Summer Stress Isn't Over: Here's What to Watch for This Fall Seasonal Care Tree & Shrub Care Submitted by Elisa Edelstein The heat may have broken, but for your trees, shrubs, and lawn, it may just be beginning the hardest part of the season. Across the country this summer, landscapes faced extended drought, intense heat, and varying conditions that stress trees, shrubs, lawns, and ornamentals. As cooler weather arrives, it is tempting to assume your landscape has moved on, but that may not be the case just yet. One challenge of drought stress is that symptoms often appear after damage has already begun. By the time leaves show visible signs of struggle, a plant may have been under pressure for quite some time. Fall is the window where you can still catch lingering summer stress and help your landscape recover before winter sets in. How summer stress affects your trees in fall Trees and shrubs utilize stored energy. Through a demanding summer, they draw down carbohydrate reserves to survive heat and limited moisture, and those reserves take time to refill. A property that made it through a hot, dry stretch can head into fall with less stored energy than it should have, which affects functions such as root growth and next spring's leaf-out. Stress can also compound over the season. A healthy tree can often defend itself against environmental challenges. A stressed tree has fewer resources available to do so. That is why summer-weakened plants are more attractive to insects and more exposed to potential disease. Secondary pests such as tree borers, scale, and opportunistic fungi tend to move in on plants that are already stressed out, and fall is often when that damage becomes visible. What to watch for this fall Take a walk around your property and look at each tree and shrub from a distance first, then move in closer. Signs that summer stress is affecting your property include: Thinning canopies or light showing through where the crown used to be full Early leaf drop or premature fall color that arrived ahead of schedule Browning along leaf edges, often called leaf scorch Dieback at branch tips or bare branches on an otherwise leafed-out tree Reduced growth and overall loss of vigor Bark cracks, sunken discolored patches, or fine sawdust near the base, which can point to insects or disease taking hold Check the condition of your soil. Push a finger a couple of inches into the ground under the canopy. If it is dry, your plants are still working with less moisture than they need, even after the heat has passed. Why fall is the right time to act Fall is one of the most effective time periods for tree and shrub care. As top growth slows, roots stay active, and plants shift their focus to below-ground development and rebuilding reserves for winter and the season ahead. Strategic, seasonal care now means fewer issues in spring and healthier, more resilient trees year-round. For trees, shrubs, and ornamentals struggling with early defoliation, slow growth, or yellowing leaves, you may need to apply biostimulants or deep-root fertilization. The work you do in fall will benefit the tree for seasons to come. How fall fertilization and recovery support struggling trees SavATree's approach to fall recovery centers on three complementary mechanisms your ISA Certified Arborist may recommend after evaluating your property. ArborHealth® is SavATree's proprietary slow-release fertilizer formulated specifically for trees and shrubs. The blend supplies essential macro- and micronutrients, along with sea kelp and compounds that support root development, and carbohydrates that feed the soil microbial community. Importantly for this time of year, there are two types of ArborHealth® fertilizer, a spring mix and a fall mix, each formulated with the timing in mind to provide the best nutrients and additives the plant needs at that point in time. Because the formulation releases nutrients gradually, a single treatment can support a tree or shrub through a longer stretch of the growing season. ArborKelp® is SavATree's exclusive seaweed-based biostimulant, used to complement fertilization. Applied to a tree or shrub's root zone, ArborKelp® encourages fine root development, supports nutrient uptake, and raises stress tolerance during dry weather and drought. That makes it well suited for plants recovering from a difficult, hot summer. When trees and shrubs face long-term stress from declining vigor, repeated insect pressure, drought damage, or compacted soils, SavATree ISA Certified Arborists often recommend ArborHealth® and ArborKelp® together so nutrients and improved root function work together for the best outcome. ArborWatering addresses the moisture your landscape still needs. Even after the heat breaks, trees may still be feeling the effects of a dry stretch, especially in semi-arid and dry regions. SavATree's ArborWatering and Recharge® services provide slow, deep hydration directly to the root zone where it is most effective, which helps support recovery and reduce stress, especially for recently planted trees or in soil that doesn't hold moisture well. Deep watering encourages deeper, more drought-resistant roots, building resilience for the seasons to come. What to do for your lawn this fall Turf carries summer stress into fall too, often as thin, patchy areas and stubborn weeds. Drought weakens desirable grass and opens the door for insects such as grubs. Post-drought conditions can create a second wave of weed activity, as weed seeds that remained dormant during dry periods germinate quickly when moisture becomes available. Fall is the time to rebuild soil health, address bare areas, and support stronger roots so your lawn can compete next spring. When to call an ISA Certified Arborist Because summer stress can mimic insect or disease problems, and because symptoms often surface belatedly, a professional evaluation is the most reliable way to know what your landscape needs to thrive through fall and into winter. A SavATree ISA Certified Arborist can assess plant health on-site, distinguish lingering stress from a developing insect or disease issue, and recommend whether ArborHealth®, ArborKelp®, ArborWatering, or a combination is the right fit for your property. Summer may be over, but its effects are not. Fall is your chance to help your landscape recover on your terms, not winter's. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an expert arborist.