Tree News July 2023
T his April’s exceptionally dry conditions brought back memories of severe drought throughout the summer of 2022, and it felt like we were going in the same direction this spring with little rain in April and May. Thankfully, we began to catch up with a few heavy spots of rain in June and forecasted for the holiday weekend.
You will never hear me complain about rain. I prefer ample moisture over drought conditions any day. The recent rain is exactly what the doctor ordered to help drought-stressed trees and shrubs recover. Sadly, this will be too late for some trees as we are only beginning to see the effects of last year’s drought. Symptoms will become evident throughout this year and into the next.
The most apparent drought symptoms are plant mortality, but many more subtle signs are more obvious to the trained eye. This year’s noticeable symptoms include lack of flowering, smaller off-color leaves, vertical cracks on trunks and branches, particularly on the plant’s south side, and excessive seed production.
Drought conditions will subject trees to tremendous stress, and heavy seed production is triggered in some trees as a reaction to significant threatening stress. Trees need to produce seed to pass on their genes and perpetuate their kind, so when trees interpret stress from drought as a sign of the beginning of the end, they react to the impending doom by shifting their resources away from growth and focusing on the next generation.
The Native Dark American arborvitae is the most heavily laden with seed, causing branches to bend. I am preparing myself for all the calls in the late summer when all those seed pods turn brown and concerned homeowners think their trees are dying.
Trees under stress are also more susceptible to insect infestations and diseases. We are currently seeing pockets of defoliating insects, borers, mites, and several vascular diseases we haven’t seen in years. Believe it or not, diagnosing plant problems is an exciting part of this profession. If you see something peculiar, consult a Massachusetts Certified arborist to help with diagnostics and treatments to sustain our valued resources.
Never a dull moment here in New England, especially when we work with Mother Nature and all the everchanging environmental conditions she throws at us daily. Let’s hope the rain continues throughout this summer and into the fall because another drought year will have potentially devastating consequences.
Hannah Hayes
MAA, ISA & TRAQ Certified Arborist