Effective Strategies for Maintaining Tree Health During Texas Summers

Texas summers can be hot, humid, and dry. While this may be ideal for summer parties and days spent on the lake, the summer heat can wreak havoc on trees. Preventive care and supplemental water are crucial for protecting the local trees during a traditional Texas summer. Here are a few additional effective strategies to help maintain tree health during the hot weather.

Provide Supplemental Water

Image via Flickr by Nick Amoscato

Texas isn’t immune to droughts, which occur when precipitation levels are below average for an extended period. Dry conditions deprive Texas trees of water and nutrients, impacting their growth and overall health. Supplemental water can help trees flourish during dryer seasons.

An arborist adds water to a tree’s roots during irrigation based on its type, size, and weather conditions. Frequent watering can help protect a tree during drought-like weather, but it’s also crucial to avoid oversaturating. Too much water can prevent the tree from getting the oxygen it requires.

Fertilize Trees

Watering trees is an excellent start but may not be enough during scorching and dry Texas summers. Deep-root fertilization services can give trees more of the nutrients they need to grow and stay healthy. Tree fertilization can also benefit newer, younger, and smaller trees. Fertilizing trees during the initial planting increases their chances of growing into large, strong trees.

Professional tree fertilization offers many advantages, including specially formulated fertilizers that meet the specific needs of trees. Texas is home to between 255 and 281 species of trees, calling for a wide range of fertilizer ingredients. Southlake arborists can help property owners understand the precise irrigation and fertilization needs of the trees on their property.

Manage Pests and Diseases

Preventive and prompt pest and disease management is also crucial to protecting Texas trees this summer. The earlier a person can identify potential tree pest damage or infestation, the sooner they can treat it before it causes irreversible tree damage.

Texas trees are prone to lace bugs, spider mites, aphids, and scales. These nuisance pests can affect the leaves, twigs, and tree trunks. Left untreated, they can cause large tree branches to break and fall. Some infestations can even damage the tree trunks, causing them to break at the base.

Avoid Additional Tree Stress

Summer heat is just one threat to Texas trees. Avoiding additional stressors that can weaken or damage trees, such as pruning or cutting before it’s needed, is also essential. While tree pruning helps maintain a healthy tree, it’s important to time this task right to avoid further damage.

Property owners unsure of what their trees need to thrive should consider working with a Southlake arborist. An arborist has the training to care for and treat trees. A local-area arborist is also familiar with the native trees in a particular area, including how to best care for them.

This summer, Texas trees may require a little extra attention and care to avoid drying out, especially during long periods of heat. ISA-certified arborist consulting is a great way to ensure Texas trees remain healthy, regardless of the weather.