Taking care of trees during the hot summer months is crucial for their health and well-being, especially when temperatures rise and there’s been very little rain.
You may have asked yourself - Do trees need more water in hot weather?
The short answer is - YES! Hot weather stresses trees out especially when temperatures are hot and dry for a very long time. If your tree leaves turn yellow and they start to lose their leaves well before autumn, it means your tree is stressed.
If an evergreen tree is stressed, it may turn greyish-green.
The amount of water a tree needs depends on its age. Newly established trees typically require more frequent watering than older trees, however during long hot dry periods, all trees can benefit from watering.
Tips for tree watering during Summer …
Deep watering every few days, rather than daily shallow watering. This encourages deep root growth and helps trees withstand drought conditions.
When watering mature trees, don’t water at the base of the trunk. Instead, soak the soil around the tree, where the roots will be established.
Water early morning or late evening. Watering during these times minimises water loss due to evaporation.
Also …
Apply a layer of mulch around the tree's base, but avoid piling it against the trunk. Mulch helps retain soil moisture, regulates soil temperature, and reduces competition from grass and weeds. We recommend using something organic like aged woodchips to suppress weeds and retain moisture as it eventually compost down, adding nutrients back into the soil.
If you are worried about the health of your trees or how to care for them, don’t hesitate to contact us.