How To Keep Trees Healthy During A Heatwave

We all love the sunshine, this time of year nothing is better than warm sun on your skin, an ice cream, a cold drink, maybe a deck chair and a little music. Sounds like bliss.The thing is, too much sun can be bad for you too. We’ve all heard the advice, make sure you wear your lotion, drink plenty of fluids, and cover your head if you’ll be out in that midday heat. Some of us (including me) have let it get too far, working away in the midday heat, not enough water, not enough shade and the next thing that comes along is sun stroke. A terrible headache, dehydration, a little dizziness. It’s incredibly bad for you. 

When it comes to our plants, we tend to notice it best in grass. Prolonged dry spells lead to brown, dried out grass, which we’ve all seen and we all recognise, but what people tend not to recognise is the symptoms of trees suffering in the heat, and what to do if you do see it. 

As heatwaves become more common, and when things get tough for the landscape it’s 

important to know that a little care can go a long way. Here's how to keep your trees healthy during a heatwave.

Water

Most people know that trees need water, but what often gets lost is just how much they need. A large tree requires a lot of energy just to sustain itself. The leaves that develop this energy using photosynthesis work overtime on a sunny day, meaning more water than usual is absorbed into the tree. It’s been estimated that a large oak tree could absorb as much as 100 gallons of water on hot, sunny days. 

What this means is that a light spray with the hose simply has no effect. The tree requires a deep soaking, potentially every few days when the sun is really scorching. At times like those a little feed in the water can go a long way too, as well as encouraging soil health and biodiversity in the soil.

If trees start dropping leaves early or the canopy looks sparse or brown, it’s time to give it a good drink.

Mulch

One of the best things you can do for tree health, especially in younger trees, is mulch. A layer of composted wood, leaf mould, or bark chips around the base of the tree (away from the trunk) provides vital nutrition as well as locking in moisture and regulating the soil temperature. 

Fruit trees, ornamentals, and newly planted trees really benefit from mulching, it acts as a suntan lotion for the soil.

Hold Off On Pruning

High summer is often not an ideal time to prune. Every cut causes a wound, which like on a person, needs to be healed. This requires energy, which as stated above, is at a premium during the summer months. This can lead some wounds to stay unhealed for longer, increasing the risk of pathogens. Removing branches also removes shade and increases stress to the tree. 

Planning Ahead 

In an ideal world, trees would be planted with long term resiliency in mind, selected species, good soil structure, good drainage etc, but that simply isn’t the case. Many trees in Kent, such as silver birch, European Beech, and some of the Maple family, struggle with prolonged hot spells, couple that with poor soil quality, especially shallow rooted clay soil (of which Kent has plenty) and we can quickly see these trees struggle. 

If you are planting, aim for species that suit the soil type you have, potentially arranging for a soil test before you plant to give you an idea of what would thrive there. Look at native oak or  hornbeam that are resilient to water stress. 

If you are planting a large plot, such as an estate or school, futureproofing becomes even more important, with irrigation systems, drought resistance, strategic shading, soil management, and rain water harvesting becoming crucial strategic elements.

Final Thoughts

Our trees do a lot for us, not just looking magnificent on the landscape but providing shade, noise dampening, cooling the garden, soaking up carbon, giving the birds and insects a place to live and feed. They aren’t just decorative, they are the cornerstone of our green infrastructure.

So the next time the thermometer starts to skyrocket, just before you plant yourself in your deckchair, turn your thoughts to your trees. A good soak, a shaded base filled with nutrition, and a little consideration, and your trees will live long healthy lives. 

If you are ever unsure of how well your trees are coping, give us a call, we are Kent locals and we do know our Ash from our elbow. We’d be happy to swing by and take a look for you. 

Southfleet Tree Services