How Droughts Affect Your Trees
In 2022, Western Washington state experienced the hottest dry spell on record. Without enough water, and excessive heat, trees are put under stress which can lead to further damage from beetles and/or other environmental conditions. Beetles are able to sense trees under stress, which is where they choose to nest. Once they do this, it makes a tree under stress very vulnerable to beetle kill, especially Douglas Fir's, as they are particularly susceptible to beetle infestation after experiencing stress from drought. There are many environmental factors that make a tree susceptible to stress from a lack of water and it’s important to be aware of these and what you can do to help mitigate damage from them, especially during and after a record-breaking drought.
How trees can become stressed
Trees are put under stress when they aren’t getting enough water. Unfortunately, there are many circumstances that can create this problem, a heat wave being one of them. Being mindful of factors that add stress to a tree amidst a drought can help you to properly care for them and take measures to stop future damage.
A tree that is planted on a hill
Trees have a harder time absorbing water when it is planted on a hill or slope. This is because when it does rain, the water runs down the slope and can’t settle on the ground around the tree to allow it to absorb enough water. To make this circumstance more severe, trees that are planted on a slope that faces the sun and have rocks surrounding them are even more likely to dry up. The sun paired with rocks that get hot and dry the surrounding land can be problematic for trees trying to retain enough water, especially in a drought.
The construction surrounding a tree
It’s important for trees to be considered during construction, particularly those near sidewalks and driveways. When a driveway is put too close to a tree, the tree’s dripline can be compromised and its access to rain and other sources of water may be blocked. A dripline is the area that runs underground and falls on the outer edge of the tree’s canopy. This can be several yards away from the tree trunk, which gives the common misconception that doing construction or placing a driveway in this area will not have an effect on the tree. This type of construction can have a significant impact on a tree's ability to absorb water and stay healthy due to the dripline being interfered with. A tree in this environment is already vulnerable, but with the added stress from drought, staying healthy can be a big challenge.
The number of trees in the area
If you have areas on your property that aren’t irrigated, it’s important to have the correct amount of trees. This is because if you have too many trees, there is not enough water for all of them to be properly nourished. This is especially critical during a drought. To ensure your trees stay healthy and mitigate damage and stress from dehydration, you may want to consider reducing your trees in an area with limited water on your property.
How to save drought-stressed trees
If you have trees that you think are being impacted by one of these factors, using a soaker hose to water the tree for a couple of hours a week is a good start. Trees need water, and if they aren’t getting it from rainfall, it’s important to find another way in order to stay healthy. Neglecting your trees during a drought can cause stress and lead to beetles, which can cause further damage and lead to hazards from weakened trees. Having a professional arborist come look at your trees is also a good way to help your trees during a drought. Professionals can help you identify how they are being impacted by the surrounding environment and look for ways to mitigate drought damage through tree service.
If you think that your tree is vulnerable to drought damage, schedule a no-cost consultation online or with one of our field representatives to have one of our local, professional arborists consult with you on the best way to proceed for your tree's health.