How to Care for Your Trees During a Heatwave

1. Water Generously

The first and most effective way to help your trees survive the heat is by watering them more, both in the amount and frequency.

Heatwaves and hot seasons often dry the soil out, reducing the water content in the soil and increasing its temperature. Prevent this (or at least minimise the effects) by watering the soil of your trees and plants generously. You can start by watering them more than you usually do, especially when you notice the soil getting dry. Just remember not to overdo it – watering too much can also cause problems.

It’s best to water your trees and plants when the sun isn’t out in its full force, which is typically early in the morning or later in the evening. Also, remember to prioritise young trees and small shrubs and plant life, as these plants are usually less capable of withstanding extreme heat. Larger, more mature trees may require less extra watering because their root systems are already well-established.

And don’t forget to take extra care of trees and plants that are out and exposed to the sun all day. These plants will need more watering that those that are in shaded areas.

2. Add Some Mulch

After watering, mulching is perhaps the next best thing that you can do to protect your plant life from intense heat.

Mulch helps insulate the soil and prevent your trees and plants temperature from rising too high during heatwaves and hotter seasons. Mulch also helps your trees and plants retain moisture in their roots, helping them withstand the effects of the dry and sweltering heat that’s common in Australia.

For these purposes, we recommend using organic mulch, which will break down slower than inorganic mulch and even provide extra nutrients to the soil.

3. Put Shade Where Needed

If you have young trees and plants that are exposed to the sun all day, then you may find it helpful to put some shade on them. This will help prevent them from drying out and getting damaged from the intense heat of the sun. A good way to do this is to create canopies with screens or shade cloths that effectively block the sun.

Creating shade is especially useful for sun-sensitive plants and young trees, which are often more fragile and less resistant to the scorching sun.

4. Remove Weeds

Aside from being unsightly, weeds also take up a lot of the important water and nutrients in your soil. This is a bigger problem during heatwaves and droughts when water and nutrients are at their scarcest.

Make it easier for your trees and plants by pulling out as many weeds as possible. This will help reduce competition for the water and nutrients in your soil – not to mention make your garden look better.

Beware the Warning Signs

It can sometimes be difficult to tell whether your plants and trees are getting overly stressed by a heatwave or a particularly hot season. But if you keep an eye out for some warning signs, then you can help them survive before it becomes too late. Here are some of the warning signs you should watch out for:

  • Dry, browning leaves – These are clear signs of overexposure to the sun and not having enough water to keep themselves healthy.
  • Dry, hard soil – This is often a sign of a lack of water in the soil, which often means less water for surrounding trees and plants.
  • Falling branches – During heatwaves and extremely dry seasons, some trees may have branches that break and fall off. That’s because it becomes more difficult for some trees to store enough water in these parts during dry spells, resulting in weaker branches that are more prone to breaking.
  • Falling leaves – Aside from leaves browning and withering, heatwaves can also cause some trees to shed their leaves more than usual. With less water and dryer conditions during heatwaves, trees often have fewer resources for keeping their leaves in place.

A Little Extra Care Goes a Long Way

When caring for your plants and trees during heatwaves, a little extra care and attention can do a lot. Not only will this help your plant life survive the intense heat and dry conditions of these seasons, but a little extra care will also help you address any issues before they become even bigger problems.

Remember that your trees and plants are valuable to your property. It would be a shame to have them damaged – or worse, die – because you neglected them during these periods. By doing any of the above, you can help your plants and trees withstand the high temperatures we can expect to come every year.

As one of the top tree removal Brisbane specialists, we’ve seen our fair share of dead and dried out trees, and it’s always unfortunate removing plants or trees that we know could have been saved with a little extra care.

If you have any questions or require professional help for mulching your plants during the hotter months, please contact our team.

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