Did you know that high temperatures can drastically reduce your trees’ health? According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), recent summers have been among the hottest on record. These scorching conditions can cause significant stress to your trees, leading to drought damage and pest infestations!
In this blog post, you’ll learn about the environmental stresses your green giants face in summer and essential tree care tips to protect them during this season. Read on!
Understanding Summer Stressors for Trees
Summer brings several environmental stresses that challenge tree health. Here are the most common:
Weakening
During summer, the high temperatures can cause leaves to wilt or drop early and edges to brown. This weakens the tree and makes it more sensitive to diseases.
Low Soil Moisture
Low soil moisture is another challenge. Without enough water, trees can’t get the nutrients they need, leading to poor growth and increased vulnerability to pests.
Increased Pest Activity
Pests are more active in the summer. They take advantage of weakened trees, causing further damage. Some signs of pest problems you may watch out for are holes in leaves, sticky residue, and unhealthy-looking bark.
Essential Summer Tree Care Practices
You can follow these key tree care tips to help them survive the summer heat:
Deep Watering
Watering is critical in summer—water trees deeply a few times a week instead of shallowly every day. Early morning or late evening is the best time to do it.
Proper Mulching
Mulch helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature. Apply a 2-4 inch layer of mulch around the tree base to prevent fungal growth and maintain the soil cool and moist. Be careful to keep the mulch far from the trunk, as it can suffocate the plant.
Light Pruning
Prune trees in summer to remove dead or damaged branches and improve air circulation. Use sharp, clean tools to cut just above a bud or branch. Avoid heavy pruning (this is better during winter or early spring), as it can stress the tree further.
Preparing Trees for Summer Storms
Summer storms can be harsh. To minimize storm damage, we recommend you do the following:
- Regularly inspect for weakened parts and remove them.
- Secure young trees with stakes for added stability.
- Ensure proper drainage around trees to prevent waterlogging.
When to Seek Professional Help
Sometimes, it’s best to call someone experienced in properly caring for trees. They can help you treat severe pest infestations and significant storm damage or even get advanced tree health assessments.
To choose a reputable tree services provider, check reviews and certifications and ask for references. This will ensure you get the best service to keep your trees healthy.
Let Raven Tree Service Keep Your Trees Thrive
At Raven Tree Service, we know you want to protect your trees thriving all summer long. However, protecting them from extreme temperatures and heat stress can be challenging. That’s why we’re here to provide you with the expert help you deserve.
Don’t let your trees suffer this summer. We offer professional tree care services delivered by our experienced and licensed arborists. You can trust Raven Tree to keep your big plants strong and healthy. Give us a call today and see how we can help!
