Depending on where you live in Canada, the summers can be hot and brutal. This is particularly true in the GTA and Toronto area. Every summer, there is always at least one heat warning put into effect. When we hear about these warnings, it can be easy to make sure people and pets are safe inside. Our trees, however, are left to the sweltering heat outside. It is especially important to protect young trees throughout the hot summer months against the heat and drought. Young trees can be especially susceptible to transplant shock.
In order to help you protect your young and old trees from drought and the hot summer heat, we here at Five Star Tree Services have come up with some essential tree care tips you should follow this summer.
Watering A Tree When Needed
If this seems like an easy, no brainer task, you are correct, but there are certain things you will need to consider before watering.
Tree Age
If you have a newly planted, young tree, you need to pay closer attention to it. They are more susceptible to stress from droughts than other, more established, older trees. But you also need to be cautious to not overwater it as well. It is a careful balance for the right amount of watering. Overwatering is just as devastating on young trees as is the stress for a drought. While older trees can handle additional water, young trees simply cannot.
Quantity of Rain
For long term health, the best thing you can do for your tree is water it. But this is only really necessary during dry periods when it hasn’t rained in a while. The wet season in the spring helps to kickstart the hydration process, but that only lasts as long as it keeps periodically raining. During a nice wet spring, it creates lush trees and will help to increase leaf production.
However, after the “April showers”, there can be long stretches without any rain. Trees have water running through their leaves. This turns problematic in the blistering sun when the light evaporates the water out of the leaves. With lots of leaves and a thick canopy, drought stress is increased during the time when the weather is dry and hot. You can roughly predict that somewhere around the beginning of July is when you should be cognoscente of watering your beautiful trees.
Soil Type
A lot of experts will say that the best thing for you tree growth is drained soil. However, that is a luxury and most of us don’t have that. Many people have to deal with compact soil with clay in it. When this type of soil gets dried out, it closely resembles cracked pavement. Imagine what your tree’s roots are going through with trying to compete in soil that is presenting as a physical barrier. This can mean it is difficult to grow.
When you have compact soils, you will often have to “pre-wet” the surface and water very slowly until the soil is nicely saturated, otherwise the water will just run off. Slowly watering and allowing the soil to gradually soak in the water breaks the surface tension. Allowing your trees to absorb the water easier when you “pre-wet” the surrounding soil first.
Tree Type
You may have noticed but some trees handle drought better than others. This just means that their drought tolerance is higher and others can be more sensitive in waterlogged soil. It is important to carefully read about the types of trees you have and exactly what their specific demands are in terms of how much and how often to water them. Truthfully, basically all trees should get supplemental water when there is a long dry period. If you have ever seen a home with a beautiful green lush property, this is simply due to regular watering.
Watering your plants is not simply about just giving them water. The important part is how you are watering them. The absolute best way to water your trees is with a slow drip irrigation system, or if you don’t have one of those, use a slow drip hose. Slowly watering your tree will ensure that the water is seeping into the soil and down the roots of the tree. If you try to water too safe during a drought, the water will simply spread along the surface and run away from the tree. This is not just a waste for the tree, but you as well and it can be expensive.
We do not recommend running overhead irrigation systems every day. These can actually harm your tree by allowing the water to trickle down the tree trunk and can promote an environment for diseases. Sometimes, a tree will develop gashes and wounds if pressurized water is continuously used every day and hits the trunk of the tree.
You also need to be careful to not overwater your trees, creating puddles and oversaturating the soil. The water should seep down into the soil after a minute or two, if it is longer or never goes away, you have watered too much. To avoid this, a good test to see if you actually need to water your tree is by sticking a screwdriver in the soil near your tree and seeing if it comes out dry or with soil on it. If you stick it in and it is dry when you pull it out, it is time to water.
Mulch Your Trees Base
This could seem counterproductive when trying to help your trees during the hot summer, but trust us, it will help them. Placing mulch around the bases of your trees helps to insulate the roots, which helps to keep them cool. Using mulch also helps with water retention and allows the soil to retain more water, longer. Meaning you have to water less frequently and it will also help to suppress any weeds.
How Five Star Tree Services Can Help
Now that you have more knowledge about how to help your trees through dry summers, they will be able to thrive. Proper year-round tree care is important. Our team at Five Star Tree Services is always here to help you out with our many tree services! If you have any questions or would like to utilize our services, give us a call at (416) 990-3355 today! You can also learn more on our website!