Hot, dry summers are hard on Salina trees. City staff have pointed out that dry summers make it difficult to establish new trees, and the same conditions stress mature ones. Drought rarely kills a tree in a single season, but it weakens it, invites pests and disease and sets up failures later. This guide covers the signs, what you can do and when to call someone.
Signs of drought stress
- Leaves that wilt, curl or turn brown at the edges, called leaf scorch.
- Fall color that starts in midsummer, or leaves dropping early.
- Thin crowns, with smaller or fewer leaves than normal.
- Dead twigs and branch tips, especially in the upper crown.
- Cracked bark or sap oozing from the trunk.
- Mushrooms or insects that show up on a tree that was fine last year.
Why drought hits trees in this area
Salina summers can be hot, dry and windy, and many yard trees sit in compacted soil with turf competing for water. Fast-growing species such as Siberian elm, silver maple and cottonwood use a lot of water. Trees planted too deep, trees with roots cut by construction and trees on thin soil are hit first. A stressed tree is also more likely to drop limbs, and storm damage is worse on a tree that is already weak.
How to water a stressed tree
Water deeply and slowly, not often and lightly. A common guideline is about 10 gallons per inch of trunk diameter for each watering, spread over the root zone out to the edge of the canopy, not at the trunk. A soaker hose or a slowly running hose does this well. Water every one to two weeks in dry weather instead of a little every day. Check the soil a few inches down before you water again, since overwatering can also harm a tree.
Mulch helps
Spread two to four inches of wood chips or shredded bark in a wide ring around the tree. Keep it a few inches away from the trunk, since mulch piled against the bark causes rot. Mulch holds moisture, cools the soil and cuts competition from grass. It is one of the cheapest things you can do for a stressed tree.
What not to do
- Do not fertilize a drought-stressed tree. It pushes growth the tree cannot support.
- Do not prune heavily. Remove dead wood, but leave living leaves, since they feed the tree.
- Do not pile soil or mulch against the trunk.
- Do not assume a tree with no leaves is dead until you have checked. See dead or dying tree in Salina KS.
Drought stress and pests
Stressed trees attract borers and other pests, and some diseases take hold more easily. Ash trees add a second concern, since a thinning crown can be drought or emerald ash borer. See emerald ash borer in Salina KS for how to tell them apart and where the beetle stands in Saline County.
When a stressed tree is too far gone
If more than half the crown is dead, if the trunk has large cracks or fungus or if the tree has dropped large limbs, it may be beyond saving. Trees like that become hazards, especially near a house or line. A hazardous tree assessment in Salina KS will tell you whether to keep nursing it along or take it down.
Plan ahead for the next dry year
Watering before drought gets bad is easier than recovery afterward. Prune dead wood in winter with tree trimming in Salina KS, mulch every spring and replace short-lived or thirsty species with sturdier ones. If you plant new trees, expect to water them for the first two or three years.
Common questions about drought and trees
How often should I water a mature tree in dry weather?
Deeply, about every one to two weeks when rain is scarce, soaking the soil out to the edge of the canopy. Check the soil a few inches down first. If it is still moist, wait. A lawn sprinkler running for ten minutes does not reach tree roots.
Should I water trees in winter?
In a dry winter, an occasional deep watering on a mild day can help, especially for young trees and evergreens. Do not water when the ground is frozen, and do not overdo it.
Do lawn sprinklers water my trees?
Not well. Frequent shallow watering wets only the top few inches, where grass roots are, and does little for deeper tree roots. Deep, slow watering less often is better for trees.
How long does it take a tree to recover from drought?
Often a year or more. Damage can show up the season after the drought, with dieback and smaller leaves. Keep watering, mulch and wait before you decide a tree is lost, unless it is clearly dead or dangerous.
What about newly planted trees?
New trees have small root systems and need regular deep watering for the first two or three years, especially in Salina’s hot summers. City staff have noted that dry summers make it hard to establish new trees, so do not skip it.
Need help with a tree in Salina KS?
If you want a professional to look at a tree, request a free tree service quote in Salina KS. Describe the tree, where it stands and what worries you, and send photos if you can. You can also print the tree check checklist for Salina KS homeowners to walk your property first, or read the tree service FAQ for Salina KS.
