Archives 2023

As summer drags on and temperatures continue to rise, we start getting calls about limbs falling off of otherwise healthy trees. Unlike storm or ice damage, branches falling in the middle of summer can happen unpredictably and seemingly without cause. This phenomenon is well-documented but unfortunately not well understood.

Why Do Trees Drop Branches in the Summer?

The tendency of some trees to lose large limbs during periods of high temperatures, like our North Texas summers, is generally called “sudden branch drop,” although it is also referred to as “high temperature limb failure,” and similar terms. While it is a not-uncommon occurrence during the summer, the exact cause is not known.

Underlying Causes of Sudden Limb Loss

Even if there is no consensus on what causes the phenomenon of summer limb loss, there are several factors that likely contribute to branch instability:

• Heat-related and general stress are widespread among urban trees during the summer months
• Lack of water and other nutrients because of drought conditions can cause dieback and weakening
• Internal decay
• Systemic diseases/infections

Can You Prevent Sudden Limb Drop?

Since the exact cause of high temperature limb loss is unknown, there is no guaranteed way to prevent it. However, following best practices for tree care during the summer will give your tree the best chance to recover from losing a large limb.

• Proper watering, especially during hot and dry periods, is essential
• Use mulch to regulate soil temperature and reduce competition with turf grass or other plants
• Follow recommended trimming guidelines for your trees and your area
• DO NOT USE HIGH-NITROGEN FERTILIZER which causes an imbalance in a tree’s energy reserves
• DO NOT USE “WEED AND FEED” which is formulated specifically to target plants like trees
• Ask an ISA Certified Arborist® to inspect your trees for signs of stress, disease, pests, or structural problems

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! Sudden limb drop may be unpreventable, but minimizing its effects and helping your trees thrive even during the hottest summers is easy! Our team of certified arborists and experienced tree workers can help keep your trees healthy and looking their best year-round. Contact us today to schedule an assessment!

Residents of North Texas are familiar with long, hot summers that take a toll on everyone and everything. From drinking extra water, keeping our pets cool, and making sure our air conditioners are working, summer in DFW can be a busy time. While watering our lawns is common practice, many homeowners do not think about the water needs of their trees. During a Texas summer, and especially when we are in drought conditions, providing adequate tree care is critical to helping your trees survive and thrive.

How Does Drought Affect Trees?

Trees are able to store water and nutrients and so may not show signs of drought stress immediately, at least not to a casual observer. When trees are greatly affected by lack of water, these symptoms are common:

• Yellowing, wilting and browning leaves
  • Leaves turning colors other than green (except in species that exhibit other colors of foliage) is often the first sign that something is wrong with a tree
• Leaf drop/defoliation
  • Keep in mind that some species (like live oaks and magnolias) exchange leaves throughout the year, rather than all in the fall, so some leaf drop is natural
• Dieback at the end of branches and limbs
  • As a tree loses vitality, the smaller growth is often the first to die
• Sunburn
  • As the canopy loses leaves, larger parts of the tree become exposed to sunlight
  • Constant exposure to light and heat causes damage to the outer layers of bark, which can start to die and fall off, exposing the nutrient-carrying parts of the tree to more heat and sun

Even when visible signs are not present, trees experience stress soon after their needs for water are not met. Some of the “invisible” signs of drought stress are:

• Death of fine, nutrient-absorbing roots
  • In addition to the large stabilizing roots, trees have fine, hair-like root structures in the top layers of soil that absorb water and nutrients
  • These roots die quickly when the soil around them becomes dry and hot
  • As these roos die, the tree loses its ability to take up moisture and nutrients from the soil, leading to further stress and dieback
• Reduced ability to fight off diseases and pests
  • If a tree is losing energy due to a lack of incoming moisture and nutrients, its defenses are less able to resist other attacks and stressors
  • If bark is being lost, pests that feed on the heartwood have easier access
• Stressors that are normally insignificant can become big issues
  • The impacts of unnecessary removal of green wood, damage to the canopy or root system, and stress from nearby activity (such as construction) are amplified by drought stress

What Can I Do to Help My Trees in a Drought?

Water. Water. Water!

The most important thing to do to help your trees is water them.

• A lawn sprinkler system is NOT enough to keep trees hydrated.
  • Trees need much more water than turf grass or smaller plants, and must be watered correctly, if there is to be any effect.
• North Texas Tree Watering Guide

Use Mulch to Regulate Soil Temperature and Moisture

Proper use of mulch around trees reduces the amount of watering needed and provides vital nutrients to the soil and tree roots underneath.

• How to Use Mulch

What to Avoid in a Drought (and Always!)

DO NOT Use High-Nitrogen Fertilizer

• Nitrogen stimulates rapid growth, which expends a tree’s depleted energy stores quickly

DO NOT Use “Weed and Feed” Products

• The “weed” component is a tree-targeting herbicide, and the “feed” is often a nitrogen-based growth stimulant

DO NOT Over Trim Trees

• Avoid unnecessary trimming and removing too much of the canopy, which reduces a tree’s ability to draw up moisture and exposes the branches to the sun

DO NOT Disturb the Area Under a Tree’s Canopy (Critical Root Zone)

• Digging, trenching, planting, construction, and other activity can destroy the fine, nutrient-absorbing roots and even damage larger roots, leading to instability

How Arborists Help in a Drought

Whether your tree is showing signs of lack of water, or is withstanding drought stress, proper tree care from an ISA Certified Arborist® is crucial to giving your trees the best chance to survive a drought.

• Proper trimming to remove dead or diseased wood, and provide airflow to keep the canopy cool
• Applying organic soil amendments designed to help drought-stressed trees supplement any lack of nutrients in the environment
• In cases of root damage, pest activity, or heat-related diseases, recommending plant health care programs designed to reduce stress and encourage healthy growth
• Reminding you to water!

Proper summer tree care (especially watering!) is the key to keeping fine root structures alive so that trees are able to get the water and nutrients they need to survive a drought. The top two to four inches of soil around the base of a tree and under the canopy is where a tree gets most of what it needs to grow. Keeping that area stable, watered, and cool goes a long way toward having trees that thrive even in a North Texas summer.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! The Texas drought in 2011 killed an estimated 300 million trees, including 5.6 million urban shade trees. We are keeping an eye on Texas drought conditions and adjusting our recommendations and practices accordingly. If you are concerned about your trees or have questions about how best to care for them, one of our ISA Certified Arborists® would be glad to talk to you! Contact us today!

The urban forest in North Texas has taken quite a beating over the past few years. From high winds and tornadoes in 2019 to freezes in 2021 and 2022, to varying drought conditions throughout, many trees have been damaged beyond saving. Now is the perfect time to start reforesting our community by planting hardy, long-lived trees that can thrive in our environment. Choosing the right tree to plant can be challenging, though. Many of the trees planted in recent decades are not well-suited or ideal for North Texas, and have had issues with diseases or pests, or have simply not lived as long as was hoped. Luckily, there are several types of trees in a range of sizes that can thrive here and provide years of beauty and enjoyment.

Small and Ornamental Trees

Smaller, decorative species may not be what first comes to mind when one thinks of trees, but there are several tree species that can do well in smaller yards or as part of more developed landscaping. Whether native or nativized, the trees on this list generally do not get bigger than about 25 feet and are a perfect choice when there is not a lot of room to spare. To see our previous list of top ten ornamental trees, visit this post.

• Texas Mountain Laurel
  • Drought- and frost-tolerant, the mountain laurel likes good drainage and has beautiful spring blossoms.
• Desert Willow
  • The desert willow is low-maintenance and loves full sun. Its summer flowers attract pollinators.
• Redbud
  • There are several cultivars of redbud that grow in North Texas, but keep an eye out for the Texas or Mexican redbuds, which are drought-tolerant.
• Fruit trees
  • Peach
  • Pomegranate
  • Persimmon
  • Purple-Leaf Plum

Medium-Sized Trees

If you have a little more room, but don’t want to plant a full-size canopy tree, there are several medium-sized options that can provide more shade and structure than smaller trees while still staying manageable when mature.

• Prairie (“Flameleaf”) Sumac
  • The prairie sumac is known for its brilliant red fall color and is a great native ornamental.
• Pistache
  • Most North Texas are familiar with the Chinese pistache, but there is a related Texas pistache that is a native option.
• Goldenrain Tree
  • Heat-, drought-, and poor soil tolerant, the goldenrain tree is not native to Texas, but can grow in a wide range of urban conditions.
• Yaupon
  • Sometimes seen as manicured hedges, the yaupon can naturally grow into a single- or multi-stemmed tree.

Large Trees

When most people think of a tree, this is what they picture. Growing to several stories high with a large canopy, full-size trees provide the most shade and structure and, if properly cared for, can live for decades. Large trees need a lot of room to grow, and are perfect for open yards.

• Pecan
  • The pecan is the state tree of Texas and thrives in our area. If you want to consume the nuts, be sure to keep an eye out for pecan phylloxera.
• Oak
  • While live oaks and red oaks are the most common species in North Texas, varieties like the bur oak and chinkapin are easy to find and can do very well in urban environments.
• Cedar elm
  • Cedar elm is the most common elm tree in Texas, and can be found all over the state. Cedar elms are known for their verticality and narrow canopy.
• Tulip tree
  • While tulip trees are not as common in Texas as other magnolias, they are heat- and soli-tolerant as well as pest-resistant.

Trees to Avoid in North Texas

Not all species of tree are well-suited to our local environment. While some of the trees listed below were popular in the past, they are not recommended if you are looking for a new tree to plant.

• Palm
  • Common in the southern and coastal parts of Texas, palms are not suited to North Texas soil or temperature swings.
• River birch
  • The river birch is not drought-tolerant, and most urban areas do not have high enough soil moisture for river birches to thrive.
• Bradford pear
  • The Bradford pear was once a very common landscape tree in North Texas, but many Bradford pears in the area are reaching the end of their 30-year life span, and starting to fail. Additionally, Bradford pears are prone to poor, overcrowded limb structure, which makes them more likely to split.

Whatever trees you choose, it is critical to plant at the right time and in the right way. The winter and early spring are the best times to plant, as the stress of summer heat can hit new trees hard. Proper watering is key to helping a newly-planted tree get established. Using mulch around the root zone is the best way to control soil moisture and temperature and provide organic material for soil health. In some cases, fertilization and soil amendments can be beneficial, but it is important to avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that can stimulate unsustainable new growth.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! While we don’t sell or plant trees ourselves, our ISA Certified Arborists and ISA Board Certified Master Arborists are happy to provide consultations for tree selection, placement, planting and care, and even to accompany you to a nursery to find the best stock! Contact us today to find out more!