Emergency Tree Removal
North Carolina summers are not for the faint of heart. With long stretches of intense sunshine, soaring temperatures, and periods of little rainfall, our landscape quickly feels the strain, and your trees are no exception. While trees are naturally resilient and well-adapted to seasonal changes, extreme heat and drought conditions can push them beyond their limits if they’re not properly cared for and if they are thirsty!
Make sure you can recognize the signs of heat stress in your trees and know how to help them withstand the summer season so that they continue to thrive year after year.
What Is Heat Stress in Trees?
Trees stay cool through a process called transpiration. This is essentially the tree’s version of sweating. Water is pulled up from the roots, travels through the trunk, and evaporates through tiny pores in the leaves called stomata. This evaporation keeps the leaf tissue cool and allows the tree to continue the vital work of photosynthesis.
Heat stress occurs when a tree loses more water through its leaves than it can absorb through its roots. During hot, dry weather, this imbalance can happen quickly, especially if the soil is compacted or dry. In North Carolina, our clay-heavy soils can exacerbate heat stress in trees. This is because, when clay dries out, it becomes hard and compacted, making it difficult for water to reach the roots and even harder for roots to breathe.
When a tree is under heat stress, it essentially goes into survival mode. Growth slows, energy is conserved, and the tree may shed leaves or shut down certain functions to reduce water loss. While this response can help the tree survive short-term stress, prolonged exposure can weaken its overall health, making it more susceptible to pests, diseases, and structural issues.
Common Signs of Heat Stress
While your trees can’t tell you directly that they’re thirsty, they can be very expressive with their foliage and bark. If you notice any of the following symptoms, your tree is likely struggling with the NC summer heat:
- Browning or crunchy leaves
- Irregular yellowing of a tree’s leaves or needles
- Drooping and wilting leaves and branches
- Dropping of leaves
- Summer branch drop — most common in oaks
- Early coloring of leaves — most common in maples
Leaf Scorch
One of the most obvious signs of tree heat stress is scorching. This typically appears as browning or yellowing along the edges of leaves, often accompanied by a dry, brittle texture. It basically indicates the furthest tips of the tree aren’t getting enough water to survive the sun’s rays.
Wilting and Drooping Leaves
Just like a potted plant, a heat stressed tree will often look tired. You may notice leaves hanging limply or curling inward. Some trees will even wilt slightly during the hottest part of the afternoon to conserve moisture and then perk up at night. However, a tree that remains wilted in the cool of the morning is in urgent need of assistance.
Premature Leaf Drop or Branch Drop
Have you ever noticed an oak dropping yellow leaves in mid-July? This could be the tree’s survival tactics kicking into high gear. By shedding its leaves (or branches, in the case of river birch, willows, and cherry trees), the tree is reducing its surface area to minimize water loss. It is essentially triaging its limbs, letting go of some foliage to save the core of the tree.
Cracking or Splitting Bark
When a tree becomes dehydrated, its bark can lose elasticity, leading to visible damage. This not only affects the tree’s appearance but also creates entry points for pests and pathogens.
How to Protect Your Trees From Heat Stress
The good news is that there are several proactive steps you can take to keep your trees healthy during the summer heat.
Follow these steps for preventing heat stress in your trees:
- Water Your Trees: Water weekly for newly planted trees and during drought conditions. If possible, water out to the drip line, which extends as far out as the edge of the tree’s canopy. You should also water your trees in the early morning to allow the moisture to soak in before the heat of the day causes evaporation.
- Add a Layer of Mulch: Mulch enables the soil to maintain a cooler temperature and retain moisture in the summer months. Use shredded wood mulch on trees and shrubs to a depth of 2 to 4 inches. Keep the mulch at least 6 inches away from the tree’s trunk, as mulch piled against the base of the tree can cause decay.
- Avoid Nitrogen-Heavy Fertilizers: Don’t fertilize trees with high nitrogen fertilizers during hot and dry periods. Excess salt concentration can burn the feeder roots and overstimulate growth on an already stressed tree. Our custom fertilizer blend, Arborplex, has a balanced amount of nitrogen and is best applied in the spring or fall.
- Monitor Soil Compaction: If the ground around your tree is as hard as a brick, water will simply run off the surface. Consider investing in root invigoration to break up the clay and allow the roots to access the water you’re providing.
After the extreme heat has passed, observe your tree closely. Are the leaves perking up? If not, you may need to consult a certified arborist for advice on tree care.
Call an Arborist to Keep Your Trees Thriving All Summer Long
While many heat stress issues can be managed with proper care, there are times when professional help is the best solution. If your trees are experiencing significant leaf loss or displaying signs of structural damage, it’s time to call in an expert.
A certified arborist can assess your trees’ overall health, identify underlying problems, and recommend targeted treatments. At Heartwood Tree Care, we offer comprehensive plant health care services, including soil evaluations, deep root fertilization, pest management, and strategic pruning, to address stress factors and promote long-term vitality. So, don’t wait for minor stress to turn into extensive damage. Contact our team in Charlotte, Lake Norman, or Asheville, NC, for expert guidance and support.