Taking Care of Your Trees During a Drought

Do you live in an area that frequently experiences extreme heat and drought? If so, you need to plan how to take care of your trees to ensure they remain in tip-top condition. Southern Star Tree has a team of experienced and highly trained contractors ready to help you provide better care for your landscape. A prolonged drought can devastate your greenery, hence the need to work with a professional tree care company.

If you are wondering how to take care of your trees during such extreme weather, schedule a consultation with a professional tree service to ensure you take the steps to protect your trees. Here are several ways you can take care of trees during drought.

Watering

Water is often the problem during drought, compromising the overall health of your landscape. We recommend installing a drip line in the outermost fringe of the canopy to allow water to drip onto the ground. Most trees have fibrous roots which grow beyond the canopy, so it is important to water, mulch, and fertilize beyond the base of the tree for optimal nourishment. We can help you install an efficient irrigation system that allows you to adjust watering based on time, rain, soil moisture, and evaporation rate. Saline water is not ideal for irrigation as it makes the conditions worse.

Mulching

Mulch is a great way to retain moisture, reduce evaporation, and regulate soil temperature. We recommend layering at least 4 inches of mulch at least six inches from your tree trunks to prevent decay. If you use organic mulch like pine needles or bark chips, you are on the right track to improving soil quality and preventing unwanted critters on your premises. Many tree service providers do not recommend mulching immediately after a drought to avoid root bun from the salts in the fertilizers.

Pruning

Pruning is a crucial tree maintenance exercise that goes a long way in ensuring your trees remain in their optimal structure and stability. When you hire a tree care company to conduct pruning, it is crucial to focus on damaged, diseased, or dead branches that weaken the overall health of your trees. It is advisable to carry out light pruning during a drought to avoid overwhelming the trees or leaving them susceptible to insects and diseases. If pruning is not done sparingly, it can increase the risk of deterioration.

While proper watering and mulching goes a long way in ensuring your trees remain in optimal condition during a drought, there are steps you can take if you aren’t pleased with the results. We can help you choose the best root stimulation and aeration techniques to optimize the overall wellbeing of your trees.

We also focus on insect damage control, which is usually high during drought, and recommend the ideal solution to mitigate further deterioration. If you want to maintain healthy trees in drought, contact us at Southern Star Tree and schedule an appointment with our experts. We leverage extensive industry expertise and innovative technology to enhance the quality of tree service.