways that drought and heat can stress your property’s trees in Maryland is by weakening their immune systems. The sap pressure of a tree decreases when it is stressed by drought, which makes it easier for pests to attack it. Moreover, many fungi thrive in the heat but attack trees that are excessively weak to combat against any threat.
Tips for Protecting Your Trees from the Maryland Heat
You can reduce the effects of extreme weather in Maryland with a few strategic landscape adjustments:
Water Wisely
Even though most people water their lawns, few water their trees. Trees require deep, occasional watering rather than a daily sprinkle. Prioritize watering at the “drip line“—the spot below the outermost branches. This is the location of most active feeder roots.
Mulch is a Must
Proper landscaping and mulching are the best in combating summer droughts. Consider applying a 2-to-3-inch layer of organic mulch around your tree to serve as insulation. Mulch keeps the soil cool and prevents moisture evaporation.
Note: Avoid piling excessive mulch against the trunk because it can cause rot.
Avoid Heavy Pruning
Protecting your trees during a Maryland heat wave and drought requires avoiding heavy trimming, preserving their leaves for temperature control, and preventing stress from opening further pruning wounds.
Long-Term Tree Recovery and Soil Care
Drought stress does not go away when rain finally falls. Tree root systems can take several months to recover. If your trees have survived a harsh Maryland summer, consider implementing a deep-root fertilization treatment in autumn. Nutrients and soil conditioners are directly applied into the root zone, helping the tree rebuild its energy storage before the winter freeze.
At Harford Tree, our certified arborists have years of experience in the landscape industry and know how to take proper precautions and maintain safety throughout every step of the process. Contact us today for tree services throughout Maryland!
Tree Care and Maintenance from Harford Tree
Ready to have the beautiful yard you have always dreamed of? Harford Tree Experts & Landscaping, Inc has been in the business for decades, providing customers with quality work and quick responses all at the right price. We service the areas of Harford County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City areas including Bel Air, Fallston, Perry Hall, Towson, Essex, Parkville, White Marsh and Middle River.
For service during business hours, reach out to us or give us a call at 410-592-7321. We offer 24/7 emergency service as well, just give us a call at 443-250-6649. For updates about our business and more informative tips, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.