With another hot and exceptionally dry summer affecting Kent, you may be spending more time watering your garden than usual. But while pots, hanging baskets and flower beds are obvious candidates for additional water, what about the trees in your garden?
For homeowners in Ashford, the answer depends largely on the age and condition of the tree.
Healthy, established trees are usually remarkably resilient and shouldn’t need regular watering. Younger and recently planted trees, however, can be much more vulnerable during prolonged periods without rain.
Do Mature Trees Need Watering?
In normal circumstances, established trees shouldn’t require regular watering. Their root systems extend much further into the surrounding soil than most garden plants, helping them access moisture during periods without rain.
During an exceptionally prolonged dry spell, however, even established trees can begin to show signs of stress.
Wilting foliage, significant leaf loss or leaves dropping considerably earlier than expected can all occur during very dry conditions. A tree already experiencing another health problem may also find it more difficult to cope with drought.
That doesn’t necessarily mean reaching immediately for the hose. If an established tree appears healthy, it will often be better adapted to the conditions than many of the other plants in your garden.
Newly Planted Trees Need More Attention
If you’ve had a new tree planted within the last few years, that’s where your attention should be focused.
New trees haven’t yet developed the extensive root systems found on mature specimens, meaning they’re much more reliant on moisture available relatively close to where they were planted.
During prolonged dry weather, thorough watering can help the moisture penetrate deeper into the soil and encourage the development of stronger roots.
Frequent light watering is generally less useful because much of the water remains close to the surface or evaporates before reaching deeper roots.
When Is The Best Time To Water A Tree?
During very warm weather, early morning is generally one of the best times to water your garden.
Temperatures are cooler and less water is lost through evaporation, allowing more moisture to reach the soil around the tree.
If morning watering isn’t practical, the evening can also be suitable once temperatures have started to fall.
Where possible, concentrate water around the root zone rather than spraying the leaves and branches. The objective is to get moisture into the soil where the tree can actually use it.
Does A Brown or Wilting Tree Need Pruning?
Not necessarily.
A tree losing leaves during prolonged dry weather doesn’t automatically require pruning, and removing branches without understanding why the tree is struggling could be unnecessary.
Changes to foliage can be caused by drought stress, but similar symptoms can also occur because of pests, disease, root problems or other environmental factors.
If you’re seeing substantial dieback, dead branches or a wider decline in the condition of a tree, a professional assessment can help identify what’s actually happening.
Can You Make Your Trees More Resilient To Dry Weather?
Looking after the soil surrounding a tree can help it retain moisture during periods of hot weather.
Mulching around the base can reduce moisture loss from the soil and competition from surrounding vegetation. Care should be taken not to pile mulch directly against the trunk.
For anyone considering planting new trees, choosing species suited to the conditions within your garden is also becoming increasingly important as hotter and drier summers place different pressures on our landscapes.
Worried About A Tree In Ashford, Kent?
If the summer heat has left you wondering whether a tree is simply stressed or showing signs of a more serious problem, About Trees can help.
We provide professional tree surgery across Ashford and the surrounding villages, helping homeowners understand the condition of their trees before recommending any work.
Visit our Tree Surgeon Ashford page to learn more about our local services or get in touch with About Trees to arrange professional advice.
