Do Inconsistent Weather Patterns Affect North Texas Trees?

North Texas is known for unpredictable weather. One day it can be 90 degrees and sunny, while the next is torrential rain, flooding, and temperatures in the low 30s. Like people, trees are sensitive to their environment, and when the weather changes quickly, they don’t have a chance to adapt. This puts additional stress on our trees and can lead to long-term health problems. In this blog post, we’ll explore how inconsistent weather patterns affect North Texas trees and what you can do to help your trees cope with their environment.

How Do Inconsistent Weather Patterns Affect North Texas Trees? 

Just like us, each tree is unique and should be viewed as an individual. One tree may be better equipped to handle drought and heat stress than another, and this resistance has more to do with tree health rather than species. At the minimum, hot, dry summers without rain lead to muted autumn colors. When combined with sudden temperature shifts, rain, and snow, even the healthiest trees can suffer. Without proper care and treatment, they can eventually decline and die.

How Weather Affects North Texas Tree Health

Plants and trees perform their best in optimal climate conditions. Depending on tree species and adaptability, some can tolerate unpredictable weather and climate conditions better than others. That’s why it’s always recommended to plant trees well-suited to North Texas soil types, heat, and drought. They will be easier to care for and pose fewer problems down the line. That being said, even trees native to North Texas can get confused by inconsistent weather. Trees that are dormant during winter can get confused by an unusually sunny and warm week, thinking spring came early. This may force new growth during a time when they have limited resources and cause significant damage to their health.

How Drought Affects North Texas Trees 

The effects of drought cannot be overstated. As we come out of summer, trees recovering from drought stress are at a disadvantage because they may have lost their ability to take up nutrients from the soil. Prolonged heat and drought can cause soil surfaces to dry out and kill fine roots. Drought also causes trees to rely too heavily on limited energy stores instead of nutrient absorption. When energy stores are depleted, they can further decline during and after the dormant season.

Inconsistent Weather Patterns Affects Soil Composition 

Weather conditions like drought, heat, and flooding drastically change a tree’s growing environment. The effects can cause the beneficial microorganisms in the soil to die, altering the composition of the soil and inhibiting the absorption of nutrients and minerals by tree roots. Adversely, large amounts of rain can cause soil compaction, drowning plant roots and causing a host of other health concerns.

Tree Pests and Disease 

Inconsistent weather amplifies tree disease and pest outbreaks. Some insects can have multiple generations in one growing season, lasting longer than previously thought possible. This increases pest populations, and the longer time frame degrades North Texas trees’ defense against them. When trees are weakened or recovering from tree pests or stress conditions, they are more susceptible to tree disease and have a higher risk of long-term damage.

If you suspect tree pests or fungal infections are hosting on your trees, call an ISA Certified Arborist at (817) 592-6846. Our Dallas tree care experts can diagnose your tree’s health and prescribe the proper treatment plan to restore it to optimal health before it’s too late.

North Texas Tree Sustainability 

Dallas/Fort Worth trees and urban forests play a vital role in our daily lives. Apart from providing us with natural beauty, they offer shade, lower energy costs, increase property value, and provide habitats for wildlife. It’s critical that we do our best to protect native North Texas trees while they’re vulnerable and work to preserve the sustainability and natural plant life in our communities. Proactive tree care is essential, and neglecting to do so comes at the cost of losing the unique plants and trees native to North Texas. While we can’t control the weather, there are a few critical things we can do to help DFW trees cope with their environment and give them the tools they need to thrive.

What You Can Do for Your Trees 

At a minimum, all trees need pruning and nutrition at the appropriate times. If your trees are suffering from soil compaction or recovering from external stressors like drought, pests, or diseases, they will require special care and treatment before they can handle additional stressors from the environment. The best thing you can do for your trees is to take care of them with professional tree care services. As a full-service tree care company, TreeNewal offers tree trimming and pruning, tree nutrition, insect and disease management, soil conditioning, and more to residential and commercial property owners in North Texas.

TreeNewal Dallas Tree Care Specialists 

TreeNewal is a sustainable tree care company offering residential and commercial tree services in Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton, Flower Mound, Argyle, Southlake, and Westlake. Our ISA Certified Arborists and Dallas tree care experts are committed to preserving trees that make up our beautiful North Texas communities and protecting our customers’ investments. Our tree doctors understand how each tree responds to changes in its environment. We can properly diagnose symptoms and provide a comprehensive treatment and prevention plan to restore and maintain optimal tree health. Take the next leap into proactive tree care by calling (817) 592-6846 today!