Residential property owners throughout the greater Houston area witnessed unprecedented drought conditions in 2011 and 2012, and many trees and properties were impacted. Lawns and trees throughout the city perished due to the debilitating and long-standing period of little rain, and the environmental and aesthetic impact was substantial. The immediate results of the drought were dead trees, burned shrubs and overproduction of fruit and nut trees storing excess energy to survive the drought.
However, some property owners saw little impact to their mature, large trees during the drought, and believed they were spared the impact of the drought’s severity. The truth is that mature, large trees can better withstand the impact of a drought, but the trees will still experience some damage and health issues, taking longer to display the symptoms. Thus, it is critically important to protect and nurture your trees now to protect their health and vitality before the summer months ahead.
Mature and healthy trees that are subjected to a brutal drought typically do not show the same distress signs that a young tree will display right away. The larger, more established tree will take longer to show any impact from the drought, but the biggest concern for these trees is that their overall defenses are compromised because of how the drought can deplete their water and nutrients. While your mature trees might not have drooping branches or wilted leaves, their weakened defenses leave them more susceptible to insect or disease infestations. Trees exposed to drought conditions are more likely to contract tree disease or insect infestations, and are less likely to recover from them. Therefore it is vital to make sure your trees are carefully inspected and maintained by Certified Arborists who can quickly eradicate any insect or tree disease issues.
In addition, severe drought conditions can impact the most important but unseen part of your tree, which is the root system. Lack of water and nutrients over time can severely weaken the tree root system, making the tree more vulnerable to disease as well as decreasing the tree’s stability. Strong summer thunderstorms can quickly reveal weakened root systems, when their high winds are capable of toppling over large, established trees.
If you want help your trees recover from drought damage and protect them from the upcoming Houston summer heat and storms, contact the Certified Arborists of Embark Services. Their tree care experts will work with you to assess your current tree needs and make recommendations for tree care that protects your trees now and for the long-term. Your trees are a beautiful, important piece of your property investment, and Embark Services is committed to protecting their health through their tree expertise, efficient tree work and safe tree maintenance. Request a consultation or contact Embark Services directly for more information.
