Are Your Trees High-Maintenance or Low-Maintenance During a Drought? Seasonal Care Tree & Shrub Care Summer brings longer days, warmer temperatures, and more time spent outdoors enjoying your landscape. But it can also bring extended periods of heat and drought that place significant stress on trees, shrubs, and ornamentals. This is especially true after a spring that brings drought conditions and warmer-than-usual temperatures. While some plants can tolerate dry conditions with little intervention, others require additional care to remain healthy. In many ways, landscapes behave much like homes or vehicles. Some landscapes are naturally more resilient during drought, while others require additional care to remain healthy when conditions become challenging. Understanding which plants on your property are most vulnerable to drought can help you prioritize care, conserve water, and protect the long-term health and beauty of your property. What makes a tree high maintenance during a drought? Not all trees respond to drought the same way. Some species have deep, extensive root systems that help them access moisture during dry periods. Others have shallow roots or higher water requirements, making them more susceptible to stress. Trees and shrubs that often require additional attention during drought conditions include: Newly planted trees and shrubs Trees with shallow root systems Trees growing in compacted soils Specimen ornamentals with high moisture needs Plants that are already stressed by insects, disease, or construction activity Species such as birch, Japanese maple, flowering dogwood, and certain hydrangeas may require closer monitoring during extended dry periods. Newly planted trees are particularly vulnerable because their root systems have not yet expanded enough to access moisture deeper in the soil. On the other hand, established trees that are well-adapted to local growing conditions are often more resilient. That doesn't mean they are immune to drought stress, but they generally require less intervention to remain healthy. Signs of drought stress in trees and shrubs One of the challenges of drought stress is that symptoms often appear after damage has already begun. By the time leaves start showing visible signs of stress, the plant may have been struggling for weeks. Common signs of drought stress include: Wilting or drooping foliage Browning along leaf edges, often called leaf scorch Premature fall color during summer Early leaf drop Thinning canopies Dieback at branch tips Reduced growth and vigor Drought stress can also make trees more attractive to insects and more susceptible to disease. A healthy tree can often defend itself against environmental challenges. A stressed tree has fewer resources available to do so. That's why early detection and proactive care are important. How to protect your landscape during summer drought The good news is that many drought-related problems can be minimized through proper care and planning. Water deeply and strategically One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is watering too frequently and too lightly. Deep watering encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, where moisture remains available longer. Shallow watering encourages roots to stay near the surface, making plants more vulnerable during hot weather. When possible, water slowly and deeply around the root zone rather than applying frequent light irrigation. Apply mulch A layer of organic mulch helps conserve soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce competition from weeds. Apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch around trees and shrubs, keeping it away from direct contact with the trunk. Avoid creating a mulch "volcano," which can trap moisture against the bark and contribute to decay. Mulch acts as a protective blanket for roots and is one of the simplest ways to improve drought resilience. Prioritize your most valuable plants During severe drought conditions, it may not be practical to provide supplemental water to every part of the landscape. Focus on protecting: Newly planted trees and shrubs Mature specimen trees Valuable ornamental plantings Trees showing early signs of stress These plants often represent the greatest investment and provide the greatest long-term value to your property. Avoid additional stress Summer drought is not the ideal time for unnecessary stress on plants. Avoid damaging roots through construction activity or excessive soil disturbance. Maintaining stability allows trees to devote more energy toward surviving difficult conditions. Monitor for secondary problems Drought-stressed plants often become more vulnerable to insects and disease. Regular inspections can help identify developing issues before they become serious. What begins as drought stress can quickly turn into a larger plant health problem if left unaddressed. Regional drought considerations across the country While drought can affect landscapes across the country, the impact varies based on regional climate, soil conditions, and plant species. Pacific Northwest Homeowners in the Pacific Northwest often think of their region as wet, but summers can be surprisingly dry. Trees such as Douglas fir, western red cedar, and bigleaf maple may experience stress during prolonged dry periods, particularly in urban environments where soil conditions are less than ideal. Deep watering during extended summer droughts and maintaining mulch around root zones can help reduce stress and support long-term health. In some cases, targeted fertilization may help support tree health and recovery when recommended by an arborist. Rocky Mountain Region In the Rocky Mountain region, limited precipitation and high elevations can create challenging growing conditions. Colorado blue spruce, aspen, and honey locust are commonly affected by drought stress, particularly when combined with heat and insect pressure. Monitoring soil moisture and providing supplemental watering during prolonged dry periods can help trees maintain vigor and resilience. California California landscapes are no strangers to drought. Long-term water shortages and recurring drought conditions can create chronic stress for trees and shrubs. Even drought-tolerant species may struggle during extended periods of water restriction. Maintaining healthy soils, improving water efficiency, and reducing unnecessary competition for moisture are critical strategies for preserving tree health. Northeast The Northeast has experienced increasingly frequent summer heat waves and intermittent drought conditions. Trees such as red maple, birch, and flowering dogwood can develop leaf scorch, premature leaf drop, and canopy thinning when moisture becomes limited. Supplemental watering and proper mulching can help reduce stress and improve recovery. Southeast Although the Southeast often receives substantial annual rainfall, periods of intense heat combined with inconsistent precipitation can still create drought stress. Southern magnolia, flowering dogwood, and other ornamental species may require additional attention during particularly dry summers. Monitoring moisture levels and maintaining healthy root zones are key to protecting trees and shrubs throughout the season. Midwest The Midwest can experience periods of drought even in years with average rainfall. Extended heat and inconsistent precipitation can stress trees such as maple, oak, birch, and spruce. Monitoring soil moisture, maintaining mulch, and providing supplemental watering during prolonged dry periods can help protect tree health and reduce stress-related insect and disease issues. What if your state isn't in drought? Not every region is experiencing drought conditions right now. Homeowners in states like Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Nebraska, and Rhode Island may be seeing adequate rainfall this season, which is good news for landscapes that have been under pressure in recent years. That said, a return to normal precipitation doesn't always mean trees have fully recovered. Many of these regions are still working through the effects of previous drought cycles, and root systems, soil moisture reserves, and overall tree vitality can take more than one season to rebound. Trees that were weakened by prior drought may still be more susceptible to insects, disease, and secondary stress even when conditions look favorable on the surface. If your area has seen recent rainfall after a period of drought, this is an ideal time to assess your landscape. An experienced ISA Certified Arborist® can help evaluate whether your trees are on a healthy recovery track or still carrying residual stress that warrants attention. Can trees recover from drought stress? In many cases, yes. Trees are remarkably resilient and can often recover when drought stress is identified early and addressed appropriately. A tree's ability to recover depends on several factors, including: Tree species Age and overall condition Severity and duration of drought Soil conditions Follow-up care The sooner drought stress is identified, the better the chances of preserving long-term tree health. Because drought symptoms can resemble insect or disease issues, a professional evaluation can help determine the underlying cause and identify the most effective course of action. Protect your landscape before drought stress takes hold Summer drought doesn't affect every landscape equally. Understanding which trees and shrubs require additional attention—and recognizing the signs of stress early—can help protect the beauty, value, and health of your outdoor space. If you're concerned about drought stress or want to improve your landscape's resilience, schedule a complimentary consultation with your local SavATree ISA Certified Arborist. We'll evaluate your trees, shrubs, and ornamentals and recommend science-based solutions tailored to your landscape's specific needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an expert arborist.