Landscaping can play a big part in increasing the curb appeal of your home.  Here are some tips on how to keep your trees healthy during the record heat.

 By John Leifester

ISA Certified Arborist, Texas Oak Wilt Certified Arborist

Director at Preferred Landscape & Lighting

 

            Fifty straight days of 100º plus days in San Antonio is a new record. Another record that is not so posthumous is the fact that we are losing native trees at an alarming rate due to the drought. These trees contribute the value of your home, aid in cooling the house by protection from the sun, and prevent erosion of soils.

We have seen trees succumb to a fairly recent publicized disease called Hypoxylon Canker. It is a fungus that can devastate trees during stressful times, such as the drought. The tell tale signs of the canker are, the presence of “exploded” bark from the trunk, and die back and defoliation in the canopy. It can affect neighboring stressed trees, and infected trees need to be removed to help control the spread. Well, now you might be wondering, “How do I save these beautiful trees?” Well, there are a couple of steps that can help save them.

First, be observant in your yard. Look for the symptoms and if unsure, consult with a qualified Certified Arborist. Have them view your trees for any other stressors on the trees. These could be asphalt and curbing over root systems and driveways. These cause heat islands that can rob precious moisture from the soil.

Check your mulch. Every bed should have at least three inches of mulch in them. This helps to prevent water evaporation and helps cool the root systems. Ideally, trees would love to have a mulch bed around there entire root system, which is as vast and wide as the canopy. But if this is not an option, your landscape beds do offer some help.

Supplemental watering is a needed, much like humans need oxygen. These trees are stressing due to a minimal amount of rain. We, as homeowners, can help protect them by giving their parched roots a drink. There are several ways to accomplish this.

            You can go to a hardware store and purchase a soaker hose. Wrap the soaker hose is a spiral pattern around the tree, laying it in the root zone under the canopy. Run a rubber hose to the end and turn on and water for about two hours. Please remember to check you local water restrictions regarding soaker hose uses and your scheduled days to water.

            You can put barrels or Gator Bags in the root system of your trees. These are slow release and will allow for a deeper, better watering. You would need to only fill them once a week.

            Lastly, you can have a Licensed Irrigation company install bubblers on your smaller trees, but only anything less than 5 inches. Anything over that will require the use of drip irrigation and some mulch.

            Always remember that trees will take a lot of abuse, but can die suddenly due to stressors. If you see anything out of the ordinary, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and contact a Certified Arborist.

 

Trees are our future and will continue to provide for generations to come.