By Cynthia White
UCCE Master Gardener, Colusa County
Here we are in the heat of summer again and it’s time to take a special look at the trees in your yard. When the thermometer hits the high 90s and then 100 degrees, the stress on even mature trees must be addressed before there is damage to the tree. Timing is important, not only the time of day but the length of time you add water.
Try not to add water to landscape trees in the heat of the day. Early morning is the very best time before it gets too hot. The tree can absorb what it needs and move it through its system.
Watering in the hottest part of the day can cause the moisture to accumulate in the ends of the branches to the extent that gravity takes over and pulls the branch off due to the increased weight load on the extremities. If you are really thirsty and drink too much water at one time, you can end up with cramping and a bit of nausea. You have overloaded your body with more fluid than it can accommodate. Trees can’t go lay down and let the feeling pass as a person might. The tree is stuck with all the water weight on the ends of the branches and, if the load is too great, the limb will suddenly fall to the ground. The bigger the tree, the bigger the issue.
Trees can do so much to moderate the extreme summer heat and we must be smart about the way we deal with the issue. Water early. Water deeply. Water wisely.
One great method is to put holes in the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket and set it 3 to 4 feet from the trunk of your tree. Fill the bucket with water and allow it to percolate slowly into the soil. If it’s a large tree, use two buckets and perhaps fill each one more than once. This method won’t force too much water into the tree’s system.
Do the bucket bit at least once a week during the hottest part of the summer. Your trees are counting on you.