Category Extreme Weather

Live Oaks are native North Texas trees which makes them well adapted to the variety of soil types found here. Despite being acclimated to the soil systems here, live oaks can still be stressed by extreme weather. 

If it’s been more than 12-18 months since your last structural assessment by a certified arborist, now is the time to schedule. Preventative care is the best way to help protect your trees from limb failure from extreme weather.

Proper pruning minimizes the likelihood of limb breakage in moderate to heavy ice storms by improving the branching structure by properly distributing the added weight brought on by ice accumulating on the leaves and branches.

Live oaks are more prone to breakage during ice storms because they are evergreens which means they do not drop their leaves in the fall. Unlike other species, like pecan, they have more leaves on their branches and because of this the extra leaves provide more area coverage for water to collect and turn to ice (if cold enough) and create additional weight and stress, which can lead to limb breakage. 

In addition to proper pruning to prepare for ice storms we also recommend that prior to a huge drop in temperature to deeply water your tree if the soil does not have adequate soil moisture. If you are unsure if your soil has adequate moisture we have a video demonstrating how to check as well as proper watering techniques that can be found here.

Common signs of frost damage on a live oak are:

• Brown leaves
• Wilted leaves
• ‘Frost’ cracks on trunk and limbs

If your live oak is already stressed by drought, disease, or insect activity they may have a harder time recovering from freeze damage. Provide extra care to your tree in the years to come to help replenish stored energy that has been depleted due to stress. Mulch is a great way to help regulate temperature and add additional nutrients into the soil. Also, be patient, and closely monitor during the following spring and summer to assess next steps. 

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! The best care for your tree is preventative care. If its been more than 12-18 months since a certified arborist has done a structural assessment please contact us today.

Weather in Texas is a bit unpredictable, to the point we can predict it will be unpredictable. 

With 2021 winter storm and freeze have made everyone more aware and concerned about how to protect trees from freeze and the stress of extreme weather.

What can you do to help protect your trees from freeze damage?

We say this a lot but the best way to protect your trees from the effects of freeze is to water and use mulch. In addition, do not over-prune your trees.

Sounds so simple yet it often gets overlooked.

During winter people tend to think we do not need to water our trees because it is no longer hot. This isn’t true. Yes, it is cooler but your trees still need water. We are still in a drought.

If you need tips on how to water your tree you can find our video here: How to Water a Tree During a Drought

Mulch is always beneficial as long as it is done right. For best practices, you can find our blog here: How to Use Mulch

Why is watering and mulch so important?

Watering helps insulate the tree from freeze damage, I know it may sound counterintuitive but think of it this way. During a freeze, it is recommended to leave your faucets running to ensure they don’t freeze and burst. Same idea, it keeps the tree’s living system running and will help regulate your tree.

• Drought-stressed plants are more at risk to cold damage.
• Watering a couple of days prior to a freeze is beneficial for optimal plant uptake and utilization prior to a large drop in temperature.
• Helps insulate both the tree and the soil. Out of the entire tree, roots are more susceptible to freezing if not adequately insulated by moist soil and mulch.

Mulch helps insulate the roots and provide additional nutrients. This makes a difference for urban trees because they are often in competition for resources with turf grass or surrounded by concrete. Trees in a forest are insulated by fallen leaves and tiny plants that serve as ground cover. Whatever we can do to help mimic what is found in a forest will always help the health of a tree.

• This is especially helpful for young trees. Mulch helps retain moisture to insulate as well as protect from soil cracking that could encourage root dehydration.

Why is over-pruning your tree so harmful?

• You are taking away its food source and essentially starving your tree. They have fewer leaves to help produce energy and will suffer more stress during harsh weather conditions. 
• Without the extra foliage, you are exposing the tree. Think of the internal branches as a sweater and the saying; there is no bad weather, but bad clothes. The leaves help regulate temperature in the interior canopy. 
• When there are leaves only on the tip of a branch and not down its entire length they are at higher risk of breaking due to wind. This is because it disrupts the load distribution of the branch. Evergreens are especially at risk of breaking due to ice if over-pruned. 

Additional information about sudden temperature change:

• Temperature change is the least controllable environmental factor in landscapes.
• Trees are more susceptible to injury if the temperature drops quickly rather than slowly over several days.
• Trees can be injured or killed by low temperatures almost any season of the year, but the most critical periods are:
  • Quick extreme temperature fluctuations
  • The coldest portion of winter
  • When minimum temperature occur after a warm winter period even though plants had been at a maximum hardiness earlier (this is typical North Texas weather).
• Avoid high nitrogen fertilization.

The best way to protect your tree from freeze damage is to water regularly, apply mulch, and do not over-prune.

If you have questions about what to do post-freeze damage please read our previous blogs:

• Storm Tips
• Signs of Freeze
• What to do if Your Tree Hasn’t Recovered From Freeze-Damage
• What to do with Freeze-Damaged Ash and Elm Trees
• How to Help Oak and Elm Trees from Freeze-Damage
• Can Palm Trees Survive Freezing Weather?
• Can Live Oaks Survive Freezing Weather?
• How to Help Your Trees Recover from Freezing Weather

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we believe that the more people learn about their trees, the better we can serve our community. We hope this article has helped answer your questions about protecting trees from freeze damage. If you have any specific questions, let us know, and we’ll be happy to send an arborist out to evaluate your needs and offer our suggestions and expertise.

True or false, sprinkler systems are enough to water your tree?

False, sprinklers are designed to water your sod not your tree.

Amy Heath, Owner of Texas Tree Surgeons and ISA Board Certified Master Arborist® provides tips on how to water your tree effectively.

You can find more info on how to water your trees here, and here.

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!