Is it a case of an off year for your trees or something more to be concerned about? You may be seeing leaves with brown edges come on strong while the summer is hardly under way, and what were once lush specimens now appear thin and fatigued.
Bay Area property owners put such questions to us frequently and they should be heeded. We at ArborTech Inc. have 30 years of experience tending to trees in and around San Francisco and can tell you how fast a tree under stress will go downhill. Should you have any misgivings about a tree on your land, we can be reached at (510) 913-9912.
For all its beauty, this region has dry summers and the occasional drought that exact a toll on one’s trees. A flower will right itself after a thorough watering but the harm done to a tree by drought can persist for years. The earlier the warning signs are identified, the better off you will be.
Why Bay Area Trees Struggle With Drought
Take the cities of Fremont, Oakland and Walnut Creek: a good number of the trees there were put in during wetter times or in an irrigated landscape. Then comes a drop in rainfall and water restrictions and they are left to make do with much less. Even the native, drought-hardy varieties have their limits.
The trouble is one does not always see the impact of a parched year immediately. It is possible for a tree to present well one season and exhibit serious symptoms the following. Hence the value of being attentive from the start.
What to Look For as an Early Warning
You can put a stop to trouble before it is set in stone if you are aware of the symptoms, some of which are not obvious until the problem has progressed. Homeowners are advised to be on the lookout for:
- Leaves that wilt or droop and fail to perk up when evening cools in
- Yellowing or browning of the leaf edges to the point of looking scorched
- Foliage being shed long before autumn
- A canopy that is thinning out with leaves of below average size
- Leaves that curl or cup inward
- Soil at the base of the tree that is hard and cracked
- Fall color in the height of summer
One of these could be indicative of water stress; several in concert is a sure sign the tree requires assistance.
Long-Term Stress Will Show in More Serious Ways
Prolonged drought takes its toll below the surface of the leaves and the tree is then prone to failure or to becoming host to disease and pests. Some of the more pronounced indications are:
- Dieback of branches from the tips inwards
- Splitting or peeling of the bark
- Exposed trunk and limbs with scalded or sunburned patches
- Boring insects and the like making an appearance
- Fungal growth at the base, a harbinger of decline
- Canopy sections that simply do not leaf out
An arborist can make all the difference in evaluating a tree in such shape and determining if it can be saved.
How to Lend a Hand
A tree that has been stressed by drought is not necessarily beyond repair. Roots will grow deeper where moisture lingers if given an infrequent but deep watering rather than a light sprinkling. Put down some mulch at the base to keep roots cool and retain water. In a drought year it is best to leave heavy pruning alone so the tree can hold on to its energy.
Then again, a young ornamental in Palo Alto is not the same as an old oak in Berkeley. An assessment by a professional is the prudent thing to do.
Put in a Call to Your Local Arborist
We have been in the Bay Area for some 30 years as a locally run, ISA-affiliated firm. From Livermore and Daly City to Hayward and San Leandro and further afield, we provide our tree, landscaping and hardscaping services to homes and businesses alike. We are available for free estimates Monday to Friday 8:30 to 4:30 and have 24/7 emergency hours.
Do not let the damage get worse if you see any of the above. Get in touch with ArborTech Inc. at (510) 913-9912 and we will put our expertise to work protecting the trees of your property.
