How to Protect Your Trees During a Heat Wave
by Taylor's Way | Dec 10, 2018 | Blog
Expert advice from our tree service Mendota, IL specialists on how to properly protect and care for your trees when temperatures soar.
Why Trees Need Extra Care in Extreme Heat
While resilient even to extreme heat and weather conditions, trees — just like humans — need to be kept safe when faced with an upcoming heat wave. Experienced landowners and gardeners know they should always keep an eye on weather forecasts to be prepared. However, sometimes heat waves slip our attention and take us by surprise. Here are the key steps our specialists recommend.
1. Watering
Transpiration is a natural process that occurs in humans, animals, and plants alike. In order to help your trees receive the amount of water necessary to compensate for transpiration and stay healthy during a heat wave, you need to offer them a proper watering program.
Newly Planted Trees
Newly planted trees need twice the water amount used in normal summer conditions. If you water a new tree once a week with a gallon of water, during a heat wave use two gallons — and water twice as often as well.
Older Trees
Older trees are more resilient, but they still need extra care. Ask your local tree service Mendota, IL specialists to assess the situation and make specific recommendations on your old trees' watering needs.
Timing & Mulching
Water trees very early in the morning to avoid rapid evaporation. Add a layer of moist mulch around each tree following the 3-3-3 rule, and refresh it as needed to keep roots cool, moist, and protected from heat, pests, and weeds.
2. Shading and Covering
Sometimes heat waves are powerful enough to scorch vegetation beyond recognition. While tree covers and shading methods are just temporary fixes — and they should remain temporary — they are also necessary to protect trees' leaves and crowns.
Ask your local tree service Mendota, IL specialists to properly install tree cloth covers and add more shade to your shrubs and bushes so they don't get sun hardened. Shade sails and tree covers should be removed once the heat wave has passed — if the vegetation gets too accustomed to shade, it will have a hard time adjusting to sunlight again.
3. Tree Maintenance
Your local tree service Mendota, IL experts can offer their expertise on proper tree pruning during a heat wave. You should prune your trees in summer, removing branches and twigs that are dry, dead, unsafe, or diseased.
Pruning your trees in summer allows them to save up their energy to thrive and handle a heat wave better. Regular tree assessments are the best way to keep your trees healthy and strong no matter the weather conditions.
Need Professional Tree Care This Summer?
Our tree service Mendota, IL specialists are ready to help you assess, protect, and maintain your trees through any heat wave. Get in touch with Taylor's Way today.
